News & Updates Archives - Kissimmee Valley Feed

Archive for the ‘News & Updates’ Category

2025 – 2026 Florida Hunting Season Dates

Friday, July 11th, 2025

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released the 2025 – 2026 Florida Hunting Season Dates. Check them out below! You can find more information on their website. Before you head to the lease, stop by the store!

Kissimmee Valley Feed is proud to stock wildlife and hunting products tons of wildlife feeds for all of you outdoor enthusiasts, including minerals and attractants. We carry brands like Evolved, Antler King, Purina, Mazuri and more!

2025 – 2026 Florida Hunting Season Dates Game Animals:

ANTLERED DEER – antler regulations vary by deer management unit.

Find hunting zone map and DMU-specific antler regulations

Zone A

Archery season: Aug. 2-31
Crossbow season: Aug. 2 – Sept. 5
Muzzleloading gun season: Sept. 6-19
Youth deer hunt weekend: Sept. 13-14 (1)
General gun season: Sept. 20 – Oct. 19, Nov. 22 – Jan. 4

and Zone B

Archery season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 16
Crossbow season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 21
Muzzleloading gun season: Nov. 22 – Dec. 5
Youth deer hunt weekend: Nov. 29-30 (1)
General gun season: Dec. 6 – Feb. 22

Zone C

Archery season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 12
Crossbow season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 17
Muzzleloading gun season: Oct. 18-31
Youth deer hunt weekend: Oct. 25-26 (1)
General gun season: Nov. 1 – Jan. 18

and Zone D

Archery season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26
Crossbow season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26, Dec. 1-5
General gun season: Nov. 27-30, Dec. 13 – Feb. 22
Youth deer hunt weekend: Dec. 6-7 (1)
Muzzleloading gun season: Dec. 6-12, Feb. 23 – March 1

ANTLERLESS DEER – deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches

Zone A

Archery season:
- DMU A2: Aug. 2-10
- DMU A3: Aug. 2-17
Crossbow season:
- DMU A2: Aug. 2-10
- DMU A3: Aug. 2-17
Youth deer hunt weekend:
- DMU A2 and DMU A3: Sept. 13-14 (1)
General gun season:
- DMU A2: Nov. 22-23
- DMU A3: Nov. 22-25

and Zone B

Archery season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 16
Crossbow season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 21
Muzzleloading gun season: Nov. 22 – Dec. 5
Youth deer hunt weekend: Nov. 29-30 (1)
General gun season: Dec. 27 – Jan. 4

Zone C

Archery season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 12
Crossbow season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 17
Muzzleloading gun season: Oct. 18-31
Youth deer hunt weekend: Oct. 25-26 (1)
General gun season:
DMU C1: Nov. 22-30
DMU C2: Nov. 22-30
DMU C3: Nov. 22-30
DMU C4: Nov. 22-30
DMU C5: Nov. 1-30
DMU C6: Nov. 22-30

and Zone D

Archery season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26
Crossbow season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26, Dec. 1-5
General gun season: Nov. 27-30, Dec. 13 – Feb. 22
Youth deer hunt weekend: Dec. 6-7 (1)
Muzzleloading gun season: Dec. 6-12, Feb. 23 – March 1

Bag Limit

Daily bag limit: 2 deer

Possession limit: 4 deer

Annual bag limit: 5 deer of which only 2 can be antlerless. However, in DMU D2, 3 of the 5 deer may be antlerless.

NOTE: Deer taken on private lands under the Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program and Deer Depredation Permit Program and on licensed game farms and hunting preserves are excluded from bag (daily and annual) and possession limits. Any deer testing positive for CWD also is excluded from all bag limits.

Deer Dog Training Season

Zone A: Aug. 16 – Sept. 4

Zone B: Nov. 1-20

Zone C: Sept. 27 – Oct. 16

Zone D: Oct. 25 – Nov. 13

(1) Youth deer hunt weekend

Youth 15-years-old and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn, but youth must be supervised by an adult, 18 years or older. Youth may use any legal method of take (including dogs) for deer, with a limit of 1 deer for the weekend that counts towards the youth’s annual statewide bag limit. This weekend does not apply to wildlife management areas.
Learn more about the youth deer hunting weekend.

