Duck Hunting - Florida Early Duck Hunting Season

Duck Hunting
Florida Early Duck Hunting Season

The Florida early duck hunting season allows duck hunters to take advantage of the early blue-wing teal migration from their northern U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds. The early duck season is also timed to allow duck hunting of locally produced wood ducks.

Click here to view last September's 2008 early season
duck hunting reports and photos

FLORIDA DUCK HUNTING SEASONS: 2008 - 2009
ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Duck Hunting (Early 5 Day Season): September 20 - 24, 2008

Duck Hunting (First Phase): November 22, 2008 - November 30, 2008

Duck Hunting (Second Phase): December 6, 2008 - January 25, 2009

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day: February 7 & 8, 2009

Children under the age of 16, supervised by an adult 18 years of age or older, may hunt waterfowl on these 2 days. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as the regular duck season. Adult supervisors are prohibited from hunting on these days.

BAG LIMITS

The September 20 - 24, 2008 early season daily duck limit is 4 per hunter. This duck limit shall consist (in any combination) of blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and no more than 2 wood duck. No other species of duck may be taken during the September early season phase.

The November 22, 2008 - November 30, 2008
&
December 6, 2008 - January 25, 2009
duck season daily bag limit for duck is 6 per hunter. This duck limit shall consist of no more than 4 mallards (2 hens); 2 scaup; 1 black duck; 1 pintail, only during pintial season; 1 mottled duck; 1 fulvous whistling duck; 1 canvasback; 2 wood ducks; 2 redheads; and 4 scoters. All other species of duck (except harlequin ducks) may be taken up to the six-duck daily limit.

Coot daily limit is 15

Mergansers daily limit is 5, only two may be a hooded merganser

Possession limit is two days' bag limit.

LATEST DUCK HUNTING REPORTS & PICTURES

Click here for (January 2009) duck hunting reports and photos.

Click here for the (December 2008) duck hunting reports and photos.

Click here for the (November 2008) duck hunting reports and photos

Click here for the early season (September 2008) duck hunting reports and photos.

Click here for (January 2008) duck hunting reports and photos.

DUCK HUNTING LAKE OKEECHOBEE
SPECIAL RATE

2 Day 1 Night 1 Person Rate For Only $240.00
Required Reservation Deposit Is: $150.00

GRATUITIES: are included in above rate.

This 1 person 2 day 1 night special rate is for 1 afternoon of hunting, 1 night of lodging and 1 morning of hunting on the following day.
How it works is your arrive for your first hunt that afternoon, stay the night after your afternoon hunt and then hunt on the next day morning.

This package besides being an affordable duck hunting event also allows a duck hunter to take "two limits of duck" instead of a one day limit simply because each duck hunt is done on two different days!

DUCK HUNTING PER DAY RATE

"Only $100.00"

DUCK HUNTING PER DAY RATE 1 Hunter Cost Per Each Day Is Only: $100.00
Required Reservation Deposit Per Hunter Per Each Day Is: $75.00

DUCK HUNTING NON-HUNTER RATE 1 Non-Hunter Cost Per Each Day Is: $100.00
Required Reservation Deposit Per Non-Hunter Per Each Day Is: $75.00

GRATUITIES: are included in the above rate.

Click here for more information and reservation requirements on our
Duck Hunting Per Day hunting guide service.

SHOOTING HOURS
Legal Florida duck hunting shooting hours posted by the Florida Game Commission are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Click here to get sunrise and sunset times for every month of the year

A DUCK HUNTING DAY

Consists of either one morning (A.M.) session of hunting -- or one afternoon (P.M.) session of hunting. Our morning of duck hunting is from 5:00 to 9:00 A.M. Our evening of duck hunting is from 2:00 to sunset

Please note - these hours vary with sunrise and sunset standards.

Duck hunters prior to their hunt are required to check with us for the correct time to meet!

