: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.065Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: : The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:

Buck Lake WMA – add 23 days to the wild hog-still season (which would replace the second small game hunt); allow small game to be harvested during the wild hog-still season; and allow the harvest of bobcat and otter.

Fort Drum WMA – move the October wild hog-still hunts to November; add one 3-day wild hog-still hunt in January (Tues.-Thurs.); add one 3-day wild hog-still hunt in February (Tues.-Thurs.); and allow the harvest of furbearers.

Lake George WMA, Dexter / Mary Farms Unit – allow horses and bikes on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails only.

Lake George WMA – allow horses and bikes on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails only.

Lake Panasoffkee WMA – move the two wild hog-dog hunts from weekdays to weekends and allow the harvest of bobcat and otter.

Richloam WMA – extend the waterfowl seasons to match the statewide waterfowl seasons and move the wild hog-dog season from late January to five days after the close of spring turkey season.

Seminole Forest WMA – allow hunting equipment to be taken onto the area the Monday prior to archery, mobility-impaired general gun, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons and the Thursday prior to each spring turkey hunt; and all hunting equipment shall be removed the day after the last day of each hunt.

Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – allow hunting equipment to be taken onto the area beginning the Monday prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still hunt and the Tuesday prior to each spring turkey hunt; and require all hunting equipment to be removed the day after each hunt.

Seminole Ranch WMA – allow the harvest of bobcat and otter.

Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lakes Unit – add a 3-day wild hog-still hunt in late January and a 3-day wild hog-still hunt in late February.

Three Lakes WMA – clarify that a daily quota permit is required to hunt during small game, raccoon and spring turkey seasons.

Tiger Bay WMA – allow horses and bikes on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails only.

Triple N WMA – allow one additional day of vehicle access for scouting one day prior to each special-opportunity deer hunt and move the scouting days for the special-opportunity spring turkey season from the Saturdays and Sundays prior to each special-opportunity spring turkey hunt to the Thursdays and Fridays prior to each hunt.

Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA – extend the time that hunting equipment is allowed on the area from one day after the close of hunting season to seven days after the close of hunting season.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution; 379.2223, 375.313 FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATES AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 12-13, 2014, 8:30 a.m. − 5:00 p.m., each day

PLACE: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Tampa Airport – Westshore, 4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

(1) Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-2 2-3 and November 3 4 through December 28 29.

2. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 13-14 14-15 and September 15 16 through October 12 13.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 9 through January 4 5 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 8 9 through 16 17 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 22-30 23 through December 1 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 1 2 through March 1 2 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 5 6 through March 1 2 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

5. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 8 9 through April 12 13.

8. No change.

9. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9 (Lake Delancy Unit only).

10. Spring turkey – March 26-29 20-23, April 2-5 27-30, 9-12 April 3-6 and 16-19 10-13.

11. through 13. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 8 9 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 2 3 through April 12 13 only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 5 6 through April 12 13, only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 5 6 through April 12 13 in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

6. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-30 23 through December 1 and December 1 2 through January 18 19.

2. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23 and March 30 24 through April 26 20.

3. Archery – October 18 19 through November 16 17.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 19 20 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – May 1-3 January 24-26.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Duck, geese and coot – During seasons Special September duck – In the special September duck season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –November 1-4 2-5, 5-9 6-10 and 10-16 11-17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 22-24 23-25.

3. General gun – January 19-22 20-23 and 23-27 24-28.

4. Wild hog-still – January 28-30 29-31.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

7. Small game – January 31 February 1 through March 1 2.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-2 2-3 and November 3 4 through December 28 29.

2. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 13-14 14-15 and September 15 16 through October 12 13.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 24-26 25-27.

8. General gun-dog – December 4-7 5-8 and 25-28 26-29.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and US 441 only.

12. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, alligators as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C., frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season and general-gun dog season. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying east of the Florida Turnpike) except by quail permit during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per quota permit. During the general gun for mobility-impaired season, the bag limit for antlerless deer is one per certified mobility-impaired hunter and only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun, small game, raccoon and spring turkey seasons, except the general gun-dog and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons, the quota of hunters will be admitted daily as follows: US 441 check station – 375; Canoe Creek check station – 50; State Road 60 check station – 200.

2. through 12. No change.

(e) No change.

(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area – Prairie Lakes Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.

