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Post by multicaudata on May 3, 2012 7:40:01 GMT -8
I'm a young collector from California, and my dad and I are planning to go on a collecting trip to Florida later this spring. I have read blanket statements about collecting like "all public land is a no-no here in FL". Are National Forests off limits to collecting in Florida?
What about Wildlife Management Areas?
Here in California, all national forests are fair game. Is it different in FL?
Thanks
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Post by jshuey on May 3, 2012 8:23:06 GMT -8
National Forests should not be an issue. Pretty much everything else in Florida is a big issue.
shuey
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Post by wingedwishes on May 3, 2012 9:09:24 GMT -8
There are also county and city parks. I have collected in county parks and I go to the park office and ask. Most of the time I get a "no" but not always. Honestly, with Florida cutting back budgets, many of the local county parks have had a 50-70% cut back in staff. They have other things to worry about. Where in Florida are you going? There are some places I may be able to suggest.
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Post by multicaudata on May 3, 2012 9:57:51 GMT -8
Thanks for the info; we'll focus on the National Forests for our northern Florida catching.
What about "white land" areas such as roadsides, vacant lot edges, church parking lots, bike paths, farm roads, etc? I have done a lot of collecting in such places elsewhere, and have caught lots of good stuff, and have never gotten in trouble for it. Would it be the same in Florida as it is everywhere else?
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Post by multicaudata on May 3, 2012 10:03:29 GMT -8
I was also thinking of going to some of those county parks. Here in CA, almost any city, county, or regional park is technically off-limits (due to blanket rules such as "it is illegal to disturb, pursue, catch, or kill wild animals"), but I have almost never gotten in trouble collecting in these parks. All such parks seem to be understaffed and rangers often don't even know the park rules.
We're going to do a fast 5-day sweep of Florida from north to south. I'm planning on mostly targeting national forests in the north, and "white land" such as roadsides and vacant lots in the south.
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Post by admin on May 3, 2012 12:41:04 GMT -8
Thanks for the info; we'll focus on the National Forests for our northern Florida catching. What about "white land" areas such as roadsides, vacant lot edges, church parking lots, bike paths, farm roads, etc? I have done a lot of collecting in such places elsewhere, and have caught lots of good stuff, and have never gotten in trouble for it. Would it be the same in Florida as it is everywhere else? I lived in Florida for 6 months. Yes indeed you can find lots of good stuff in vacant lots or just on the side of the road, even in the suburbs of Miami! Happy collecting. |
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Post by multicaudata on May 3, 2012 15:58:57 GMT -8
Clark,
Where did you catch that California Dogface shown under your name? We're looking for this aberration and would like any info on dates/locations for finding it.
Thank you
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Post by admin on May 3, 2012 16:57:09 GMT -8
Clark, Where did you catch that California Dogface shown under your name? We're looking for this aberration and would like any info on dates/locations for finding it. Thank you That's not an aberration, I don't think. They all look like that. San Bernardino Mountains, CA. Mid-July to mid-August. I've got a bunch of them in the freezer. One of these days I'm going to process them and put 'em up for auction. Stay tuned. |
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Post by mygala on May 3, 2012 17:32:58 GMT -8
Some people confuse National Forests with National Parks or National Wildlife Refuges. Just be sure to get those straight, the laws are different in each.
You sound like you know the difference, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.
Good luck collecting!
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Post by vabrou on May 3, 2012 19:29:11 GMT -8
I published the latest official position on this matter for the entire US in a 2-page pdf titled: Revisiting the noncommercial collection of fauna by U.S. National Forest visitors in 2011 This info has appeared in numerous forums and lep society publications since it's existance. pdf is attached to this post Attachments:
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Post by Chris Grinter on May 4, 2012 8:21:56 GMT -8
There are also county and city parks. I have collected in county parks and I go to the park office and ask. Most of the time I get a "no" but not always. Honestly, with Florida cutting back budgets, many of the local county parks have had a 50-70% cut back in staff. They have other things to worry about. Where in Florida are you going? There are some places I may be able to suggest. Just to clarify this point for city parks (and all non Nat. Forest places) - lack of permission does NOT equal permission. If you can't get an OK from a ranger on the phone or in person then you are not legally allowed to collect. |
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