DUCK HUNTING OVER DECOYS

Is conducted on Lake Okeechobee by standing in 6 to 12 inches of water.

We do not duck hunt from a boat!

Duck hunters will be taken out by airboat and placed in a natural vegetation blind of reeds, stand of trees and reeds or around small floating grass islands as shown in the photo. Decoys will be set out by your guide, who will then leave the hunting area and anchor within view of the hunters.

Because of the low water conditions We will be hunting this year out of the town of Lakeport.
Click here for DIRECTIONS. Click here for a location MAP

DUCK HUNTING TERRITORY AREAS & BLINDS

We are not permitted by Florida law to build permanent duck blinds on public waters.

Click here to view photos of the areas and natural vegetation blinds you will be duck hunting from on Lake Okeechobee.

The photos on this web page will give you a visual idea of the area and type of the territory you will be hunting from.

DUCK HUNTING RETRIEVER DOGS

Ron's Guide Service welcomes duck hunting retrievers. A duck hunter can bring his dog with him free of charge. Click here for more information on duck hunting retrievers. This link also has many on the lake photos of duck hunters and their retrievers. Items to bring and other information is covered in this link.

THINGS TO BRING

Shotgun not larger than 10 gauge plugged to a three-shell capacity, shotgun shells (50 rounds per each hunter) loaded with steel shot in either shot size of BB, 1, 2 or 4 (bismuth-tin and tungsten-iron are also approved), camo clothing, rain gear (camo color poncho). Bring an alarm clock with you, a flashlight or better yet the type you attach to your head and foam ear plugs for the airboat ride (airboats are loud). Zip-Lock freezer size bags are handy for storing shells and keeping your hunting license, cell phone and other items dry. Bug spray, canteen of drinking water, chest high waders and a folding seat to sit on. Because a hunter's hands and face can give him away immediately, camo gloves and a face mask, or cold-cream-based paints are a necessity. Shiny gun barrels need to be camo tape wrapped. A shiny gun barrel is the number one cause of ducks spotting a hunter and not coming near or into the decoys.

Chest Waders

You will need chest waders. If you don't have them each person can rent a pair with adjustable shoulder suspenders for $10.00 per each morning of duck hunting and/or each afternoon of duck hunting.
You must notify me if you want to rent waders.

Battery Operated Decoy

Other them standard decoys which we provide free of charge a party has the option to rent per each hunt one Mojo type battery operated decoy that includes batteries for $10.00 per each morning of duck hunting and/or each afternoon of duck hunting. There is no question that these type of decoys bring ducks in.
You must notify me if you want to rent one of these decoys.
See Mojo type battery operated decoy in photo below

Floating Tote Sled

A floating tote sled with a poly tow rope attached that is 48 inches long by 25 inches wide and 6 inches deep can also be rented for $5.00 per each morning of duck hunting and/or each afternoon of duck hunting. This sled will hold a duck hunters rucksack, gun, decoys, shells, etc.
You must notify me if you want to rent a tote sled.
See tote sled in the photo below.

FOLDING SEAT

You can relax and duck hunt sitting in comfort with a folding seat. Such seats are sold by Cabela's or other such sporting stores. A 24 inch high seat can be rented for $5.00 per each morning of duck hunting and/or each afternoon of duck hunting.
You must notify me if you want to rent a folding seat.
See folding seat inside sled in the above photo.

INCLUDED LODGING INFORMATION

Motel lodging at the Glades Inn was provided on our 2 half day 1 night duck package.

Please note the Glades Inn is currently closed due to renovations.
When they will re-open is not known.

We now allow the client to choose where they want to stay rather then where we made arrangements for them to stay at. As noted below the lodging refund of $40.00 can be applied to the cost of a clients lodging at the motel of his choosing.

The Rice Motel (863-946-0424) in the town of Moore Haven offers lodging through Ron's Guide Service for $40.00 per night.

