In 1941, the Commission of Game and Freshwater Fish, the predecessor
agency of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, purchased
land in Charlotte County for wildlife management. Today this land is
part of the 79,013-acre Fred C. Babcock-Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management
Area. Surrounded by residential development, citrus groves, and improved
pasture, Babcock-Webb is among the last undeveloped expanses of hydric
(wet) pine flatwoods in southwest Florida. Within 5 miles of Punta Gorda
and 20 miles from Ft. Myers, here you can hunt bobwhite quail, participate
in bird dog field trials, fish for trophy size bluegill, hike, mountain
bike, and horseback ride. Resident and migratory birds and wildflowers
are abundant.
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