Page 1 of 8 Indian Hammock Hunt & Riding Club, Inc. Hunting Program Standard Operating Procedures Big and small game hunting is available to qualified Indian Hammock members and their families in designated game areas. Each must pay applicable fees, execute liability releases, and provide evidence of applicable licenses. This Standard Operating Procedure ( SOP ) as amended, constitute the Hunting Rules and Regulations of Indian Hammock Hunt and Riding Club, Inc. ( IH ). CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL A. Definitions: The following defined terms shall apply throughout this SOP Game Laws - all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Hunter - a Member Hunter or Family Hunter eligible under Chapter 3. Minor - anyone under the age of 18. Must be accompanied by Member Hunter in the immediate vicinity of an elevated station (i.e./tree stand) or side-by-side if walking. Immediate Family - a spouse, son or daughter, mother or father, a brother or sister, niece or nephew, a son-inlaw or daughter-in-law, a grandchild or a legally dependent child of the Member Hunter. Small Game - quail, rabbit, armadillo, opossums, coyotes, dove, duck, snipe, and squirrel. Large Game - deer, turkey and hog. Archery includes crossbow, longbow, recurve, and compound bows. B. Organization: Hunt Committee - members are selected by the Chairman, who is appointed annually by the IH President. This committee develops and operates the hunt program in accordance with this SOP. It provides and maintains game feeding stations and wildlife food plots which benefit all wildlife in IH. The hunt programs are selfsupported by the hunters. The committee provides sanctions for any minor (paperwork) violations of the SOP by any Hunter. Manager - provides administrative support for hunt reservations and Hunter files. He acts as liaison between the Hunt Committee, the cattle lessee and state and federal game officials. IH Board of Directors - approves this SOP and any amendments, and provides sanctions for any serious violations of the SOP by any Hunter or other person. C. Hunting facilities. The Board of Directors periodically establishes hunt areas and safety zones after consultations with the Hunt Committee. All such areas are non-exclusive, multiple-use facilities. Riders, hikers, and vehicles should be expected and respected during hunts. Current gun and archery hunt areas; fenced feeder locations and fenced feed plots; Released Quail hunt areas, and Safety zones as established and marked around each hunt area, are all shown on Exhibit A to this SOP. Each Hunter is responsible for knowing the boundaries of these areas and zones. No weapon may be discharged in, over or into safety zones except for the taking of wounded game as provided in Chapter 6 of this SOP. CHAPTER 2 - SAFETY RULES A. Gun handling 1. Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
Page 2 of 8 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. 3. Always keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until ready to use. 4. Know your target and what is beyond. 5. Be sure the gun is safe to operate. 6. Know how to use the gun safely. 7. Use only the correct ammo for your gun. 8. All firearms being transported are to be unloaded. 9. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting. 10. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. B. Emergency contact numbers 1. Emergency calls 911 2. Raulerson Hospital, Okee 863-763-2151 3. Lawnwood Hospital, Ft. Pierce 800-433-2673 4. IH guard gate 863-763-8807 5. IH office 863-763-9401 6. IH Duty Officer 863-447-1234 7. IH office address 32801 Hwy 441, No., #400 34972 8. IH airport coordinates 27-32-31N 80-49-59W 9. IH airport GPS= FL75 C. Hunting is principally a solitary sport which depends for its safety on the self-discipline and training of the hunter. Please conduct yourself accordingly. CHAPTER 3 - ELIGIBLE HUNTERS A. Member Hunter must annually: 1. Be a member in good standing of IH. 2. Possess all current required state and federal licenses, permits, stamps and certificates applicable to his hunt, with copies on file with the IH office. 3. Current photo ID and signed Hold Harmless & Indemnification Agreement ( Liability Waiver ) (Exhibit D) on file with the IH office 4. All required IH fees paid at office. 5. On an annual basis the IH office will forward to all eligible hunters the most current SOP/Rules update with an annual acknowledgement form (to be signed and returned to the office prior to making reservations) stating that the hunter has received, reviewed and understands all current rules. It is the member hunter s responsibility to be aware and comply with all State and Federal requirements. It is the member hunter s responsibility to review all applicable rules with any family member hunters. This will be forwarded electronically or by mail to current available address. If not received, it is the Member Hunter s responsibility to obtain from IH Office. B. Family Hunter must annually 1. Must be a member of a Member Hunter s Immediate Family and hunt with an eligible Hunt Member. 2. Possess all current required state and federal licenses, permits, stamps and certificates applicable to his hunt, with copies on file with the IH office.