LODGING REFUNDS

We offer a courtesy lodging refund in the amount of $40.00 for the 1 night of lodging that is included with the 2 half day 1 night duck hunting rate. This credit will be subtracted from a party's 2 half days 1 night duck hunting package rate total cost.

Example: if a party of 2 hunters each booked the 2 half day 1 night package they would get a $80.00 ($40.00 each) lodging credit that they could use to pay for their own lodging with!

The $80.00 lodging credit is also applicable if a party has other lodging options available such as a RV camper, trailer home, camping out, staying with friends, etc.

LODGING OPTIONS

There are also numerous other motels in the town of Clewiston to stay at:

TOWN OF CLEWISTON MOTELS
HOLIDAY INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-5100 or 800-313-4591
BEST WESTERN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-3400 or 877-478-1700
EXECUTIVE ROYAL INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-3141
MOTOR INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-4115
WEST EXPRESS INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-9161
RELAX INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-9309
PLAZA TRAVEL INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-5181
ANGLER’S MARINA MOTEL off of U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-2277
CLEWISTON INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 1-800-749-4466

TOWN OF MOORE HAVEN MOTELS
RICE MOTEL off U.S. 27 Ph: 863-946-0424
GLADES INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-946-2642

TOWN OF LAKEPORT MOTELS
LAKEPORT LODGE on SR 78 Ph: 863-946-2020
ARUBA on SR 78 Ph: 863-946-1324
Little Big Man Marina on SR 78 Ph: 863-946-1441

TOWN OF OKEECHOBEE MOTELS
HOLIDAY INN on SR 441 Ph: 863-357-3529 or 800-465-4329
BEST WESTERN on SR 441 Ph: 863-357-7100 or 800-305-6237
FLAMINGO MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-6100
TRAVELERS INN on N. Parrott Ave. Ph: 863-763-3146
BUDGET INN on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-3185
ECONOMY INN on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-1148
PIER II MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-3146
TREASURE ISLAND MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-2895
TROPIC MOTEL on S. Parrott Ave. Ph: 863-467-0053
WANTA LINGA MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-1020 or 800-754-0428

CAMP GROUNDS, TENT CAMPING, RV PARKS, ETC:
This type of information is best answered by the local Chamber of Commerce. The Moore Haven number is 863-946-0440. Clewiston number is 863-983-7979 and the Okeechobee number is
863-763-6464

DUCK HUNTING RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS

Reservation deposits are listed after each rate and can be made by
money order, certified check, or
online by credit card
Personal checks are not accepted.
Balance due is payable upon arrival by Cash or Money Order only.
We do not accept credit cards or personal checks on the balance due.
Reservation date/s are final and can not be rescheduled.
Reservation deposits are non-refundable in the event of a cancellation. See our:
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

HOW TO MAKE RESERVATIONS

ONLINE CREDIT CARD DEPOSIT
To make reservations online with a credit card

Click here to make reservations ONLINE WITH A CREDIT CARD

MONEY ORDER DEPOSIT
To make reservations by U.S.Postal Mail Service, UPS or FedEx

Click here to print out the required
RESERVATION FORM
you will need to mail out with your money order deposit to make reservations
by U.S.postal mail.

RESERVATION CONFIRMATION

Ron's Guide Service will e-mail a written confirmation upon receipt of a party's reservation deposit confirming receipt of deposit, the total cost of the duck hunting trip that would include the guide rate, optional cost of rental items ordered by the party if applicable, where to meet, time to meet, balance due upon arrival and other information.

The total cost of the hunting trip and balance due upon arrival (minus the deposit) will also be listed to ensure that there are no additional hidden fees or charges whatsoever!!!

It is your responsibility to e-mail me back as soon as you receive my e-mail confirmation verifying that the information contained in it is correct.

HUNTING LICENSE

A Florida Hunting License, Florida Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Permit and Federal Duck Stamp are required to hunt ducks in Florida. Resident hunting license cost is $12.50. Nonresident 10 day Hunting License cost is $46.50. Florida Duck Stamp cost is $3.00. The Migratory Bird Permit is issued free of charge.