4. Small game – December 6-28 7-29.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – November 28-30, 29 through December 1 and January 2-4, 23-25 3-5 and February 20-22.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and November 10 11 through December 28 29.

2. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

4. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-6 March 27-30 and 16-19 April 10-13.

7. No change.

(b) through (c)

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails.

(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8-16 9-17.

2. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. Small game – November 20 21 through December 28 29.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 2-5 3-6 and 9-12 10-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-26 24-27 and October 30 31 through November 2 3.

3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 21-23 22-24.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 9-15 10-16 and February 6-12 7-13.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27 and October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. General gun – November 14-16 15-17.

4. Small game – November 22-23 23-24, 29-30 November 30 through December 1, December 6-7 7-8 and January 3-4 4-5.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

6. Wild hog-dog – January 24-25 25-26 and 26-30 January 27-31.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During the archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit or per exempt hunter. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per quota permit or per exempt hunter. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and November 10 11 through December 28 29.

4. Small game – December 29 30 through January 18 19.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21 and 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.

4. Small game – November 29-30 30 through December 1, December 6-7 7-8 and January 3-4 4-5.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. General gun – November 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21 and 24-26 25-27.

4. Archery – October 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.

5. Small game – November 28-30 29 through December 1, December 5-7 6-8, January 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

6. Spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 1-3 2-4 and 7-9 8-10.

4. Small game – November 28-30 29 through December 1, December 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

5. Wild hog-still – January 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7. Spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23, April 3-5 28-30 and 10-12 April 4-6.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-28 21-29.

2. Supervised small game – October 4-12 5-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. General gun – November 8-11 9-12 and 12-16 13-17.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 20 21 through January 4 5 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

8. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 25-29 19-23.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27 and October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. General gun – November 8-11 9-12, 12-16 13-17 and 17-23 18-24.

4. Small game – November 24 25 through March 1 2.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-5 27-30 and 16-19 April 10-13.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails.

(17) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 22 23 through December 7 8 and December 20 21 through January 4 5.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 15-21, April 4-10 March 29 through April 4 and 18-24 April 12-18.

3. No change.

4. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

6. General gun – November 8-16 9-17.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on named or numbered roads, firelines and designated trails.

(e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 September 25-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 29 30 through December 2 3 and December 3-7 4-8.

4. Small game – January 10-25 11-26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 21-25 15-19 and March 28 through April 1 22-26.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 17-19 18-20.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed, except that all-terrain vehicles may be used the Monday prior to (but only by permit from the Florida Forest Service), one day prior to and during the general gun for mobility-impaired season but only by persons participating in the mobility-impaired hunt. Vehicle access is allowed only during archery, general gun mobility-impaired, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons, and one day prior to and only by permit from the Florida Forest Service one day after each of these seasons, except that vehicle access is also allowed during small game season, only by permit from the Florida Forest Service the Monday prior to archery, general gun for mobility-impaired, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; and only by permit from the Florida Forest Service the Thursday prior to spring turkey season. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

4. through 8. No change.

9. Persons participating in hunts may take authorized hunting equipment onto the area when vehicle or all-terrain vehicle access is allowed for their respective hunts and must remove hunting equipment one day after the last day of each respective hunt.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 23-25 24-26, January 30 31 through February 1 2, February 6-8 7-9 and 13-15 14-16.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 11-17 12-18 and October 25-31 26 through November 1.

3. Small game – November 22 23 through January 18 19.

4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 15-21, April 4-10 March 29 through April 4 and 18-24 April 12-18.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity fall permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Saturday, and Sunday and Friday preceding the hunt and only from sunrise to sunset on those days., Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity spring turkey permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Thursday and Friday preceding the hunt and only except on the Saturday and Sunday preceding each spring turkey hunt, when vehicle access shall be allowed only from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area during these times. During special-opportunity deer, small game and wild hog-still seasons, vehicle access is only allowed from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m., except vehicle access after 8 p.m. is also allowed by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites. One day prior to each small game and wild hog-still hunt, only individuals participating in the hunt are allowed vehicle access and only from sunrise to sunset. During special-opportunity spring turkey season, vehicle access is only allowed from 4:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., except vehicle access is also allowed after 2 p.m. by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites.

7. through 8. No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21 and 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 6-9 7-10, 13-16 14-17 and 20-23 21-24.

