Hunting season is underway

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Colder weather is officially here, which means one thing to many members of Team Tyndall: hunting season.

The various hunting seasons for Tyndall's 14,000 acres of huntable land take place from October to April and include: dove, archery, muzzle loading gun, general gun and turkey seasons.

"Our hunting seasons align with State regulations," said Donna Barber, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Installation's Management flight chief. "Hunting dates are more limited on Tyndall than other areas since we have limited resources to support this self-sustaining program.  This is why hunting is permitted mainly on weekends and holidays within the seasons."

For a full list of the dates of each sub season, follow this link http://www.tyndall.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-141106-081.pdf.

With the new season comes a new way to sign up for hunting, fishing and recreational licenses. Starting this year, the permits can now be purchased online at https://tyndall.isportsman.net.

"This online system is extremely convenient, provides a single database and offers seamless support for military members who move to Tyndall from other bases," said Barber. "It also reduces money handling for our employees, and provides 24/7 access to registration and purchase."

This year, non-Department of Defense individuals will be required to have a Defense Biometric Identification Data System card as well as the normal Tyndall Recreation Permit to fish on Tyndall's West Unit, however non-DOD hunting is prohibited there.

"In an effort to maintain a safer community, and better control access to the installation in a more secure and reliable manner in accordance with Air Force and federal law, the base now requires the use of DBIDS cards by recreational users," said Capt. Tate Grogan, 325th Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "Previously, the only form of ID that a non-DOD person needed to enter the base was the Tyndall Recreation Permit. While this permit did require a background check, the permit itself is not an official form of government ID and is not a photo ID. It could potentially be duplicated, modified or falsified."

These individuals can receive their DBIDS card from Tyndall's security forces at the Visitor's Center on Highway 98, across from Sabre Drive Gate.

"Tyndall security forces is working in conjunction with Tyndall Natural Resources' Conservation Law Enforcement Officer to maximize the opportunities for the public to enjoy the base, while still maintaining a high level of safety and security for our community," said Grogan.

The new rule will take effect on Nov. 24, after which non-DOD individuals will not be able to access the West Unit without a DBIDS card.

The Natural Resources office handles the regulation of the hunting and fishing programs and the enforcement of state and federal conservation laws on Tyndall.

"It is important to have regulations for hunting and fishing to ensure personnel who partake in these activities understand the rules on Tyndall and maintain our high safety record," said Barber. "Some of our rules are more stringent than the state's based on the fact that the activities occur on a military installation, and we need to still maintain safety and security while allowing patrons to enjoy this recreational program."

For more information on the Tyndall's hunting, fishing and general recreation regulations visit http://www.tyndall.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-140318-045.pdf.