New 2026-2027 Duette Preserve Hunt Program Important Updates

We hope you are looking forward to another safe and successful season at Duette. As we prepare for the 2026–2027 hunting season, we want to share two important updates that will help protect the land, improve safety, and ensure a fair and organized hunt sales process for everyone.

1. No Driving Off Numbered Trails

Beginning June 1^st 2026 driving off numbered trails will not be permitted under any circumstances. This includes:

• Retrieving harvested game
• Putting in or taking out stands
• Scouting or accessing hunting locations
  

*Violation of the no off trail driving rule will result in expulsion from Duette preserve and the hunt program for one full year from the date of violation.

 These changes are being made to protect sensitive habitat, prevent resource damage, and ensure that all visitors experience the preserve safely and responsibly. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to safeguard Duette’s natural resources for generations to come.

 2. Hunt Sales Process – First Come, First Served

 For this season, hunt sales will move to a first-come, first-served system, conducted in person at the Duette check station.

 Hunt Sales Procedure

• All hunters will enter through the Logue Road gate only.
• On Friday June 19^th at 3:00 PM the Logue Rd gate combo will be changed to 8888 to allow hunters to begin entering Duette preserve. Note all other access gates into Duette Preserve will not be accessible.
• Upon arrival, please proceed to the Duette Preserve check station and begin to line up behind the marked line in the order you enter. There will be no saving of spaces in line.
• Camping will be allowed in the designated campground; however, vehicles must remain parked in the same order in which they arrived. “Walk in access only.” Pull behind campers are permitted but must remain in line.
• Processing will begin on Saturday June 20^th at 6:00 AM.
• We will lock the Logue Rd gate at 1:00 PM on Saturday June 20^th. All hunters in before that cut off will be processed. Please be patient as we expect a high volume of applicants.
• Hunts will be sold in the order hunters are lined up.
• The Hunt Application will be available online and at the Duette Preserve check station office on May 15^th, 2026. Please have application filled out and have cash or blank check ready to speed up processing.
• Individuals may only turn in their own application and/or their spouse’s application.
• Please bring a copy of your hunters’ safety education card.

 After purchase, all hunters will exit through the main Duette gate on Rawls Road. Note: No re-entry back into the preserve will be allowed at this time. All remaining unsold hunts will be available for sale through the check station office after Sunday June 21^st 2026

 We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these changes. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and fair as possible while continuing to protect Duette’s unique wildlife and habitats. Thank you for your continued support and stewardship of the preserve.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 941-737-2661

Trail Map Route for Saturday June 20th 2026 Sales Day at the Duette Preserve Check station:

 

Download the Hunt Application - Available May 15th 2026

Download the Hunt Brochure - Available May 15th 2026

Manatee County manages a hunt program at Duette Preserve and the following is a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting in Duette Preserve. For the exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations of Florida, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Wildlife Code on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries.

GENERAL REGULATIONS:

In addition to the regulations which follow, all laws and regulations of the State of Florida relating to wildlife shall apply. Duette Preserve is not a state wildlife management area. It is managed by Manatee County Government. Duette Preserve regulations are more restrictive than the state regulations. Hunting or the taking of wildlife shall be allowed only during the state open seasons and Preserve scheduled hunt weekends, and only in the manner set forth herein.

EACH HUNTER IS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF AND ADHERING TO ALL LAWS AND RULES PERTAINING TO THIS HUNT PROGRAM AND DUETTE PRESERVE.

1. Each new participant must provide a copy of his/her Hunter Safety Certificate at the time of registration. No exceptions.
2. Any person entering Duette Preserve during the prescribed hunts, other than archery hunts, shall wear at least 500 square inches of Dayglo fluorescent orange material above the waistline as an outer garment. A head covering of the same color is also required. The Dayglo fluorescent orange material must be visible at all times, including while in ground blinds.
3. During hunt weekends, access to Duette Preserve is restricted to hunters with a valid hunt permit for the designated hunt and two immediate family members (see Children and Family). Entry and exit is permitted through the Check Station only.
4. The use of feeders, baiting, or the possession of baiting materials of any kind is prohibited. Trapping of any kind is prohibited.
5. There are quiet times during the Big Game season. Walking around or driving during this time is prohibited. A Quiet Time Schedule is distributed at Orientation and is posted at the Check Station on the board with the buck quota.
6. Male deer (buck) must have a minimum of three (3) points on one side. (A point is defined as antler growth off the main beam that is 1” in length.)
7. A buck harvest quota is established for each Big Game weekend. Unfilled buck quotas are not carried over to future hunts. If the buck quota is filled on the first day of the hunt weekend, only feral hogs may be taken the second day. The buck quota is posted at the Check Station. Only one deer may be harvested per permitted hunter per Big Game Weekend, regardless of quota.
8. All deer must be dressed at the Check Station so the health of the harvested deer can be evaluated. All deer harvested are required to have one jawbone extracted for aging. All hogs shall be dressed at the check station, unless justification is accepted and prior verbal authorization is given by a ranger on duty.
9. Transport of deer or parts of the deer off of the property requires a copy of the harvest sheet signed by staff. It is the hunter’s responsibility to acquire a copy of the harvest sheet from staff. See Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Hunting Handbook for state rules on dismemberment.
10. Hunting is prohibited in areas posted “No Hunting.”
11. STATE REGULATIONS REGARDING BUFFER ZONE DISTANCES APPLY.
12. The waste of wildlife is prohibited.
13. No plants, or their parts, or any animals shall be introduced, liberated, planted, or placed in any part of Duette Preserve by visitors.
14. Littering and the possession of alcohol is prohibited everywhere within Duette Preserve.
15. In accordance with Manatee County Code of Ordinances staff may order any person to leave the park and may also request law enforcement to deliver such an order if they exhibit disruptive or unsafe behavior.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY

• Only two (2) immediate family members (defined as a spouse or child 17 years or younger) may accompany a permitted hunter. Family members must show proof of having completed a Hunter Safety Course.
• Children under the age of 18 cannot possess a permit and are required to accompany a permitted adult. (Only two children per permitted adult.)
• Children participating in the Youth Hunt must have completed a Hunters Education Course and be in the presence and under the supervision of an adult. F.S. 790.22 and 784.05.

HUNTING SAFETY

• During Muzzle-loader season firearms may be discharged at the Check Station area. Please notify staff first.
• Please follow ethics and safety practices learned as provided by State Hunters Safety Education Course.

DOGS

• Only leashed dogs suitable for trailing wounded game will be permitted during the Big Game season.
• During Small Game hunts, only bird dogs (pointers and retrievers) will be allowed.
• All dogs must wear collars bearing the name and address of the owners and have proof of current rabies vaccination.
• In all cases owners are responsible for their dogs and their dogs’ actions.

STANDS and TRAIL CAMERAS

• All stands and trail cameras must have the name and phone number of the hunter clearly marked within 5 feet of the ground. If this information is not on the stand, Department staff will remove the stand from Duette Preserve.
• Only two stands per hunter allowed. Stands include climbers, ground blinds, chairs, etc.
• Climbing stands and ground blinds may be placed or moved before or after the Quiet Time during Big Game hunts. No other hunting stands may be moved during Big Game hunts.
• No permanent stands or stands that will damage vegetation will be permitted.
• Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
• Prescribed fire is applied year-round. Staff are not responsible for personal property left on site.
• No hunting is allowed within 100 feet of mapped trails, which includes sitting in vehicles or blinds. Trails are not to be used as shooting lanes.

VEHICLES