2012 Lottery

[admin]

Did you get awarded a license in the first round? Out of eight people I know applied only one got a license and it was his fifth choice.

[jpatz18]

Sorry to hear that its getting harder every year. 1&2nd week ex got first i got 2nd at hell n blazes...

[Crimson Raptor]

Lucked out in first round for STA 3/4 East for season 2. Last gator season, 3 of us put in for STAs and 3 out of 3 drew first round permits. This season, only 1 out of 5 of us drew anything on 1st phase and that was me. I don't know if that means they distributed less tags for the STAs or more people are putting in for tags. Maybe too many fans of Swamp People are putting in for permits?

[admin]

I think its more interest due to Swamp People. But on the permit availability you can see how many tags were available and how many were allotted for each hunt. You can find it on FWC web site under "Limited Entry Hunts" there is a menu selection for 'Drawing Results".

Or go to the following: https://hfwa.centraltechnology.net/fl_quota/

Hope there's a good selection for phase 2.

[Crimson Raptor]

There are definitely some leftovers for Phase II. Not a lot, but they're there. I think every leftover permit is going to sell tomorrow morning in Phase II.

Which brings up another question I hope you can answer:

Does you know if the Phase III tags come out of the original allotment of permit/tags from Phase I and II or does FWC set aside additional tags for areas depending on the population?

For example, I have drawn STA 3/4 East for season 2. When all STA 3/4 East permits sell out tomorrow at Phase II, does that mean there will be no additional tags for that area or do they have add'l tags specifically for Phase III?

I posted this question over at Florida Fish and Hunt, too.

Thanks.

[admin]

What you see listed in the "Quota" column is all there is, that would only change if there was some unforeseen event. And besides FWC would want them all gone in the 1st or especially the 2nd so they will collect the max dollars. Third draw you can buy additional permits at $62 if you already have one at full price. My guess is most bought in third are as additional permits.

In the past there have been quite a few left for the third, though most were not prime or preferred areas.

Yep, looks like a decent selection for tomorrow.

Hope that helps....

[admin]

As of the end of the day only 330 tags still remain. After the first hour all non county tags were done. Currently I would think that tags in round three will be hard to get, if they are not already gone. Right now, Saint Johns County has the most left. I would like to pick one up as an extra. My daughter is getting ready to go to College in Jacksonville and I would like a place to go that is close to where she is. She will be golfing for UNF and will not have much time during the gator season so somewhere close would be nice. Will be hard to top her experience last year harpooning one 12’ 2” when I do not know the area that well. Will be keeping my fingers crossed.

[Crimson Raptor]

Only one of my 3 hunting buddies was able to snag a Phase II tag for STA1W-South. Not the best of the STAs, but he wasn't complaining. At least we'll have 4 tags between 5 of us. I don't see much promise in a Phase III tag.

[hnt4]

Boy what a frenzy, phase 2 tags were disappearing fast. I got real lucky and was able to get one for myself as well as help a couple friends get theirs. There's hardly any left for 3rd phase. I guess we can send a big thanks to "Swamp People" for that.

All of you that are first time Florida hunters, make sure you read the rules carefully. Florida rules are a lot different than Louisiana - "Swamp People" rules.

[admin]

Well only 299 left. Maybe there will be a few left for round three. I bet if ther is all will be gone within a few minutes if there are. Maybe they should have left orange lake available. Lake was full of four and five footers that make good hide gators. Not much of a fight but can pay the tags back. Anyone one that has been on the lake at night knows that they can go dizzy looking at all of the eyes. Finding a big set is tough though.