Outta’ The Woods: Hunting Season Is Here
October 26, 2013
Finally, the time of year we’ve been waiting for is here.
From Escambia and Santa Rosa east to about Leon County, you’re in Zone D, where archery and crossbow seasons began October 26 on private lands.
To hunt during archery season, you’ll need a Florida hunting license and an archery permit. During crossbow season, you’ll need a hunting license and crossbow permit. If you’re a Florida resident, an annual hunting license will cost $17. Nonresidents have the choice of paying $46.50 for a 10-day license or $151.50 for 12 months. Archery and crossbow permits cost just $5 each, and all deer hunters must have the $5 deer permit. Anyone planning on hunting one of Florida’s many WMAs must purchase a management area permit for $26.50.
And don’t forget to pick up the WMA brochure for the area you wish to hunt, because hunting season dates on many of the areas are often different from what the zonal dates are. You can pick up a copy of these WMA brochures at your local tax collector’s office or read them at
During archery season and that part of crossbow season that is concurrent with archery, you can take deer of either sex, regardless of antler size (except for spotted fawns). After archery ends, during the remaining portion of the crossbow season, only legal bucks (having at least one antler that is at least 5 inches long) may be taken. The daily bag limit on deer is two. Bag limits for deer on WMAs can differ, so check the specifics of the area before you hunt.
You can hunt wild hogs on private lands year-round with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limits, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On a few WMAs, bag and size limits do apply, so be sure to check the brochure for the specific area to be certain.
It’s also legal to shoot gobblers and bearded turkeys during archery and crossbow seasons, given you have a turkey permit ($10 for residents, $125 for nonresidents). You can take only one turkey per day, and there’s a two-bird fall-season limit. It’s against the law to hunt turkeys in Holmes County in the fall, and it’s illegal to shoot them while they’re on the roost, over bait, when you’re within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when bait is present or with the aid of recorded turkey calls.
On private property, if you’re hunting during the archery season, you may hunt only with a bow, and you must have the $5 archery permit. During crossbow season, you may use either a crossbow or bow, but you must have the $5 crossbow permit. On WMAs, only hunters with a disabled crossbow permit are allowed to use crossbows during archery season. All bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds, and hand-held releases are permitted. For hunting deer, hogs and turkeys, broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.
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.
Photos: West Florida Junior Varsity At Northview
October 25, 2013
The junior varsity West Florida Jaguars defeated the JV Northview Chiefs 40-14 Thursday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Northview’s Desmone Knight (white jersey) blocks a two point attempt by West Florida. Pictured inset: West Florida gains yardage against the Chiefs as Jared Aliff (#3) closes in for the tackle. Pictured below: Peighton Dortch (left) and Hadley Woodfin cheer for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football District Standings, Schedules
October 24, 2013
Here is a look at local high school football district standings, scores from last week, and Friday night’s schedule for Florida schools:
District Volleyball: Freeport Tops Northview; Niceville Over Tate
October 23, 2013
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs fell to the Freeport Bulldogs in display play Tuesday night.
Northview lost to Freeport in four, 25-21, 13-25, 19-25, 12-25.
For a Northview-Freeport photo gallery click here.
Also Tuesday night, Niceville knocked the Tate Lady Aggies out of the District 1-7A semifinals. Niceville beat tate in three straight, 25-21, 25-17, 25-9.
For the Aggies — Carissa Carroll 3 digs; Lexi Windham 3 digs, kill; Jordan White 4 digs, 7 kills; Hope Tourney 2 digs; Lauren Merts 3 digs, 18 assists; Julie McKinley 5 digs, 3 kills; Regine Simmons 4 kills, 3 blocks; Kayli Kirklin 2 kills, block; Sydney Roberson 2 blocks.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Beats T.R. Miller (With Photo Gallery)
October 23, 2013
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles wrapped up their season Tuesday night with a big win over T.R. Miller. The EWMS Eagles beat the Tigers 44-24.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Teams Claim Escambia River Western Division Championships
October 22, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Eagles ended their regular season Saturday with three of four teams claiming Escambia River Western Division championships.
The Sophomore, Junior and Senior teams will play in the first round of playoffs this weekend at Ernest Ward Middle School. With a win Saturday they will advance to their respective championship games on Saturday, November 2.
Results from Saturday were as follows:
Freshmen lost to Excel
Zyonne Wesley made the only score for the NWE Freshmen. Jackson Bridges, Easton Odom, Aiden Odom, Jace Portwood, Bryce Stabler and Liam Hatcher all played tough on defense. This loss brings the Freshmen season to an end with a record of 3-4.
Sophomores defeated Excel 27-6
TJ Wright had a touchdown and made an interception and ran it back for a touchdown, Kaden Odom had two touchdowns, and Nolin Godwin scored three extra points, Aiden Broadhead ran for a long touchdown, but it was called back.
John Michael Ward and Luke Bridges made strong plays on defense to help the team hold Excel to only one score. The sophomores will play Baker in the first round of playoffs Saturday at 11:00 at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Juniors defeated Excel 33-0
Jayden Jackson ran for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns for NWE. Jaheem Durant, Michael Merchant and Jaden Cunnigham also scored. Merchant completed a pass to Dariontae Richardson for a 70-yard touchdown.
Key defensive plays were made by Logan Bryan, Keaundre Richardson, AJ Hasty, Ki-Jauna Carter, Jackson and Durant.
