Division of Hunting and Game Management

Diane Eggeman, Director
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
850-488-3831

Mission: To manage and conserve game wildlife for the future, while fostering safe and responsible hunting.

Benefits

• Provides professional management of hunting activities and associated wildlife resources, ensuring that conservation objectives are met and hunting opportunities are sustainable.
• Develops or expands new hunting opportunities and improves existing hunting opportunities statewide.
• Provides high-quality programs for hunter safety training and public shooting opportunities.
• Provides programs to recruit and retain hunters, especially children and youths, as participants in hunting and other wildlife-related activities. Outdoor recreation during childhood helps develop support for conservation efforts throughout life.
• Brings together hunting interest groups, governmental and non-governmental agencies, research institutes and the public to consider ways to manage Florida's game wildlife species effectively.
• Provides scientific expertise to the Commission to make the best informed decisions regarding the management of Florida's game wildlife resources.

Coordinating Florida’s hunting and hunter safety programs requires science-based practices within the Division of Hunting and Game Management (HGM). Under this division, hunters are trained and certified. To provide lands on which to hunt, HGM develops rules and recommends management policies on more than 5.8 million acres of public hunting lands. Using effective game-management tools and scientific expertise, HGM perpetuates sustainable hunting statewide, concentrating on waterfowl, small game, deer, wild turkey and alligators. HGM personnel participate in national, state and regional advisory groups to support management and regulation of Florida game species.

Hunting and Game Management sections

Game Species Management

Managing Florida’s wild game populations using science, leadership and key partnerships occurs under the Game Species Management section. Conservation and sustainability of species, while providing opportunities for responsible hunting, drive Game Species Management employees, who use scientific research to design sound management practices. Partnerships with other agencies foster sound management practices.

Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges

To put into practice the mission of HGM, programs are offered throughout the state by the Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges section. Florida Statutes require many hunters to be certified. HGM not only provides these courses, but also offers workshops and special events to ensure Florida hunters are well prepared to be safe, responsible and conservation-minded. Specialized courses include Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, Advanced Archery and Basic Muzzleloading Firearms. Safety-training camps for young hunters and shooting ranges also are offered.

Public Hunting Areas

The Public Hunting Areas section develops partnerships, rules, regulations and associated publications that facilitate public hunting opportunities on more than 5.8 million acres of land in Florida. The section coordinates the distribution of rule-related information and publications, provides technical assistance to the hunting public, and works with stakeholders and partners to coordinate support for hunting-related activities on public lands.

HGM budget summary

Glossary of funding sources