TURKEY (gobblers and bearded turkeys only)

Fall Seasons

Daily bag limit: 2 turkeys

Season and possession limit: 2 for all fall seasons combined

Zone A

Archery season: Aug. 2-31
Crossbow season: Aug. 2 – Sept. 5
Muzzleloading gun season: Sept. 6-19
Fall turkey season: Oct. 6-19, Nov. 22 – Jan. 4 (2)

and Zone B

Archery season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 16
Crossbow season: Oct. 18 – Nov. 21
Muzzleloading gun season: Nov. 22 – Dec. 5
Fall turkey season: Dec. 6 – Feb. 1 (2)

Zone C

Archery season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 12
Crossbow season: Sept. 13 – Oct. 17
Muzzleloading gun season: Oct. 18-31
Fall turkey season: Nov. 1 – Dec. 28 (2)

and Zone D

Archery season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26
Crossbow season: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26, Dec. 1-5
Muzzleloading gun season: Dec. 6-12
Fall turkey season: Nov. 27-30, Dec. 13 – Jan. 18 (2)

Spring seasons (2)

Daily bag limit: 2 turkeys

Season and possession limit: 2 for all spring seasons

North of State Road 70

Youth turkey hunt: March 13-16 (3)
Spring turkey season: March 21 – April 26

South of State Road 70

Youth turkey hunt: Feb. 27 – March 2 (3)
Spring turkey season: March 7 – April 12

(2) Fall and spring turkey seasons – Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.

(3) Youth turkey hunt – Youth 15-years-old and younger can harvest turkey, but youth must be supervised by an adult, 18 years or older. However, adult supervisors with a hunting license and turkey permit can “call in” the turkey and otherwise participate in the hunt, but they cannot shoot or shoot at turkey. Learn more about the youth turkey hunt.

QUAIL

Statewide Nov. 8 – March 1

Daily bag limit: 12

Possession limit: 24

Rifles, shotguns, pistols, muzzleloaders, air guns, crossbows and bows may be used. Quail may also be taken during archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons using the respective methods of take allowed during those seasons.

BOBCAT

Statewide Dec. 1 – March 31

OTTER

Statewide Dec. 1 – March 1

Bobcats and otters may be taken by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow or bow.

Bag limits: No limit on bobcats and otters

Posted in Articles, News & Updates | Comments Off on 2025 – 2026 Florida Hunting Season Dates

Keeping Your Horse Cool In the Summer

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

Cool as a cucumber … but what if you are a horse! Summer heat and humidity can be a dangerous combination for active horses.

“Heat and humidity affect the horse, and with intense exercising, the excess heat has difficulty dissipating,” notes Dr. Glennon Mays, clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

“Heat is a normal by-product of working muscles and increases during periods of increased exercise,” explains Mays. “Normally a horse cools itself by sweating which causes heat loss and thus its body cools as sweat evaporates from the skin’s surface.”

When humidity is high, less moisture can evaporate from the skin surface. Therefore the surface blood vessels will enlarge to help rid the horse’s body of excess heat.

“Overheating, or hyperthermia in the horse is due to a disturbance in the heat regulating mechanism of the horse’s body,” says Mays. “In addition to summer heat and humidity, poor stable ventilation, prolonged exposure to sun, extreme exercise, transportation/trailering stress, as well as excess weight and poor conditioning may contribute to overheating.”

“If your horse does become overheated, move the horse to a shady area or to a cool, well-ventilated barn. Then spray with cool water and place ice packs on the horse’s head and large blood vessels on the neck and the inside of its legs,” states Mays. “Be careful to not spray the horse’s face or get water in its ears; just sponge these areas gently.”

Horses naturally tend to “cool out” while walking rather than standing still, notes Mays. Therefore, application of ice packs can be challenging.

Allow the horse to have several swallows of cool, clean, fresh water every few minutes. There is a possibility of colic if your horse drinks large quantities of water in a short period of time.

“To help your horse beat the heat, provide plenty of fresh, cool water,” notes Mays. “Keep water bucket or trough clean to promote drinking. Average size work horses can consume over 25 gallons of water per day when the temperature is above 70 degrees.”

Limit strenuous riding to late evening or early morning when the temperature is lower. Use less tack in the hot summer by minimizing saddle pads and leg boots. Also clip your horse’s coat and keep its mane and tail trimmed.

