Florida and Georgia ending Senior Citizen License Exemption

Janet Holley, Escambia County Tax Collector, announces that an agreement between Florida and Georgia that allows senior citizens (age 65 and older) from either state to hunt and fish in fresh water without licenses in both states will end on June 30. The agreement dates back to 1981.

Georgia officials announced in May 2007 that economic realities have rendered the reciprocal agreement no longer feasible for hunting, and it will come off the books. The nature of the agreement requires that Florida follow suit. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted April 9, 2008 to end the reciprocal agreement concerning freshwater fishing, as well. The agreement never has exempted nonresident senior from either state from saltwater fishing license requirements.

Senior citizens who are Florida residents may continue to hunt and fish in Florida without purchasing a Florida license, although the FWC encourages seniors to purchase licenses to support conservation.