wildlife

Florida’s winter season begins in November, and when the water temperatures change, manatees instinctively travel closer, hugging the coastlines of Florida’s warmer waters. In Hernando County, some manatees migrate to areas along the Weeki Wachee River. The inlets like Mud River and Jenkins Creek the water temperature is steady at 72–74 °F, a perfect place for a manatee’s winter retreat. 

This past weekend I was honored with an invitation to carry a special young man to hunt his first hog on a beautiful ranch near Polk City, Fl.  Thirteen-year-old, Hunter Geer is new to the hunt although he did find success on his first whitetail this past November. But, when I extended the invitation to hunt hogs, he didn’t hesitate.  Naturally, I had checked with his parents ahead of time and was mighty tickled to have the chance to get the little man back in the woods.

During the mid-1930s to 1940s, poisonous cane toads were introduced into Florida to control agricultural pests found in sugar cane fields. Their ravenous appetites and large mouths were attributes thought to be ideal for pest management. However, it is believed this round of released toads did not survive. 

by TOBY BENOIT

During our last trip to the Everglades, my best hunting buddy, Meghan Bailes and I joined The Wildman, Dusty Crum, his long-time girlfriend Natalee Mckinney and fellow member of the South Florida Water Management District’s, Python Eradication Team, Greg Morris, for a night’s hunt, searching for wild Burmese pythons.  I had the pleasure of interviewing them about the plight of the Everglades and it’s native wildlife.  

On May 30, 2019, at 5:10 PM, FHP Troopers responded to the call of an injured pelican atop the Sunshine Skyway Bridge along the southbound lanes.  The pelican had injured wings and was walking in the travel lanes.  Troopers and Road Rangers secured the pelican against the outside concrete barrier wall and transported the bird to the South Skyway Fishing Pier where wildlife rescue professionals took custody of the pelican to later transport the animal to Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in In

In 1998, Florida suffered one of the most devastating wildfires documented, with over 500,000 acres of forest and private lands devastated in Brevard County.

Within the last ten years, Hernando County has had over 270 fires, with 7,143 acres burning due to wildfires. Lightning is a significant factor in causing wildfires.

In 2017, Hernando County and much of the state was in a drought. A front went through Hernando Beach and lightning struck in Weekiwachee Preserve causing a wildfire.

The Osceola Wild Turkey was named after the famous Seminole Chief Osceola in 1890 and can be found only in Florida.  These wild turkeys thrive in open terrain of longleaf pine forests, oaks and grasslands habitats.

Wild turkeys were once abundant in Florida. In 1860, it was estimated that there were more turkeys than humans.  Wild turkey populations declined throughout the country due to over harvesting and habitat loss, but populations remained healthy in Florida- due to the area's inhospitable environment.  

According to the U.S. census in 2010, the population in Hernando County was estimated at 172,000 and seven years later that number rose to 186,000.

The rise of the population means more land development which in turn means more wildlife habitat lost especially for one particular species that holds an extremely valuable place in our ecosystem: The Florida Gopher Tortoise.

Hernando County is a great place to fish, with a mixture of fresh brackish water to the wide-open Gulf. Anglers can enjoy casting off at Jenkins Fishing Pier, Linda Pedersen Park and Bayport Park. These areas are also fantastic spots for nature photographers to capture those scenic sunsets and Great Egrets flying over the marshland. 

There is a favorite spot that I like to go to photograph. It’s a quiet little place with a variety of wading birds; pleasant for early morning walkers and bicyclists. This place is on Bayou Drive in Weeki Wachee, FL.