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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will celebrate National Shooting Sports Month in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Created to encourage participation in shooting sports and emphasize firearm safety, National Shooting Sports Month will take place throughout the month of August.
“Target shooters contribute to conservation through excise taxes on archery equipment, firearms and ammunition, supporting wildlife management across the nation,” said Roger Young, FWC executive director. “I encourage anyone interested in the shooting sports to visit one of our supervised ranges and learn from our excellent staff.”
Target shooters can celebrate National Shooting Sports Month by participating in the #RangeChallenge, which is a series of target shooting activities that promote firearm safety, mentorship, training and shooting sports awareness (see ShootingSportsMonth.org and click on “Shoot #RangeChallenge” under “Target Shooters”).
“Our public shooting ranges offer world-class facilities to support the needs of recreational target shooters,” said Bill Cline, FWC section leader for Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges. “This is a great opportunity for our customers to introduce someone to the shooting sports in a fun, safe environment.”
The FWC manages 11 shooting ranges throughout the state. To find an FWC-managed range near you, go to MyFWC.com/Ranges.
FWC also has issued an executive order to modify the recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational season for greater amberjack in Gulf state waters, previously scheduled to open on Aug. 1, will now open on Sept. 1 and remain open through Oct. 31. Recreational harvest of Gulf greater amberjack will remain closed during August.
The Gulf greater amberjack stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing. The recreational season modification is consistent with the new recreational season recommended by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in Gulf federal waters. Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for greater amberjack would help prevent quota overages and mitigate risks of paybacks and seasonal closures.
For current recreational amberjack regulations, go to MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and “Amberjack.” This page will be updated with the new season dates. ¦
The post FWC celebrates Shooting Sports Month, modifies amberjack season opening first appeared on Charlotte County Florida Weekly .
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