Georgia and Florida ending senior citizen license exemption

An agreement between Florida and Georgia that allows senior citizens from either state to hunt and fish in fresh water without licenses in both states is about to end, according to the Florida Wildlife Commission.

The agreement, which dates back to 1981, will end on June 30.

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 Wednesday to end the reciprocal agreement concerning freshwater fishing, as well. The agreement never has exempted nonresident seniors 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.