68A-15.006. Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas

(1) The Commission may establish specific regulations for miscellaneous areas to regulate and manage the lands or waters therein in the best interest of the state.

(2) Kissimmee River Public Use Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Non-migratory game – Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except that open season for rabbit and gray squirrel shall be from the second Saturday in October through the first Sunday in March only and crossbow season shall be the last 5 days of the zonal crossbow season only.

2. Migratory game birds – Statewide regulations established under Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except that open season for crow shall be during the first phase of crow season only.

3. Furbearers – During the zonal antlered deer season only except that bobcat and otter may be taken only after November 30.

4. Wild hog – Opening the last Wednesday of April and closing 4 days thereafter and reopening the fourth Friday of May and closing 4 days thereafter.

5. Fishing and frogging – Permitted throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Antlerless deer may be taken only during the archery season in that portion of the area north of State Road 70 and during the last nine days of archery season in that portion of the areas south of State Road 70. Notwithstanding the gray squirrel and quail seasons established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., gray squirrel and quail may be taken during the general gun season established for this area. Bag and possession limits and shooting hours shall be those established under Rules 68A-13.003, 68A-13.004 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except that the daily bag limit for wild turkey shall be one per day.

(c) General regulations:

1. Taking wildlife with guns shall be prohibited in the marshes and uplands except during the period beginning on the opening day of rail season established in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C., and ending on the closing day of spring turkey season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited. The marshes shall be those lands outside the Kissimmee River channel, the C-38 canal, and the Istokpoga canal. In posted archery/muzzleloading gun areas, only bows may be used to take wildlife during the zonal archery season, only muzzleloading guns may be used to take wildlife during the zonal muzzleloading gun season, only bows may be used to take wildlife during the antlered deer season, and only bows and muzzleloading guns may be used to take wildlife during other established seasons. The take of wildlife with guns shall be prohibited in the marshes and uplands in the northern portion of Bluff Hammock lying in the west 1/2 of Section 26 and the east 1/2 of Section 27, Township 34 South, Range 31 East, which are posted as closed to hunting or fishing.

2. Shooting frogs shall be permitted only during hunting seasons established for this area and only with guns that are legal methods of take during each particular open hunting season.

3. All public use shall be prohibited in those areas posted as closed to afford protection to biologically sensitive resources or sites, protection of archeological or cultural resources, or for public safety reasons. Hunting shall be prohibited within 300 yards of any active construction site.

4. The use of airboats is prohibited in those areas posted as closed to airboat use.

5. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.

6. No person shall place, expose or distribute any grain or other food for wildlife except as authorized by permit from the executive director. No person shall take wildlife on any land or waters upon which grain or other food has been deposited.

7. Wild hog may be taken in accordance with the following provisions:

a. Wild hog may only be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset during any season open for the taking of game mammals or any season established for the taking of wild hog only, with no size or bag limit.

b. Methods of take, other than those allowed for the taking of game mammals during each open season, are prohibited.

c. Wild hog may not be transported alive.

8. Non-protected mammals and non-protected birds may be taken during any season open for the taking of game mammals or game birds, with no size or bag limit.

a. Methods of take, other than those allowed for the taking of game during each open season, are prohibited.

9. Taking wild turkey with firearms other than centerfire or muzzleloading shotguns using number 2 or smaller diameter shot during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

10. Electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Unless otherwise prohibited by specific area rule, Class 1 electric bicycles (as defined in Section 316.003, F.S.) are exempt from this restriction and may be used pursuant to regulations relating to bicycles.

(3) Babcock Ranch Preserve.

(a) Open season (in the Tier I hunt area):

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 10 days thereafter (Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – Opening 14 days prior to the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing two days thereafter.

3. Family – Opening the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 1 day thereafter and reopening 90 days later and closing 1 day thereafter.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – Opening 77 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter.

5. General gun – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 9 days thereafter, reopening 68 days later and closing 2 days therafter (Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only).

6. Small game – Opening 112 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 15 days thereafter, reopening 13 days later and closing 1 day thereafter (Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Spring turkey – Opening the first day of spring turkey season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 9 days thereafter (Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only).

8. Fishing and frogging – Prohibited.

9. Trapping – Prohibited.

(b) The following are the only species of wildlife legal to take within the Tier I hunt area: All legal game (except quail) and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the archery season, family and general gun for mobility-impaired hunts the bag limit for deer shall be two deer per quota permit. Only mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer during the general gun for mobility-impaired hunt. One antlered deer may be taken per person, but no more than two per quota permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun hunts. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but no more than two per quota permit may be taken during spring turkey season. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season.

(c) Regulations controlling activities within the Tier I hunt area:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game season.

2. Vehicles shall not be parked further than 25 feet from designated roads or parking areas.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, all-terrain vehicles, unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles and swamp buggies is prohibited, except that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) and golf carts may be used during the general gun for mobility-impaired season by certified mobility-impaired hunters.

4. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the area and check all game taken.

5. Vehicles must be operated on named or numbered roads, except ATVs, ROVs and golf carts during the mobility-impaired hunt.