Heat stroke can happen to horses whether they are working hard, standing in stifling stables, or traveling in unventilated trailers, notes Mays. Call a veterinarian and take immediate action if your horse has elevated respiration or pulse (in an inactive horse), body temperature above 103 degrees, or irregular heart beat.

“Do the skin pinch test to check your horse’s hydration,” says Mays. Test for dehydration by pinching the skin along the horse’s neck. The skin should snap back quickly. If the pinched area collapses slowly the horse is dehydrated.
Hot weather does require that you give your horse special care. But, you and your horse can lessen summer’s hot days when you practice these cool tips to beat the heat.

Source: Pet Talk. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at http://tamunews.tamu.edu.

Posted in Articles, Horse, News & Updates | No Comments »

Avoid the Summer Pasture Slump

Saturday, July 5th, 2025

Avoid the summer pasture slump! The sight of fresh, green pastures as the summer months approach can be a welcome sight for many cattle producers. Especially after feeding costly forages throughout the winter.

However, just as quickly as that green grass comes, the pasture quality can diminish. Subsequently, leaving both pasture and cows’ nutrient deficient.

These potential nutrient deficiencies come at a critical time frame when the cow likely has a calf at side. Most likely, the cow is either on target for re-breeding or is already re-bred and trying to grow her developing calf. Cattle nutrient requirements are high during this period. There are a few ways to prepare for a decline in pasture quality.

Forages mature as the summer goes on, losing nutrients, specifically protein, and allowing cows to lose body condition.

If forages are running under 7 percent protein, then you likely don’t have enough protein to support the cow and her calf. The majority of producers across the United States, unless they have some high-quality forages stockpiled, are not above that level and will need to find additional nutrient sources.

Additional nutrient sources:

Protein supplements can be used to help avoid this slip in condition. Especially late summer and into fall when cattle pasture grasses can be at their lowest nutrition value.

Adding protein tubs or blocks are two ways a producer can supplement their cow herd during this time of high nutrient requirements. Protein supplements can be fed from mid to late summer through mid-fall. During the winter months cubes can be added. This helps to meet energy requirements.

Protein supplements should be added before cattle start losing body condition. It pays to plan ahead for pastures that may become nutrient deficient. In most cases, pastures see a significant decline in nutrients in the August to September timeframe. Evaluating your pasture at various times throughout the summer, specifically mid- to late-summer, and adding a supplement before the pasture quality is too far diminished will help avoid a slip in body condition.

Protein deficiency may become a herd health challenge if pastures are not adequately managed. Symptoms include reduced intake and forage digestibility, reduced growth rate (both fetus and calf), loss of weight, inadequate intake of other nutrients, delayed estrus, irregular estrus, poor conception rate and reduced milk production.

It all narrows down to making sure your cows have what they need, when they need it. If they’re not getting the complete nutrition they need when the pasture is at its worst quality, you will likely see challenges develop.

These challenges may be easily avoided. Implementing a protein supplement program is the best way. Does your nutrition program stack up? Avoid the summer pasture slump by calling or visiting the Kissimmee Valley Feed Store #1 location. We are stocked with nutrients for your cattle.

Posted in Articles, Cattle, News & Updates | Comments Off on Avoid the Summer Pasture Slump

The Impact of Heat Stress on Deer

Saturday, July 5th, 2025

The Impact of Heat Stress on Deer: Heat stress can have metabolic and hormonal effects on ruminants that have significant production impacts. This includes reduced feed intake, growth, milk production and reproduction. By understanding heat stress, when it occurs, and its impact on deer can help improve management decisions.

Understanding Heat Stress:

Each species has a specific thermoneutral zone (TNZ) where the animal feels comfortable. At temperatures below and above the TNZ, the metabolic rate increases to keep the body warmer or cooler. Due to the increased metabolic rate, a greater amount of energy is needed. It therefore negatively impacts health and productivity parameters. Moisture, wind chill, solar radiation, body condition and haircoat affect the temperature range. In white-tailed deer, the transitional hair coat in the fall offered more protection against temperature extremes than the summer coat and results in a larger TNZ.