Page 3 of 8 3. Current photo ID and signed Liability Waiver (Exhibit D) on file with the IH office, (signed by the Parent or Legal Guardian if a minor). 4. All required IH fees paid at office 5. Minors (under16) must have a Member Hunter present in the immediate vicinity (when in tree stands), or side-by-side on the ground. CHAPTER 4 FEES (Subject to change annually) A. Fees determined annually in conjunction with the Budget. B. Partial Hunt Fees Partial hunt fees for new IH Members only (IH Membership effective after start of current hunting season): Opening of Archery to January 1 Full Annual Fees; after January 1 to end of Spring Gobbler Half Annual Fees. CHAPTER 5 - RESERVATIONS A. Big Game. 1. All hunts require reservations. Only Member Hunters can reserve a hunt area. 2. No reservations will be accepted prior to 9:30AM on the call-in dates established by the Hunt Committee preceding the opening of an applicable season. Early call in dates for Archery, General Gun and Spring Gobbler season shall be the 2nd Monday before the opening date. Other (minor) season call in dates shall be the Monday before the opening date. 3. Reservations are made in person or by phone to the IH office. No walk-in reservations are allowed during first 2 weeks of archery season; all of muzzle loading season, and first 2 weeks of general gun season. During weekends (when office closed), only reservations for any open areas on that weekend that area not reserved, or for the following Monday can be made at the guard gate. 4. Only one reservation at a time may be made by a Member Hunter, and not more than two days may be outstanding during first two weeks of archery season, all of muzzle loading season and first two weeks of general gun season. Thereafter, up to three days by a Member Hunter may be outstanding. 5. Member hunters are limited to one reserved hunt area per lot per day. B. Small Game. 1. Small game hunters are not required to reserve an area. Small game hunters are required to advise office (weekdays) or gate (weekends/holidays) prior to entering a hunt area. If the area is currently reserved by a big game hunter (or in use by a small game hunter), the small game hunter must contact the reservation holder/current small game hunter to obtain permission to become an additional hunter in the area. 2. Self-directed quail hunts must reserve an area before the hunt, and otherwise comply with the Small Game requirements. 3. Self-directed quail hunters are not allowed in the hunt area designated for guided quail hunts, when guided hunt is ongoing. CHAPTER 6 - HUNTING DAYS AND PERMITTED WEAPONS. A. Big Game shotgun 1. Shotguns loaded with slugs or buckshot only (other than turkey). 2. Big Game (other than turkey) can be hunted only from tree stands or other elevated position when shooting slugs or solid projectiles. A safety harness should be worn in tree stands.