6. No deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station.

7. Hunters shall enter and exit the area at the designated entrance only.

8. During periods open to hunting, access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset.

9. Scouting is allowed one day prior to each hunt from 8:00 a.m. to sunset by individuals in possession of a valid quota permit for that hunt, except during spring turkey when scouting is allowed one day prior to each hunt from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, and guest hunters and assistants may accompany them. There are no scout days for small game season.

10. During the mobility-impaired general gun hunt, access is restricted to certified mobility-impaired hunters with quota hunt permits, a non-hunting assistant and one guest permit holder who may also participate in the hunt, but must share the bag limit. All mobility-impaired hunt participants are required to attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting.

11. The regulations contained in Rules 68A-15.004 and 68A-15.005, F.A.C., not in conflict with specific area regulations, shall apply to this area.

12. Public access during the open seasons described in paragraph (a), is limited to those persons participating in the hunt, except that during the family hunt each quota permit will allow for 1 or 2 youth hunters, a supervising adult hunter, and 1 additional supervisor that may participate in the hunt to assist the youth hunters but may not harvest game, and except as provided by the Florida Forest Service.

13. Public access and use not relating to the take of fish and wildlife is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

14. The Tier I hunt area is that portion of the property located east of Brown’s Farm Grade; south of Tram Road; east of Cut-off Road; and north of Oil Well Grade.

15. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(d) Regulations controlling activities in the Tier II hunt areas:

1. Public access and use, except for the take of fish and wildlife, shall be regulated by the Florida Forest Service, except the Commission may authorize activities within designated Tier II hunt areas.

2. A written authorization or permit issued by the Commission, in addition to all regular permitting and licensing requirements, shall be required to take fish or wildlife within the designated Tier II hunting areas. These authorizations and permits shall be displayed for inspection upon the request of any law enforcement officer.

3. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except as provided by authorization from the Commission.

4. The take of wild turkey is prohibited except during the archery season, crossbow season, muzzleloading gun season, that portion of the general gun season that overlaps with Zone A fall turkey season, and spring turkey season.

5. The take of antlerless deer during the zonal antlerless deer season, crossbow season, muzzleloading gun season, that portion of the general gun season that overlaps with Zone A fall turkey season, is prohibited except by antlerless deer tag.

6. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and swamp buggies is prohibited, except as authorized by the Florida Forest Service or the Commission.

7. Vehicles shall be operated only on designated roads, parking areas, or other areas established and specifically identified by the Florida Forest Service, except as authorized by the Florida Forest Service or Commission.

8. The take of wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers may be used to take small game and non-protected birds.

9. Dogs may be possessed, under physical restraint only, during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.

10. Taking wild turkey with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns using number 2 or smaller diameter shot during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

11. The use of a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise is prohibited, except as authorized by the Commission.

12. Trapping is prohibited, except as authorized by permit issued pursuant to Division 68A, F.A.C.

13. Electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Unless otherwise prohibited by specific area rule, Class 1 electric bicycles (as defined in Section 316.003, F.S.) are exempt from this restriction and may be used pursuant to regulations relating to bicycles.

14. Notwithstanding the gray squirrel and quail seasons established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., gray squirrel and quail may be taken during the antlered deer season established for this area.

15. Access to any portion of the Babcock Ranch Preserve, including other Tier II areas, is prohibited, except as provided in subsection 68A-15.006(3). Permittees and participants shall enter and exit at their designated access route and proceed directly to their permitted area.

(e) Regulations controlling activities outside the Tier I and Tier II hunt areas.

1. Public access and use, except for the take of fish and wildlife, shall be regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

2. A written authorization or permit issued by the Commission, except as provided by subparagraph 3., in addition to all regular permitting and licensing requirements, shall be required to take fish or wildlife. These authorizations and permits shall be displayed for inspection upon the request of any law enforcement officer.

3. The Florida Forest Service may authorize the take of fish or wildlife consistent with Section 589.19(4), F.S., provided these authorizations shall not be more liberal than those found in Title 68 and Division 68A, F.A.C.

(f) The Commission may authorize or permit public access and use for the purpose of taking fish and wildlife, throughout the area.

(4) Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Non-migratory game – During Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except deer and turkey shall only be taken during those seasons established for Zone B and crossbow season shall be the last 5 days of the Zone B crossbow season only and gray squirrel shall only be taken from the second Saturday in October until the first Sunday in March.

2. Migratory birds – Statewide regulations established under Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except that open season for crow shall be during the first phase of crow season only.

3. Furbearers – During zonal antlered deer season established for Zone B only.

4. Fishing and frogging – Allowed throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers (except bobcat and otter), fish and frogs. The take of deer is prohibited in the East and West Shore Units. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. The take of beardless hen wild turkey is prohibited. The daily bag limit for wild turkey shall be one per day.

(c) General regulations:

1. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited on the Northwest Shore, East Shore, West Shore and Drasdo Units.

2. Taking deer and furbearers with dogs is prohibited.

3. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.