4. Small game – November 24 25 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, 27-30 21-24 and April 3-6 March 28-31.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 27 through October 2 3 and October 3-9 4-10 and 10-18 11-19.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 through November 2 1-3 and November 7-9 8-10.

3. General gun – November 14-16 15-17, 21-23 22-24 and November 28-30 29 through December 1.

4. Small game – December 6-21 7-22.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, 26-29 20-23 and April 2-5 27-30.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 26-29 20-23, April 7-10 1-4 and 23-26 17-20.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 18-21 19-22, September 30 through October 3 1-4, October 9-12 10-13, 21-24 22-25, October 30 31 through November 2 3, November 11-14 12-15, November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 9-12 10-13.

3. Wild hog-still – January 9-11 10-12.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 23-25 22-24 and February 20-22 19-21.

5. Small game – January 30 31 through February 1 2 and February 6-8 7-9.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). Turkey may be taken only during the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts. The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per special-opportunity spring turkey permit. One antlered deer may be taken per special-opportunity deer permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with four or more points is prohibited. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still and wild hog-dog seasons. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-21 20-22.

2. Supervised small game – October 11-17 12-18, November 15-21 16-22, December 13-19 14-20 and January 10-16 11-17.

3. Spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-28 21-29 and October 4-10 5-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 8-11 9-12 and 12-16 13-17.

4. Small game – November 29 30 through December 14 15 and opening the day following the close of wild hog-still season through the last Sunday in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 25-29 19-23.

6. Wild hog-still – December 26 through January 25 2-5 and 16-19.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two antlered deer per quota permit. Only wild hog, small game and furbearers may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 25-31 26 through November 1.

2. Small game – December 6-21 7-22.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 15-21, April 4-10 March 29 through April 4 and 18-24 12-18.

4. Wild hog-still – November 7-9, 14-16, 21-23; January 27-29 and February 3-5 October 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers and fish. Turkey may be taken only during the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts. The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per special-opportunity spring turkey permit. One antlered deer per special-opportunity deer permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with four or more points is prohibited. Taking of wild hog during the small game season is prohibited.

(c) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 8-16 9-17.

4. Small game – November 29 30 through December 14 15.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 25-29 19-23.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 18-21 19-22 and 25-28 26-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-26 24-27.

3. General gun – November 6-9 7-10.

4. Wild hog-still – November 14-16 15-17, December 12-14 13-15 and January 9-11 10-12.

5. Small game – January 2-4 3-5, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17 and 27-29 21-23.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and from the Monday prior to through one day prior to their scheduled hunts each of these seasons. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

4. No change.

5. Persons participating in hunts may take authorized hunting equipment onto the area when vehicle access is allowed for their respective hunts and must remove hunting equipment one day after the last day of each respective hunt.

(28) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27.

3. General gun – November 1 2 through January 11 12.

4. Small game – January 12 13 through March 1 2.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 22-23 23-24. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 1 2 through December 28 29.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken on the area after 8 a.m. one day before the opening of the season and shall be removed from the area no later than seven days following the close of the season.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6 and November 15-23 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 26 through November 2 3.

3. Wild hog-still – January 17-25 18-26.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-28 21-29 and September 29 30 through October 5 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 8-11 9-12 and 12-16 13-17.

4. Small game –December 5-7 6-8, 12-14 13-15; January 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12; February 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 15-18 16-19.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 25-29 19-23.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-26 21-27, September 27 28 through October 5 6 and October 6-12 7-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27 and October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. Family hunt – November 8-9 9-10.

4. General gun – November 10-16 11-17.

5. Wild hog-still – November 29 30 through December 5 6 and December 6-14 7-15.

6. Small game – January 5-20 6-21.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and April 2-5 27-30 and 9-12 April 3-6.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 27 through October 2 3, October 3-9 4-10 and 10-18 11-19.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27 and October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. General gun – November 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17 and November 28-30 29 through December 1.

4. Small game – December 6-14 7-15 and January 3-9 4-10.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, 27-30 21-24 and April 3-6 March 28-31.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13-19 14-20, 20-26 21-27, September 27 28 through October 3 4, October 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. General gun – November 14-16 15-17, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29 through December 1.

4. No change.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 March 28-30.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2014

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 8-11-11, 7-1-12, 7-26-12, 7-1-13, 9-9-13, 7-1-14.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 20, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2014