Page 4 of 8 3. No shooting in or into safety zones except to finish game wounded in hunt area. Dogs on leash may be used to track wounded game in safety zone only after notification to IH office or front gate. 4. Hunting permitted seven days a week, including holidays. 5. Hog hunting ends at end of spring gobbler season except for any special hunts authorized by the IH Manager. B. Big Game - muzzle loaders 1. Long guns loaded with slugs or buckshot only. 2. Big Game can be hunted only from tree stands or other elevated positions when shooting slugs or solid projectiles. A safety harness should be worn in tree stands. 3. No shooting in or into safety zones except to finish game wounded in hunt area. Dogs on leash may be used to track wounded game in safety zone only after notification to IH Office or front gate. 4. Hunting permitted seven days a week, including holidays. C. Big Game - archery (including crossbow) 1. Hunting permitted seven days a week, including holidays 2. Minimum draw weight of 35 pounds. 3. No shooting in or into safety zones except to finish game wounded in hunt area. Dogs on leash may be used to track wounded game in safety zone only after notification to IH Office or front gate. D. Small Game 1. Shotguns or long guns with 71/2 shot or smaller. 2. Hunting permitted seven days a week, including holidays. 3. No shooting in or into safety zones except to finish game wounded in hunt area. E. NO RIFLES OR HANDGUNS MAY BE FIRED OR OTHERWISE USED FOR HUNTING IN IH. F. NO BIG GAME MAY BE HUNTED WITH DOGS CHAPTER 7 - SPECIAL HUNTING PROVISIONS A. Deer 1. Taking of bucks with less than 6 points is prohibited. 2. State law applies to hunting of deer in the area of food plots and feeders. 3. Antlerless deer may be taken during the muzzleloading and general deer seasons if in possession of an antlerless deer tag ( Tag or Tags ), and during the archery season without such a Tag. 4. Tags, when available, are issued upon request, by the IH office. They may be picked up either in person, or by other arrangements made with the office. The Tag must be locked on the carcass of the taken deer immediately and before transporting it, and remain affixed until the deer is dismembered and at the hunter s home. 5. Unused Tags and a game harvest report (Exhibit C) showing the Tag number (if used,) must be returned to the office, front gate or box outside the front gate at the end of the Hunter s reserved hunts. HUNTERS NOT RETURNING UNUSED TAGS WILL NOT BE ISSUED TAGS FOR THE REST OF THE CURRENT SEASON AND THE NEXT SEASON. Hunters with an outstanding Tag will be unable to make another reservation until returned. Lost Tags must be reported to the Hunt Committee Chairman for a decision on replacement.
Page 5 of 8 B. Turkey (gobblers only) 1. May be taken by shotgun or bow and arrow only. 2. May not be taken within 100 yards of any feeder. C. Hog 1. May be hunted from archery season to end of spring gobbler season. 2. May be hunted in the proximity of feeders and food plots D. Tree stands 1. Must be marked with owner s name and lot number. If unmarked, they will be removed and destroyed. 2. Stands may not be set until 30 days before archery season. 3. Stands must be removed within 30 days from end of spring gobbler season. After this date, they will be removed, and a $25 removal fee charged if the owners name is on the stand, and $50 for unmarked stands that are not destroyed. 4. Stands may not be nailed, bolted, or otherwise affixed in a manner to cause any injury to the tree. 5. A safety strap or harness should be used when hunting from a stand. E. Miscellaneous 1. Any domestic animal in the hunt areas must be under direct human control at all times. 2. Hunting hours and other matters regulated by state or federal hunting regulations apply to IH hunting, save as changed herein. 3. Use of spotlights for hunting in the hunt areas is prohibited, 4. Dogs whether under direct control or not, are not permitted in the hunt areas after dark, and never allowed to roam free (out of sight). 5. Immediately after completion of a reserved hunt, the Member Hunter or other hunter shall complete and call-in or deposit with the IH office or front gate, a complete and accurate Game Harvest Report (Exhibit C). CHAPTER 8 - ENFORCEMENT A. Minor (paperwork) violations will be handled by the Hunt Committee, with a written disposition report to be sent to the IH office. B. Two or more minor violations by the same hunter during the same year will be considered a major violation C. Major violations will be reported to the IH Board for imposition of a penalty. Penalties may include suspension of the violator s right to hunt at IH. D. Violations of State or Federal game laws also constitute violations under this SOP CHAPTER 9 - GUIDED QUAIL HUNTS A. IH maintains a guided quail hunt area, and has arranged with a guide service to provide these hunts. Contact the IH office for more information on these hunts, and to reserve them.