In the regular season, NWE Juniors outscored their competition 299-13. They clinched the Western Division champions title and will play the winner of a shoot-out between Flomaton and WS Neal Saturday in the first round of playoffs at 12:30 at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Seniors defeated Excel 40-6
Trent Peebles ran for a touchdown, so did Tyrese Smith. Cameron Cloud threw four touchdown passes to Tanner Deese, one to Seth Killam and one to Jason Fayard.
Dean Hatcher, Josh Merchant, Wyatt Windham, Javontaye Wright, Keegun Johnston and Jay Helton all played well on the offensive line. The seniors ended their regular season 7-0 and clinch the Western Divisional Champions title. They will play Jay Saturday at Ernest Ward at 2:30.
Pictured top: Jaheem Durant runs for NWE Juniors. Pictured inset: Zyonne Wesley outruns an Excel player for the Northwest Escambia Freshmen. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Sawyer Smith Makes Verbal Commitment To Alabama
October 22, 2013
Sawyer Smith, quarterback for the Tate Aggies and baseball standout, has made a verbal commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball program.
Smith and family made a recruiting visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Sawyer’s brother Austen Smith is a senior at Alabama and plays first base.
Chiefs Shut Out Freeport
October 19, 2013
The Northview Chiefs shut out the Freeport Bulldogs Friday night, ending homecoming week with a 35-0 win.
“I thought it was good, especially by the defense,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said. “I think we are starting to instill some pride on that side of the ball.”
Freeport managed to cross into the red zone just one time, and they forced to settle for a bumbled field goal attempt. “That was big right there, not to give up any points in the first half,” he said. “I though offensively, our game was good getting it to our play makers and letting them do their job.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Cheerleader and band photos Monday.)
The Chiefs took the lead with 6:42 to go in the first quarter with a 77-yard touchdown run from Keondrae Lett. With 3:42 in the first, Northview scored again on 6-yard run from Lett, and a two-point conversion from quarterback Daulton Tullis to Cameron Newsome was good for a 14-0 Chiefs advantage.
Northview would strike again before the half with a 53-yard reception from Tullis to Robinson. Heading into the half, the Chiefs were up 21-0.
In the second half, Robinson added another touchdown, a 41-yard reception with 8:54 to go, 27-0. And with 6:53 to go in the third, Robinson was hands on a Freeport punt but lost control of the ball. He scooped it up and went about 72-yards for the touchdown, 35-0.
Overall, it was a strong performance for the defending 1A state champs, Wheatley said “You can’t argue with a good solid win at home and getting a shutout.”
The Chiefs improved to 2-0 in district action with two shutouts — Freeport Friday night and 26-0 over Jay two weeks ago.
Northview will be on the road next Friday night to take on Walton High School in Defuniak Springs.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Cheerleader and band photos Monday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Crestview
October 19, 2013
The Tate Aggies hit the road Friday night to take on the Crestview Bulldogs with their eyes on a playoff berth. The Bulldogs played hard taking the lead during the game, but could not hold off the Aggies’ offense. And Tate went on beat Crestview by a score of 29-24.
Tate started off the game by blocking a Crestview punt early in the first quarter, leading to a 32-yard field goal from kicker Dylan Mancuso. Tate took the early lead, 3-0. Again in the first quarter, Mancuso kicked a field goal. The 29-yarder made the score Tate 6, Crestview 0.
Later in the second quarter, the Bulldogs had the Aggies near the on endzone when Tate’s quarterback dropped the ball in the end zone and was able to fall on it. That gave the Bulldogs a safety with the score 6-2. Late in the 2nd quarter, Crestview decided to go for it on fourth down, throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass for a 9-6 Aggies lead at the half.
Crestview began the second half with a 97 yard touchdown drive to increase their lead over Tate 16-6. Crestview had the momentum until a tipped pass landed in the hands of Tate’s Diamonte Thompson, who took it 5- yards for a Aggie touchdown. Tate still trailed 13-16.
On Tate’s next possession, Tia Samuel sprinted up the middle of the field for a 79-yard touchdown run. Tate missed the extra point, to make the score Tate 19, Crestview 16. The Aggies’ next score was again by Tia Samuel. This one was for 25 yards to increase Tate’s lead to 26-16.
Tate’s Dylan Mancuso was called on again for his thid field goal of the night. He kicked a 44-yard field goal to make the score 29-16. With less than a minute to go, the Aggies intentionally gave up a safety to make the score Tate 29 Crestview 18. Crestview was able to quickly score on their next possession, but failed to convert the two point conversion to make the final score Tate 29, Crestview 24.
Tate’s Coach Ronnie Douglas said that he was “very pleased with the win. The players worked really hard all week for the game”. We hurt ourselves in the first half, but were able to come out in the seconded half and play a better game”.
Tate (6-2, 1-1) travels to Ft Walton next week. Kickoff is at 7:00.
by Darryl Singleton
Baker Beats Jay
October 19, 2013
The Baker Gators continued their perfect season Friday night with a 21-13 win over the Jay Royals n the War on Highway 4 game.
With the district win, the Gators ensured a playoff spot and improving their record to 7-0, 2-0 in District 1-1A. The Royals moved to 3-4 for the season, 0-2 in the district.
The Royals will be on the road again next Friday night as they travel to Cottondale to take on the Hornets at 7 p.m.
Pictured: The Jay Royals at the Baker Gators Friday night. Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