This year's Federal Duck Stamp which will cost you $15.00 can only be purchased at a U.S. Post Office or Wal-Mart.

Children under the age of 16, supervised by an adult 18 years of age or older are exempt from hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, Florida Waterfowl permit, and Federal Duck Stamp requirements.

Hunter Safety Mentoring Exemption

Effective Aug. 1, 2006, anyone 16 years or older and born after May 31, 1975 can hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 or older, without having to complete the state hunter safety certification.
The newly established “Hunter Safety Mentoring Exemption” enables those persons to purchase a Florida hunting license and hunt during a one-year trial basis.
The new mentoring exemption was passed by the Florida Legislature to help persuade more people to experience hunting. It is designed to encourage experienced hunters to teach novice hunters about safety, ethics, wildlife, hunting skills and respect for Florida’s outdoors.
Until now, everyone 16 or over, and born after May 31, 1975, needed to complete the hunter safety requirement before they were allowed to buy a hunting license.
“This should be a great incentive for getting more people to give hunting a try, and hopefully, we can hook some of these folks on the hunting tradition,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hunter safety coordinator Bill Cline. “If a novice hunter enjoys the sport, we hope they take the hunter safety course and continue the experience for years to come.”
Individuals taking advantage of this try-before-you-buy approach would have to take and pass a hunter safety class to be eligible to purchase a hunting license and hunt the following year.

Click here for more information about the Hunter Safety Mentoring Exemption.
It would be a good idea to print the above from the FWC web page in the event when you purchase a hunting license the seller of the license is not aware of the new law exemption.

Click here for more information about the hunter safety course.

Click here for other information pertaining to Florida hunting license

PURCHASE ONLINE
YOUR FLORIDA HUNTING LICENSE, MIGRATORY BIRD PERMIT & FLORIDA STATE DUCK STAMP
A online computerized license option is now available in the state of Florida. Duck hunters may purchase their Florida Hunting License, Migratory Bird Permit and Florida State Duck Stamp online using a credit card. Online agents will issue by e-mail a license number which will entitle hunters to hunt immediately or at some later date during the calendar year.
Click here if you would like to use this convenient option.

PURCHASE ONLINE
YOUR FEDERAL DUCK STAMP

The Federal Duck Stamp is also sold online or by calling either (800) DUCK499 or (800) STAMP24. However, unlike the hunting license you can purchase online and hunt immediately with, you will have to wait for the Federal Duck Stamp to be mailed out to you before you can duck hunt!

Purchasing your Federal Duck Stamp online is a convenient method of getting your Federal duck stamp. A frameable photo of the stamp and Certificate of Appreciation is also included with the stamp.

Click here if you would like to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online
from the FWS.

Click here to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online from the USFWS.

Click here for other online Federal Duck Stamp places to purchase the stamp

AIRBOAT - DIAMONDBACK 2006 YEAR MODEL

Here's Captain Ron's new 2006 Diamondback 20 foot custom crafted airboat.

This one of a kind huge airboat on Lake Okeechobee is powered by a 496 cubic inch GM Levitator 8.1 HO fuel in-jected motor that has a horse power rating of 425 - 450 hp. A CH 2.1 gear reduction box that turns a 3 blade ultra wide Q series Sensenich propeller 4800 rpm and a custom built stainless steel exhaust system makes this airboat the quietest airboat you will ever ride in.
I have not to date had a client ask for ear plugs!
Custom built into the deck is a large insulated livewell and cooler. There are also 7 other large built in below deck and 2 under the seat storage compartments. A custom installed 80 lb. trust Minn-Kota trolling motor, 2 front mounted removable seats, a 6 foot bench seat, 2 KC lights in the grass rake covered by Lexan, 2 KC lights on the prop guard cage, center console instrument panel, Power Pole Anchor and full walk around deck makes this airboat a true pleasure to ride in. A fold down bimini top is an added pleasure of providing shade and rain protection during a party's trip.

