Want To Hunt A Florida Alligator?

6,000 Gator Hunters To Be Given Permits

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin accepting applications on May 4 for a chance to obtain highly coveted permits to participate in the statewide alligator harvest.

Applications submitted in Phase I will be entered in a random drawing to assign permits. Applications will be accepted from 10 a.m. (EDT) May 4 through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) May 17. More than 6,000 alligator harvest permits will be available.

During Phase I, each person can submit only one no-cost application, which provides the option of prioritizing up to five hunt area and period choices. All those seeking a harvest permit must be at least 18 years of age by Aug. 15. A permit allows the harvest of two alligators on a designated area.

People can submit applications online at www.fl.wildlifelicense.com, at any county tax collector's office or license agent (retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing licenses). Drawing results will be posted at MyFWC.com/Hunting (click on "Limited Entry Hunts," then "Drawing Results"). Successful applicants must make their trapping license fee payments at the locations listed above by June 6.

Any permits remaining after June 6 will be offered during Phase II on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. (EDT) June 8 through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) June 13. Those who purchased a permit during Phase I may not apply. Applicants in Phase II are limited to one permit apiece.

If permits are available after Phase II, the FWC will offer them during Phase III on a first-come, first-served basis, while they last, beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT) June 15. People who purchased a permit in Phase I or II may apply for additional permits during Phase III.

The combined cost of a resident alligator trapping license and alligator harvest tags is $272, and nonresidents pay $1,022. The cost for each additional alligator hunting permit is $62, regardless of residency. All fees are nonrefundable. Tags and permits are nontransferable.

An alligator trapping agent license is also available for $52; it allows the license holder to assist permitted trappers to take alligators.

The alligator hunting season will run 11 consecutive weeks from Aug. 15 through Nov. 1.

To educate participants on the how-to's and rules and regulations of the hunts, the FWC offers a no-cost, three-hour training and orientation program, which is held at various locations throughout the state. Permit recipients are not required to attend, but the FWC strongly encourages first-time participants to go. Courses will be offered in July and August, and permit holders will receive, by mail, permit packages listing dates and locations.

Port LaBelle Mystery - Bridge Barrels

Why Are Ten Barrels Under Bridge?

LABELLE, FL. -- For many weeks ten 30-gallon chemical barrels were stored under a bridge on Birchwood Parkway just north of the Hendry-Glades county line.

Why they were there is a mystery. One white container was marked as Landmaster II. It's a herbicide. The 30-gallon container had an 800 number for the manufacturer Diamond-R Fertilizer Company of Ft. Pierce. The company said they didn't know why so many barrels would be hidden under the bridge but advised to make a call to their LaBelle office.

The LaBelle office didn't have any idea why they were there but said someone might be able to pick them up.

A contact was then made to the Glades county Emergency Management office who said they could pick them up.

While the ten barrels were just a few yards away from a two small lakes it didn't seems like there was any evidence of a spill that might have contaminated the water where cattle and horses drink.

Some locals speculate the chemicals might have been used in making methamphetamines; crystal meth or crank meth.

The barrels have now been pick up. Any ideas on why they were under the bridge?

Video: 10 barrels under the Birchwood Bridge and the nearby lake where livestock drink and graze.

Florida Gas Prices Climbing

Prices $1 More Than Last Year

Average retail gasoline prices in Florida have risen 6.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.88/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 7.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.92/g, according to gasoline price website FloridaStateGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Florida during the past week, prices yesterday were $1.01/g higher than the same day one year ago and are 23.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 29.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands $1.01/g higher than this day one year ago.

Hendry Elementary Students Visit Nature

Hendry House and LaBelle Nature Park Hosting 1,000 Students

LABELLE, FL. -- The 4^th Annual Call of the Wild sponsored by the Hendry-LaBelle Recreation Department will teach area students about nature, energy, and animal life this week.

Nearly 1,000 students and their teachers will be arriving on buses provided by the LaBelle Rotary and LaBelle Kiwanis Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Upthegrove Elementary School students will walk to Hendry House on Tuesday since the park is just a few blocks from the school.

Photo: The 4th grade class of Mr. Aho and Ms. Andrews from Country Oaks Elementary School learned about saving water and money by switching to high efficiency toilets being offered free of charge to customers of Port LaBelle Utility System. Seated on the left "throne" is Eric Escobedo and on the right "throne" is Ian Jobson. (Photo courtesy of Dr. John Capece)

Center Activities include Tree Cookies and a nature walk by staff of the Florida Department of Forestry, Energy: Solar and Wind by the Agrcultural Extension Office and water conservation by LaBelle Utilities and Southern Data Stream interns.

A study of Florida animals will include Gopher Tortoise and the Wood Duck by Florida Master Naturalists and Hendry-Glades Audubon.

Man Shot To Death In Clewiston

One Dead, One Injured In Hendry Shooting

CLEWISTON, FL. --Hendry County Deputies from the Clewiston District, are investigating the shooting death of 26-year-old Charles Edward Foster, Jr. of Belle Glade, Florida. 

Foster was pronounced dead by emergency medical personnel in the early morning hours of May 1, 2011 after suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.

When deputies arrived on scene they also discovered 39-year-old Samuel McKenzie, Sr. suffering from gunshot wounds and was airlifted to a local trauma center.

Circumstances involving the shooting are still under investigation, says the Hendry Sheriff's department.  Anyone with any information is asked to call Hendry County Sheriffs Office Investigators Mike McVey 863-674-5600 in LaBelle or Chris Buchhofer at (863) 805-5000 in Clewiston.