Eglin AFB Natural Resources - Niceville, Florida

Mario Ragucci

Mr . ML, who works at Jackson Guard for several years, who manages the restricted lands at Eglin off Hwy 85....that is a great man. In those restricted lands off 85 is a cemetery I learned about on line in 2013 where my ancestors are. As a kid I had heard about that cemetery.
Mr. ML received my phone calls from Seattle where I live when I reached out to Jackson Guard from tips I had seen online.
Three years ago, Mr ML coordinated with me in Seattle and made me feel at peace, knowing I could contact him when I came to Niceville. I had to pay my respects to my ancestors and see for myself.
Mr ML was on time when he met me and drove me out (several miles) to the cemetery site on restricted lands. There is no way I could have done this without Mr ML. I visited Niceville in 2014 and just last month and both times Mr ML coordinate with me. There really are no words that can express how thankful I am to Mr ML and Jackson Guard, who ushered me to a very holy patch of land on restricted Eglin AFB where all my grand moms ancestors are laid to rest. Jackson Guard did not charge me for taking me out to the restricted cemetery and are fortunate to have Mr ML and it was really a big deal for me, being from Seattle, to get that opportunity in 2014 and 2016.

Emily M

2 stupid old women work at the desk and no nothing about the places that you are getting permits from. Asked to go camping at airfield base and they didn’t know if my trailer would fit so they gave me a terrible spot in the middle with no privacy. No other spots where occupied and I would have fit at any of the spots. Then they gave out permits to other people this week for campsites right beside the one they gave me. Once again this is an empty field with plenty of spots but 2 people who can’t rub one brain cell between them work at this desk. Camping doesn’t mean I want a crowd of people around them.

The Daigles

While I don't think there is anything particularly bad about Jackson Guard, the woman who answers the phone when you push "zero" to reach the operator is very rude. I called asking for help with lost and found on the Eglin reservation. I explained I had a range pass and need to know who to call to see if someone turned in my wallet. She kurtly told me the number is in the front of the book. Well, I happened to get my range pass online and don't have a printed book. It would have been a much nicer phone conversation if she just did her job, and helped without the additional snippy comment.

CHAOSNCHECK T

My wife and I visited on 9 Feb and purchased two year long passes for $40. The lady behind the counter was very nice (blond with glasses) and told me that since I was retired, I would also get a permit for hunting (which I didn't need). She explained the general dos and don'ts and then asked us to watch a 7min video. Afterwards she reminded us of the website to check before we headed out.
The next day we planned to hit about 9-Geocache sites along Range Road. When we arrived there was cable across the road saying restricted area (I had checked the map that morning and there was no training scheduled). We went back to the office and while the lady who helped us the day before was there, there was also a thin older blond who was really a B%$%^TH. I couldn't get a word in to ask why the area was closed, she just kept rattling off areas that I could go to which made no sense since I was new to the area. She finally said I had to check in at the Duke Field Jackson Guard office (like I know where that is) and they could give me permission to drive into the area because it was hunting season. So, why could I drive the roads but not walk them? She was very rude and really pissed me off. We left but returned and I went in to demand to speak to a supervisor and get my money back My good fortunate this rude lady wasn't there, but the one who had previously helped was. She was apologetic and took time to explain the areas and offered me a hunting schedule (not offered the day before) but had no explanation as to how someone new to the area would know they needed to check in at the Duke Field office, or that areas were closed for hunting. To add further insult, she said some of the areas I could not take my 11lb mix since dogs were not allowed. I had to ask - wait I can't take my dog on a USMil reservation gravel road that is home to an unknown number of animals and she said yes, even if the dog is on a leash. As to why this rule is there I was offered no explanation. In the end, she offered to refund my money (something their website says they won't do) she obviously appreciated my frustration. In the end, I relented and kept our permits simply due to the fact she tried to answer our questions and was polite.

