FWC meeting: At its meeting April 15 in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved proposed rules that, if passed at the next FWC meeting in June, would allow limited hunting of black bears. The proposal includes a seven-day season in late October on private and public lands and a bear permit that costs $100 for residents and $300 for non-residents. In South Florida, hunting would be allowed at the Picayune Strand, Spirit-of-the-Wild and Okaloacoochee Slough wildlife management areas. On April 16, the FWC approved a 70-day recreational red snapper season for Gulf state waters running from May 23-July 12, Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5-7) and Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 12-Nov. 1.
Fishing seminar: Women, men and teens can attend the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar April 17-19 at the I.T. Parker Community Center in Dania Beach. Women can now bring a male guest or their teen-aged children to the event, which offers classroom presentations, networking, hands-on skills practice and an optional charter fishing trip on April 19. Topics include offshore, inshore, bottom and fly fishing. Skills include knot tying, bait rigging, casting, gaffing, trailer backing and boat handling. Call 954-475-9068 or Visit ladiesletsgofishing.com.
Hunter safety: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a hunter safety Internet-completion course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 18 at the Markham Park Target Range, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise. Students must complete the Internet course before coming to class and bring a copy of the final report from the online portion. To register, visit myfwc.com/huntersafety or call 561-625-5122.
Tuna talk: Capt. Mark Lamb of the Doing It All tournament fishing team will discuss live-baiting for blackfin tuna at the April 22 meeting of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club. The meeting, which is open to the public, is 7 p.m. at the clubhouse at 201 5th Street. Call 561-832-6780 or visit westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.
Sportfishing tournament: The Yamaha Contender Miami Sportfishing Tournament is April 25 out of Miami Beach Marina. Eligible species for the new event are dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo and cobia, with points awarded for a maximum of three billfish releases. The top boat wins $30,000. Entry fee is $600 per boat and boats can leave from any inlet. The kickoff party and captain’s meeting are 6 p.m. April 23 at the marina. Fishing is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by the weigh-in from 4-6 and a dock party that is free and open to the public. For information, email Judy@miamisportfish.com or visit miamisportfish.com.
Bass tournament: The Everglades Bassmasters of South Florida has its 44th annual Open Team Tournament from safe light to 3 p.m. April 26 out of Everglades Holiday Park. Entry fee is $80 and includes the $10 big fish pot. First place pays $1,200 with 50 boats. Sign-in begins at 4:30 a.m. at the ramp. Contact Tony Crowder at 954-254-9072 or tcrowder42@yahoo.com.
Nature walks: Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, Miramar, has twice-monthly Sunset Nature Walks for ages 6 and up from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The next walk is May 6. Cost is $3 per person. To register, call the park at 954-357-8776. Other walks are May 10 and June 3 and 7.
