Zero Tolerance for Game a Fish Law Violators

With the strong support of the Florida Wildlife Federation, the 2006 Legislature passed a new law (Section 372.83, Florida Statutes) which shall, if strictly enforced, go a long way in eliminating those who break our fishing and hunting laws. This new law went into effect on July 1, 2006. The days of slap on the wrist penalties are over.

In sum, here is how it works:

The new law applies to all who hunt and fish, both salt and freshwater.

The first time a person is convicted of violating a hunting or fishing rule or law, the old sanction applies - up to $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

If a person is convicted a second time within 3 years of the first, the fine is from $250 to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail.

If a person is convicted a third time within 5 years of the first, it is a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to one year in jail, and ALL HUNTING, FRESH AND SALTWATER FISHING LICENSES LICENSES shall be SUSPENDED for ONE year.

If a person is convicted a fourth time within 10 years of the first, it a fine of $750 to $1,000, up to one year in jail, and ALL HUNTING, FRESH AND SALTWATER LICENCES shall be SUSPENDED for THREE years.

IF YOU HUNT OR FISH UNDER A SUSPENDED LICENSE, you shall pay a fine of $1,000 and shall have ALL LICENSES SUSPENDED for an additional FIVE years.

Two other parts of this new law are very important as to enforcement -

1) The law is RETROACATIVE. If a person was convicted within the three year time period prior to the violation, it counts towards the above penalties.

2) A conviction for the purposes of this new law is anything but a dismissal or finding of Not Guilty. Thus, if a person pleads or has plead No Contest or has adjudication withheld, that counts as a conviction.

3) Florida has joined of the Wildlife Violators' Compact with all states west of the Mississippi River and some eastern states, including Georgia. If your license is suspended in Florida, it is also suspended in all other Compact states.

The Federation, which supports hunting and fishing in Florida, and wishes to see these activities continue, believes we can eliminate the poachers and fish hogs from our woods and waters. Please call WILDLIFE ALERT at 1 888 404-3922 or go to http://myfwc.com/law/alert/ to report a violation.

WWW http://www.fwfonline.org