Page 6 of 8 EXHIBITS Exhibit A: Maps of gun hunt areas; fenced feeders and feed plots; archery hunt areas; released quail hunt areas, and safety zones. Exhibit B: IH hunter safety and rules statement. Exhibit C: Game harvest report. Exhibit D: Waiver, hold-harmless and indemnification agreement. EXHIBIT A (Obtain current map from committee chair) EXHIBIT B INDIAN HAMMOCK HUNTERS SAFETY AND RULES STATEMENT I,, IH LOT# (Please print Name) Have received, reviewed and understand the Indian Hammock Hunt& Riding Club, Inc. Hunting Program Standard Operating Procedures dated/revised 9/13/15. It is my responsibility to comply with this SOP and all applicable State and Federal rules, regulations and requirements. It is my responsibility to review all applicable rules with any qualified Family Member Hunters as necessary. Failure to abide by any of the above could result in the Indian Hammock Board of Directors suspending or revoking my privilege to hunt on Indian Hammock property. SAFETY IS MY FIRST CONCERN Signed: Date:
Page 7 of 8 EXHIBIT C GAME HARVEST REPORT NAME LOT # DATE HARVESTED / / BIG GAME DEER: Sex: Buck Doe Weight # Points Spread Weight Fetus present: yes no HOG: Sex: Boar Weight Sow Weight Fetus present: yes no TURKEY: Gobbler Weight HUNT AREA TAKEN DOE TAG # SMALL GAME QUAIL: DOVE: SQUIRREL: OTHER: Number taken Number taken Number taken Number taken HUNT AREA TAKEN IDENTIFICATION TAG Your Name Preserve Name: INDIAN HAMMOCK HUNTING AND RIDING CLUB Date: / / Private Hunting Preserve Rule 15 Prior to being transported from a preserve, all carcasses, parts, and meat of game taken on preserves shall be properly identified with a tag or label with the name of the licensee, the name of the preserve, and the date such game is being transported from the preserve. In the case of transporting a quantity of game birds, where individual marking is not practical, the container being used to transport such game shall be tagged or labeled as specified above.
Page 8 of 8 EXHIBIT D WAIVER, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK AGREEMENT (MINOR) In consideration of being allowed to use of the hunting facilities at Indian Hammock Hunt & Riding Club, Inc. and other good and valuable considerations, receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Undersigned agrees to all of the following: Undersigned agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Indian Hammock Hunt & Riding Club, Inc., its officers, directors, employees and agents (Hereinafter referred to as the Club ), from any and all fault, liabilities, costs, expenses, claims demands or lawsuits arising out of, related to or connected with the Undersigned presence at, and/or participation in the discharge of firearms by the Undersigned, the Undersigned s family, guest and others; Undersigned, or Undersigned s family and guests presence on or use of the buildings, land and premises, (Hereinafter referred to as Premises ); including but not limited to liability in connections with the Club s OWN NEGLIGENCE, and any and all acts or omissions by the Undersigned or the Undersigned s his family, his guest or any other persons. Undersigned furthermore waives for himself/herself and for his/her family, executors, personal representatives, administrators, assignees, heirs and next of kin, any and all rights and claims for damages, losses, demands and any other actions or claims whatsoever, which he/she may have or which may arise against club (including but not limited to the death of Undersigned and/or any and all injuries, damages or illnesses related to or be connected with such persons use of the Premises; Undersigned s property (whether or not entrusted to Club); and, the discharge of firearms. Club shall not be liable for, and Undersigned, on behalf of himself/herself and on behalf of his/her family executors, personal representatives, administrators, assignees, heirs and next of kin hereby expressly releases the Club from any and all such claims and liabilities. Undersigned hereby expressly assumes risk of using firearms and taking part in the activities on the Premises, which may include but are not limited to the discharge of firearms and the firing of live ammunition. Undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that Undersigned has read this instrument and understands its terms and is executing this instrument voluntarily. Undersigned furthermore hereby acknowledges and agrees that he/she has read, understands, and will at all times abide by all Indian Hammock hunting rules, regulations and procedures. Undersigned expressly agrees that this instrument is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law, and that if any provisions of this instrument are held invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be impaired thereby. No remedy conferred by any of the specific provisions of this instrument is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise. The election of any one or more remedy hereunder by the club shall not constitute any wavier of the club s right to pursue other available remedies. This instrument binds the Undersigned and his/her family, executors, personal representatives, administrators, assignees, heirs and next of kin. I the Undersigned am the: ( Legal Guardian) ( Father) ( Mother) of: (a minor child years old). Undersigned: Undersigned(Print) Lot# Date Undersigned: Undersigned(Print) Lot# Date Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this day of 20 Signature (Notary as to Legal Guardian or Parent) Personally Known or Produced Identification NOTARY STAMP: Type of Identification Produced This agreement is valid until rescinded in writing.