4. Shooting frogs shall be allowed only during hunting seasons established for this area and only with guns that are legal methods of take during each open hunting season.

5. The use of airboats is prohibited in those areas posted as closed to airboat use.

6. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.

7. No person shall place, expose or distribute any grain or other food for wildlife except as authorized by permit from the executive director. No person shall take wildlife on any land or waters upon which grain or other food has been deposited.

8. Wild hog may be taken in accordance with the following provisions:

a. Wild hog may be taken throughout the year with no size or bag limit.

b. Wild hog may only be taken with a gun from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Wild hog may not be taken with a gun at night.

c. Wild hog may not be transported alive.

9. Non-protected mammals and non-protected birds may be taken during any season open for the taking of game mammals or game birds, with no size or bag limit.

a. Methods of take, other than those allowed for the taking of game during each open season, are prohibited.

10. A South Florida Water Management District permit is required to access that portion of the Rough Island Unit posted as “SFWMD Permit Required.”

11. Hunting or fishing is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to hunting or fishing.

12. Erecting or maintaining tree stands more than ten days before the start of archery season or more than ten days after the end of spring turkey season is prohibited.

13. Taking wild turkey with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns using number 2 or smaller diameter shot during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

14. Electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Unless otherwise prohibited by specific area rule, Class 1 electric bicycles (as defined in Section 316.003, F.S.) are exempt from this restriction and may be used pursuant to regulations relating to bicycles.

(5) Tenoroc Public Use Area.

(a) Open season: Fish – on days and lakes as provided by Rule 68A-20.005, F.A.C., and alligators as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C.

(b) Legal to take: Fish as specified in Rule 68A-20.005, F.A.C., and alligator by persons participating in the statewide alligator trapping, permitting, taking and sale program as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C.

(c) Camping: Prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. No person shall park any vehicle or trailer in a manner which obstructs a boat ramp.

2. All persons shall enter and exit at a designated entrance.

3. Dates and hours of public access and vehicle access shall be as established by order of the Executive Director.

4. Notwithstanding other provisions of this subsection, the Commission may allow activities to facilitate Commission-sponsored programs.

5. Public access and/or vehicle access may be prohibited or limited on areas or portions thereof that are temporarily closed by administrative action to facilitate Commission-sponsored activities or authorized special events. To the extent circumstances permit, public notice of such closures shall be afforded through the FWC website, media and in-the-field postings. The closure shall not exceed 14 days unless approved by the Executive Director.

6. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles and swamp buggies is prohibited.

7. Vehicles shall only be operated on named or numbered roads.

8. Vehicles shall not be parked further than 25 feet from designated roads or parking areas.

9. Bicycles and horses shall only be ridden on roads open for vehicle traffic or trails designated for that use.

10. The regulations contained in Rules 68A-15.004 and 68A-15.005, F.A.C., not in conflict with specific area regulations, shall apply to this area.

(6) Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area – Rolling Meadows Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Non-migratory game – During Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except deer and turkey shall only be taken during those seasons established for Zone B and crossbow season shall be the last 5 days of the Zone B crossbow season only and gray squirrel shall only be taken from the second Saturday in October until the first Sunday in March.

2. Migratory birds – Statewide regulations established under Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except that open season for crow shall be during the first phase of crow season only.

3. Furbearers – During zonal antlered deer season established for Zone B only.

4. Fishing and frogging – Allowed throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers (except bobcat and otter), fish and frogs. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. The take of beardless hen wild turkey is prohibited. The daily bag limit for wild turkey shall be one per day.

(c) General regulations:

1. Taking deer and furbearers with dogs is prohibited.

2. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.

3. Shooting frogs shall be allowed only during hunting seasons established for this area and only with guns that are legal methods of take during each open hunting season.

4. Motorized vehicles and vessels are prohibited.

5. Taking wildlife is prohibited on, from or across the levees.

6. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.

7. No person shall place, expose or distribute any grain or other food for wildlife except as authorized by permit from the executive director. No person shall take wildlife on any land or waters upon which grain or other food has been deposited.

8. Wild hog may be taken in accordance with the following provisions:

a. Wild hog may be taken throughout the year with no size or bag limit.

b. Wild hog may only be taken with a gun from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Wild hog may not be taken with a gun at night.

c. Wild hog may not be transported alive.

9. Non-protected mammals and non-protected birds may be taken during any season open for the taking of game mammals or game birds, with no size or bag limit.

a. Methods of take, other than those allowed for the taking of game during each open season, are prohibited.

10. The regulations contained in Rules 68A-15.004, F.A.C., not in conflict with specific area regulations, shall apply to this area.

11. Erecting or maintaining tree stands more than ten days before the start of archery season or more than ten days after the end of spring turkey season is prohibited.

12. Fires are prohibited.

13. Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited.

14. Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited.

15. Releasing wildlife of any species is prohibited unless authorized by permit from the Executive Director.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art IV, Sec 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-9-99, Amended 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 5-23-04, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 11-9-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 8-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20, 9-13-20, 7-1-21, 7-1-22, 7-1-23, 7-1-24.