lake monroe wma

[billybadfeet]

Im moving to deltona fl. from homestead fl. i was wondering if it was legal to hunt the boat inside lake monroe wma.(i dont see anything on myfwc that says no vessels and google maps seems to have airboat trails though it) what other areas near deltona legal to run. i would love to run it with someone that knows the area if willing to show me. thanks

 

[mojoe]

General area regulations:

10. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat, which is under power is prohibited until power, and movement from that power, has ceased.

Dogs:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during the general gun and migratory game bird seasons and dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.



Damn hard to legally kill a deer with an airboat if you can’t run dogs and you can’t “herd” wildlife from a running boat.

I guess you may be riding along and see a nice buck grazing near by. Then stop and shut off the motor and that buck continue to graze and allow you to get a gun out and take a safe and well placed shot. I guess :scratch:

 

[billybadfeet]

Im pretty sure #10 is law for all "airboat hunt friendly" areas. so maybe i should have asked if (4. Use or possession of all-terrain vehicles, swamp buggies or tracked vehicles is prohibited.) excluded the use of airboat being they are vessels not vehicles?

 

[L.H.Cracker]

You are not allowed to opperate boat,atv or any vehicle inside the wma.there are Airboat trails that follow the perimeter of the wma but st.John's water management has signs clearly marked where you're not supposed to drive beyond.Foot traffic only.There are 3 parking areas with foot trails leading in from Reed Ellis Rd.The roads and trails you see inside are made by the Cattleman who has the cow and hog lease.They can opperate their vehicle of choice including Airboats in there but they pay a pile of money to do so.

 

[billybadfeet]

thank you l.h cracker, Im just looking for somehwere to run after i move. looks like the upper st johns might be closest or the kissimmee chain

 

[mojoe]

The question is, what do you mean by “hunt the boat”?

If you mean using the airboat as a way to access places to still hunt, then yes, Monroe and Upper St John’s are exactly what you are looking for.

The rule against “herding” makes it illegal to beat the brush in an attempt to jump game, run them down and shoot them. The part about “until power and movement from that power has ceised” is for hunters using dogs. The airboat is a legal way to get in front of the dogs and then stop in an attempt to ambush the game being herded by the dogs.

In areas that are you are allowed to dog hunt, “hunting the boat” is legal while using dogs. Because it is difficult to know wether a boat beating the brush is actually running dogs or just beating the brush, beating the brush and run n gunning is common in some of those areas. Not legal, just common.

In areas where dogs are prohibited, “hunting the boat” is not common. It is clear that you have the intent to break the law to anyone listening. You will have the undivided attention of everyone, including any law enforcement nearby.

Now if your idea of “hunting the boat” means trail riding during legal shooting hours in hopes a big buck will be grazing near by so that you can stop, shut down the boat, grab a gun and then make a safe and well placed shot on this stud of a buck who is still standing there, your success will be dismal at best. All you will really be doing is annoying the still hunters near by.

There are a lot of great places to airboat up here. There are also some good places to hunt. It is different here than in south Florida. After a while, you, like the rest of us, will be glad you are here because of that.

 

[terrible ted]

The question is, what do you mean by “hunt the boat”?

If you mean using the airboat as a way to access places to still hunt, then yes, Monroe and Upper St John’s are exactly what you are looking for.

The rule against “herding” makes it illegal to beat the brush in an attempt to jump game, run them down and shoot them. The part about “until power and movement from that power has ceised” is for hunters using dogs. The airboat is a legal way to get in front of the dogs and then stop in an attempt to ambush the game being herded by the dogs.

In areas that are you are allowed to dog hunt, “hunting the boat” is legal while using dogs. Because it is difficult to know wether a boat beating the brush is actually running dogs or just beating the brush, beating the brush and run n gunning is common in some of those areas. Not legal, just common.

In areas where dogs are prohibited, “hunting the boat” is not common. It is clear that you have the intent to break the law to anyone listening. You will have the undivided attention of everyone, including any law enforcement nearby.

Now if your idea of “hunting the boat” means trail riding during legal shooting hours in hopes a big buck will be grazing near by so that you can stop, shut down the boat, grab a gun and then make a safe and well placed shot on this stud of a buck who is still standing there, your success will be dismal at best. All you will really be doing is annoying the still hunters near by.

There are a lot of great places to airboat up here. There are also some good places to hunt. It is different here than in south Florida. After a while, you, like the rest of us, will be glad you are here because of that.

This is true and well said.
I use my boat to get me to where i hunt along the river edges. Yes those of us who still hunt deer we hate trail riders at first and last light hours. If your in deltona look at Tiger bay still hunt area. By the way stay out of my spot but maybe we meet for lunch or take a ride. I hunt everywere i can in this area.

 

[billybadfeet]

thanks for the information guys. im just trying to get a feel for the area, i have no intentions of breaking any laws, thats why I asked here. i guess the best way to find out for sure the safe way will just to be in the stand before light opening day

 

[terrible ted]

As for actually game and airboats I have shoot hogs within minutes of an airboat passing me on a dry airboat trail but seen bucks freak when a boats started. Does not so much.