Lawrence Holst

They have the very difficult task of balancing military testing and training with endangered species and public recreation. There are a lot of complaints on here that don't realize that #1 Most of your questions would be answered if you just looked at the rules online. #2 Public recreation and service are understandably not a priority when they are tasked with allowing the public to access 724 square miles full of bombs, missiles, military weapons, dangerous animals, endangered plants and animals, and a lot of people with guns and bows. It's a very daunting task and given the circumstances I think the public should be grateful they are even allowed access to Eglin. Thank you Eglin for allowing us to access this beautiful patch of North Florida and Thank you Jackson Guard for protecting it as well as you do.

*Dog access to certain areas is restricted because they are dog hunting areas as explained in the rules.
*Even active duty military need to get a permit to access Eglin for recreation. Veterans get a discount on an already cheap permit.
*Someone who works for the EPA who is reporting violations to laws set up to protect endangered species is simply doing their job. Educate yourself.

Luke M

The lady here is very mean and unhelpful. I came in for some directions and as soon as I walked in she started talking to her coworker about cheese grits. I waited for 5-10 minutes until she asked what I needed, so I asked for directions and she started yelling that I should have looked at the map online. I did look at the map online and I told her that, but I guess she couldn't hear it over all of her yelling. I just thought some directions would make it nicer and easier. This lady ruined my day and I never found the place I was looking for because she wouldn't help. If you don't want to be treated like garbage for walking into a building then I wouldn't recommend going in here for any reason.

Ted Futterer

Ladies at front desk are always friendly and helpful. Staff does an outstanding job organizing different functions and go out of their way to ensure that all hunt participants have everything they need to make long time memories. Hats off to all the dedicated folks

lionspiritualjourney

1. They seem to really want to arrest you and not EDUCATE you.
2. They want to make examples out of everyone and not EDUCATE you.
3. It is ok that they kill lots of animals coyotes, ghost crabs, ect. well anything they have to kill to save endangered species. They are quick to condemn you for killing something even accidentally....Huge report!
4. They seem like they own the land personally and it all belongs to them and you are not allowed to look at, touch, see, view, anything without them being very extreme on trying to make an example out of you even when you are trying to do the RIGHT thing.
5. The EPA people are extremist I would advise not to ask them questions to learn anything because they really want to find out what you know so that they can again make an example out of you.
6. Under no circumstance would you tell any of these people about anything on your land because they will seem nice to you then go back and report you so be extremely careful.
7. Do not help gopher turtles across the road...I mean you could but the arresting officer could think you are trying to take it home and then BAM you are arrested. Mostly the EPA are the ones that are really just crazy. Your innocence may cause you to be arrested.
8. Do not think that if you see a cool looking animal/object that you should tell them about it because it seems that that makes them mad too. It seems to make them mad because they weren't the ones who saw it and maybe you were not suppose to be there and if you were not there then they could hoard it all for themselves and they MIGHT could have found it and become the hero.
9. They are not appreciative of information matter of fact, if you give them any then you probably broke the laws in some way to have that information and if you didn't break the law they will surely make another rule to go along with the million they already have in place. "DO NOT DISTURB ANY SOIL ON EGLIN RANGE"
10. I believe the wording is "You are not allowed to disturb the soil on Eglin Range".
11. I had the privilege of talking to one of the EPA people and I thought I walked away with a world of knowledge to share with a lot of people. I actually did try to help turtles and I actually tried not to run over snakes and such. That was the worse person I actually ever ended up talking to in my life. I was pro animal life and pro HELPING endangered species and pro EDUCATING PEOPLE but they are pro hoarding, being selfish, not educating, and also I think they get a badge of honor for reporting even the innocent.
12. I don't know one person who likes them!
13. If they actually acted like they cared about people and their intent and if they were interested in educating the public then my opinion would change. Once they get rid of their God complex and realize we are humans and not robots who are all out to do the most evil we can then I think that Jackson Guard and the human race could get along. No I have not been arrested or gotten any fines ect. I am talking about the EPA people working with people and maybe taking some classes on social skills and not necessarily watching a video. Human connection is a huge thing and you would be amazed at how many people would prefer to help instead of hinder!!! Also it would be helpful to people to know that if what they thought was help was actually not helping the EPA well then that would be great education. Why is it necessary to make everyone out there despise you? When they despise you then JG can actually turn people to an opposite and bad view of wildlife and artifacts.