Waterfowl Standby Opportunities

A Waterfowl Standby Opportunity is used to distribute waterfowl hunting opportunities that are created by hunters who do not show up for morning Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) hunts. Hunters must be issued a Waterfowl Standby Opportunity to be eligible to replace no-show hunters. These standby opportunities will be available for five different periods: September Special Early Duck, Regular Season A, B, C and Active Military and Veteran. The following information provides further details on specific information regarding these standby opportunities.

Note: There is no guarantee that a person on a standby list for a given morning hunt will get the opportunity to enter the area to hunt. Standby hunters will replace permitted no-show hunters in order of the random drawing until the quota is met.

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Standby Opportunity – September Special Early Duck Worksheet

Standby Opportunity – Regular Season A Worksheet

Standby Opportunity – Regular Season B Worksheet

Standby Opportunity – Regular Season C Worksheet

Standby Opportunity - Active Military and Veteran Worksheet

Cost: $0.00 to apply, $0.00 per standby opportunity.

Requirements to Apply: Unless exempt, hunters must have a valid Management Area Permit to apply.

Exemptions: There are no exemptions for standby opportunities.

Group Applications: Group applications are not available for standby opportunities.

Preference Points: There are no preference points for standby opportunities.

Transferability: These standby opportunities are not transferable.

How to Apply: Applicants can apply online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com (sign on and choose “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permit”) or by completing an Application Worksheet and presenting it to any license agent or tax collector's office. Each applicant may make up to 10 choices on an application in Phase I, and one choice on an application in Phase II Leftovers.

Application and Issuance: Applicants may submit one application in Phase I. Standby opportunities are issued by random drawing during Phase I. It's possible applicants could be awarded as many opportunities as they apply for in Phase I. However, applicants may not be awarded more than one standby opportunity per day. During Phase II Leftovers, standby opportunities are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: All standby opportunity drawing results will be posted at MyFWC.com/STA, and will not be on an applicants GoOutdoorsFlorida.com customer account.

Drawing Results: Drawing results are typically posted within three business days after the application period ends.

Standby Opportunity Status Notification: Hunters who were awarded a standby opportunity will be notified of their status via an email that will explain the standby process and direct them to the posted list to assess their position on the list. There will be no physical permit for persons on the standby lists. However, the standby list will be available at MyFWC.com/STA .

Guests: Each standby opportunity holder may bring the designated number of hunt party participants as determined by each STA.

License Requirements to Hunt Waterfowl in Florida: Unless exempt, those hunting Public Waterfowl Areas must have a valid Hunting License, Florida Waterfowl and Management Area Permits, and a Migratory Bird Permit. All hunters 16 and older must also possess a current Federal Duck Stamp.