Free Hunter Safety Class Offered In Escambia County
March 5, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Escambia County.
The class will be held at Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola. Instruction is from 6-9 p.m. March 11, 13, 25 and 27. The range portion of the class is March 29 from 7 to 10 a.m.
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling Hunter Safety Coordinator George Warthen at the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
Northview JV Baseball Beats Neal; NHS Softball Schedule Change For Tuesday
March 4, 2014
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat W.S. Neal Monday night 10-7 in East Brewton.
Northview is scheduled to host Jay, weather permitting this afternoon with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
In girls action, the junior varsity Northview versus Jay game has been canceled, with the varsity Chiefs and Royals now scheduled for 4:00, weather permitting.
Pictured: Northview’s JV beat W.S. Neal Monday in East Brewton. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join The Tate QB Club During Tuesday Night meeting
March 3, 2014
The Tate High School Quarterback Club is beginning their members drive.
Freshman parents, fans, alumni, community members, and others that want to get involved in the football program can join the Quarterback Club Tuesday. New members can join during the next Quarterback Club meeting on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. in the Tate Media Center.
March 4. Come to QB Club meeting March 4 6:30 in Tate Media Center.
Northview Lady Chiefs Win T.R. Miller Tournament
March 2, 2014
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs won the T.R. Miller Invitational Tournament this weekend in Brewton, Ala.
The Chiefs went undefeated, taking the tourney title with an 8-2 championship win over Davidson of Mobile. Other teams in the tournament were Escambia County (Atmore) High School, McGill, T.R. Miller, Uriah and W.S. Neal.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball Roundup
February 28, 2014
Here are scores from some area games Thursday night:
The 9th grade Tate Aggies beat Escambia 10-0 to improve to 3-2. The JV Aggies beat the Gators 6-5 upping their record to 5-2-1.
In the Escambia County (Ala.) Tournament, W.S. Neal beat the Flomaton Hurricanes 16-3 in five innings. Play resumes Friday afternoon at 4:00 as W.S. Neal takes on Escambia County High School (Atmore), and T.R. Miller will play Flomaton at 6:30 p.m.
Softball: Northview Beats Catholic
February 26, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat Catholic Tuesday night 14-3 in Bratt. The varsity Chiefs will take part in the T.R. Miller Tournament beginning Friday in Brewton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate, Northview
February 26, 2014
Northview’s junior varsity beat the JV Tigers of Pensacola 2-0. And in varsity action, PHS defeated Northview 3-1. The varsity Chiefs will travel to Freeport for a 4:00 district game on Thursday. For more photos, click here.
The junior varsity Aggies beat Washington 9-0 to improve to 4-2-1. Tate’s varsity beat Washington 8-3 to improve to 3-2. And Tate’s 9th grade team lost Tuesday to Navarre 6-5, dropping their record to 2-2.
Pictured: Northview takes on Pensacola High Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos and photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Split Softball Games With Holmes County In Bonifay
February 25, 2014
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs improved to 4-0 with a 11-3 win Monday afternoon over Holmes County in Bonifay. The varsity Lady Chiefs lost to Holmes County 5-3.
The varsity Chiefs will host Catholic at 5:00 Tuesday before taking part in the TR Miller Tournment February 28-March 1. The varsity and JV Chiefs will travel to Jay on March 4.
Pictured: the JV Northview Chiefs beat Holmes County Monday in Bonifay. Photo by Karen Ging for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball Takes 3 Of 4 In FL-AL Weekend Challenge
February 24, 2014
The Tate Lady Aggies softball team traveled to Panama City over the week to compete in the Florida-Alabama Challenge hosted by Chiles High School.
Tate took three out of four games and compiled a total of 54 runs the entire weekend; their only loss came by one run with a game that lasted well past midnight. The Lady Aggies played against teams from Miami, Tallahassee, and Montverde, FL.
Bridget Dall and Casey McCrackin both hit two home runs; Rachel Wright, Kaylen Rowell, and Tori Perkins all had single shots over the fence. Lauren Brennan (.750) and Casey McCrackin (.600) led the Aggies at the bat the entire weekend.
Tate will play rival West Florida this Wednesday (make-up game) night at Tate than travel to Navarre Friday night for a district game.
Pictured: Tate Florida-Alabama Challenge home run hitters: Rachel Wright, Bridgett Dall (with two homers), Tori Perkins, Kaylen Rowell and Casey McCrackin (with two homers). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC: Gun Season Over, But Local Deer Hunting Lasts Through March 2
February 24, 2014
General deer gun season may have ended Sunday in the Panhandle, but if you don’t mind hunting with a primitive weapon, our local Zone D’s late muzzleloading gun season runs a week longer until March 2. This unique late season, which occurs only in the Florida Panhandle, was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which occurs from mid-January through February in the Panhandle.
A $5 muzzleloading gun permit is required to hunt during this season. On private land, hunters have the choice of using a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow.
On wildlife management areas, this postseason is referred to as the archery/muzzleloading gun season. Hunters can use bows or muzzleloaders but not crossbows, unless they possess a disabled crossbow permit. Hunters who choose to hunt with a bow must have the $5 archery permit, and those using a muzzleloader need the muzzleloading gun permit.
The most common kinds of game to hunt during this season are deer and wild hogs. Only bucks may be taken (even if you use a bow), and one antler must be at least 5 inches in length. If you’re hunting deer, make sure you have the $5 deer permit. On private land, the daily bag limit is two. Bag limits and antler size for deer on WMAs can differ, so please consult the area brochure before you hunt.
Wild hogs aren’t considered game animals on private lands. Because of this, they can be taken year-round by most weapons with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there also are no bag or size limits, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On selected WMAs, specific bag and size limits do apply, so check the area’s brochure to make sure.
No dogs may be used in the pursuit of deer during this season. However, leashed dogs can be used to track a wounded deer if necessary. And it’s important to note that no turkeys may be taken during this season.
Bows and crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds, and hand-held releases on bows are permitted. Broadheads used in taking deer must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.
During this season, you may use only muzzleloaders that take black powder or a non-nitro-cellulose substitute and are fired by wheel lock, flintlock or percussion cap ignition (including 209 primers). You may not use muzzleloaders that require smokeless powder or those with self-contained cartridge ammunition capabilities. For hunting deer, muzzleloaders that fire single bullets must be at least .40-caliber, and those firing two or more balls must be 20-gauge or larger.
You’re allowed to take deer and hogs over feeding stations on private land, but it’s illegal to do that on WMAs.
Twelve of the WMAs in Zone D have a late archery/muzzleloading gun season. If you plan to hunt any of ’em, you must have the $26 management area permit as well. Ten of those areas don’t require a quota permit during this period: Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Beaverdam Creek, Blackwater, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Escambia River, Point Washington, Tate’s Hell and Yellow River WMAs. The two that do require a quota permit are Chipola River and Perdido River WMAs.
You can get all of the licenses and permits you’ll need at any tax collector’s office or retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or by going online at License.MyFWC.com. And, as a reminder, hunting licenses are now available at the Clerk of the Court Office in the courthouse in Century.
As hunters, we all know that it’s nearly impossible to score every time we’re in the woods. But the thrill of the hunt lies in the appreciation of the woods, watching the wildlife and never knowing when that trophy animal might decide to show itself.
Tony Young is the media relations coordinator for the FWC’s Division of Hunting and Game Management. He can be reached with questions about hunting at Tony.Young@MyFWC.com.