AIRBOATS - COMBEE 2000 & 1998 YEAR MODELS

Captain Ron also has 2 other custom built 18 ft. fiberglass hull airboats with rebuilt 500 cubic inch Cadillac motors that can carry (per each boat) 5 duck hunters and their gear safely and in comfort anywhere on Lake Okeechobee. You will enjoy the ride in style to and from the duck hunting area on the lake in these custom built airboats

DUCK POPULATIONS
Duck hunting this year (2008 - 2009) is expected to be excellent. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates a total duck population of more than 41.2 million -- a 14 percent increase from last year's estimate and 24 percent above the long-term average. The Federal Wildlife agency predicts a fall migration of "MILLIONS" of waterfowl. Best news this year is the abundance of:

Blue-winged teal at 5.9 million birds. This value is 28 percent greater than last year's estimate of 4.6 million birds and 30 percent above the long-term average.

Green-winged teal at 2.6 million are 20 percent greater than last year and 39 percent above the long-term average.

Gadwall at 2.8 million are 30 percent greater than last year and 67 percent above the long-term average.

Northern shovelers at 3.7 million are 69 percent above their long-term average

Pintails at 3.4 million is 32 percent greater than that of last year.

Click here to read their report

DUCKS AT A DISTANCE

A Waterfowl Identification Guide

Click here for a guide that will help you recognize birds on the wing
it emphasizes their fall and winter plumage patterns as well as size,
shape, and flight characteristics.

Florida's Waterfowl

Florida Mottled Duck: click here for information and identification.

Florida Wood Duck: click here for information and identification.

Fulvous Whistling Duck: click here for information and identification.

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck: click here for information and identification.

Migratory Waterfowl of Florida

Click here for information and identification.

Click here for Duck's Unlimited waterfowl identification gallery and other information pertaining to duck hunting. This link has excellent identification photos and much more things of interest about duck hunting

EVER WONDER HOW MANY PELLETS ARE IN A SHOTGUN SHELL
SIZE BB TO 4
Click here to find out

YOUR OWN WEB PAGE FREE
You get your own duck hunting internet web page FREE when you hunt with
Ron's Guide Service!
Imagine being able to brag about your hunt and have your photos posted on your own web page for all your family, friends and a young hunter's school friends to see.
To enjoy this one-of-a-kind great offer just e-mail Captain Ron at capon1943@aol.com your photo/s and all details about your hunt such as hunter/s name, city, state, e-mail address, weapon used, caliber, size, sex and type of the duck/s bagged or anything else you found amusing about your hunt.
A link to your own personal internet web page will be e-mailed to you from Captain Ron. This link will give you, family and friends you send it to access to your web page.
You can also add photos of other game you bagged, fish you caught and even your pet's photo at anytime you like.

RON'S GUIDE SERVICE
MOORE HAVEN, FL 33471

Florida Duck Hunting Web Site:
http://www.duck-hunting-florida-lake-okeechobee-guide-service.com

E-Mail

CELL: 863-287-8484

Click on any of the below links for more information on our Lake Okeechobee hunting and fishing professional guide services.

Online Credit Card Deposit Option
Florida Duck Hunting Early Season Information
Lodging Accommodations
Duck Hunting Home Page
Duck Hunting Reports
Duck Hunting Brag'n Board
Duck Hunting Testimonials
Florida Year-Round Alligator Hunting Guide Service
A Wild Boar Hog Hunting Florida Guide Service
Lake Okeechobee Hunting & Fishing Guide Service
Lake Okeechobee Fishing: Bass-Crappie-Bluegill-Shellcracker

Florida Bass Fishing Special

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Duck Hunting Florida Early Duck Hunting Season

Duck Hunting
Florida Early Duck Hunting Season