Heat stress occurs when the temperature or temperature-humidity indices (a combination of ambient temperature and relative humidity) go above the upper critical temperature of the TNZ. For northern white-tailed deer the upper critical temperature is 68°F during the summer and 77° in the winter.

Effect on Different Species:

White-tailed deer reduce movement. In addition they spend more time lying, seek cooler locations, look for shelter from solar radiation, and pant to dissipate heat during heat stress. As panting increases, there is an increased risk of rumen acidosis. This is because of a decrease in rumen buffering capacity through increased exhalation of CO₂ and loss of saliva by drooling.

Elk rarely pant, but sweat to cool off. Deer under climatic stress, like heat, can have a negative effect on nutritional status. This occurs during a time when growth, lactation, and antler production happens. This reduction in productive activity is partly due to reduced feed intake, altered endocrine status, reduced rumination, nutrient absorption and increased maintenance requirements. This results in reduced energy and nutrient availability.

If heat stress occurs and results in a negative energy balance just after fawning, there could be an increased risk of metabolic disorders. In addition, health problems, decreased milk yield and reduced reproductive performance.

Reduced nutrient intake during lactation can also lead to inefficient nitrogen incorporation into microbial proteins in the rumen and loss of amino acids that were mobilized from skeletal muscle. Feed conversion efficiency is reduced. In part due to increased energy expended to rid the body of excess heat and reduced digestibility of higher fiber forages.

Management Activities:

The goal is to reduce the potential impact of heat stress to keep animals eating and in positive energy balance. One of those management activities could be to provide additional cover in the form of improved habitat. In addition, stands of trees or artificial shade structures. Water is important to help dissipate heat. Make sure deer have access to fresh water near every feeder or every 300 acres.

Climate Guard^® supplement was identified that support deer during climatic stress events like heat. Climate Guard^® supplement is in Purina^® AntlerMax^® deer feed. AntlerMax^® Deer Mineral and Extreme Energy^™ supplement is the exception.

In conclusion, do you have more questions about The Impact of Heat Stress on Deer? Visit Kissimmee Valley Feed. We have a great selection of Deer feed and supplies.

Article Source: Purina Animal Nutrition

Posted in Articles, News & Updates | Comments Off on The Impact of Heat Stress on Deer

Protect Pets from Summer Heat

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Temperatures are soaring into the 90s and 100s and such intense heat is not only dangerous for humans but for pets as well. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) offers a few tips to protect pets during summer heat waves.

Cars are potential death traps during the hot summer months because inside temperatures can quickly climb to more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit on even a mild sunny day. It’s best to leave your pet at home while running errands during hot weather.

If you absolutely must leave your pet in a car, please do the following:

Open windows and vents as wide as possible without providing an escape route; or, put your pet in a well-ventilated cage inside the car and open the windows fully.
Provide fresh water.
Check the car every 10 minutes.
If your pet is panting, has a staring or anxious expression, does not obey commands, has warm, dry skin and a high fever, rapid heartbeat, or is vomiting, lower the body temperature quickly with cool water – either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose. Call your veterinarian immediately.
If your pet lives outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter for protection from the midday sun and heat. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be some shade for the pet to get out of the sun.
Also, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available to your pet. The bowl should be placed in a shaded area where it cannot be heated by the sun.
Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days.
And, keep your pet well-groomed. Long hair and hair mats may need to be clipped to help cool the animal.

Source: Sand Road Animal Hospital

Posted in Articles, News & Updates, Pet | No Comments »

Archive for the ‘News & Updates’ Category

2025 – 2026 Florida Hunting Season Dates Game Animals:

ANTLERED DEER – antler regulations vary by deer management unit.

Zone A

and Zone B

Zone C

and Zone D

ANTLERLESS DEER – deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches

Zone A

and Zone B

Zone C

and Zone D

Bag Limit

Deer Dog Training Season

(1) Youth deer hunt weekend

TURKEY (gobblers and bearded turkeys only)

Fall Seasons

Zone A

and Zone B

Zone C

and Zone D

Spring seasons (2)

North of State Road 70

South of State Road 70

QUAIL

BOBCAT

OTTER

Additional nutrient sources:

Understanding Heat Stress:

Effect on Different Species:

Management Activities:

If you absolutely must leave your pet in a car, please do the following:

Navigation

Share this page

Calendar

July 2025

August 2025

Quick Info