The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to better manage hunting opportunities in Florida by allowing additional choices of methods of take. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to allow hunters to use air guns for the harvest of ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
68A-12.002General Methods of Taking Game; Prohibitions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to better manage hunting opportunities in Florida by allowing additional choices of methods of take. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to allow hunters to use air guns for the harvest of rabbits and gray squirrel.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would allow hunters to harvest rabbits and gray squirrel with air guns.
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.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATES AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 13-14, 2013, 8:30 a.m. -  5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: SeaWorld Park, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
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-12.002 General Methods of Taking Game; Prohibitions.

(1) Through (2) No change.

(3) Game birds, crows or game mammals may be taken with any of the following:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Air guns may be used to take gray squirrel and rabbit only.

(c) through (e) renumbered (d) through (f) No change.

(4) through (9) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV. Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 11-17-81, 6-21-82, 7-1-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-12.02, Amended 6-1-86, 4-11-90, 4-14-92, 4-20-93, 3-1-94, 3-30-95, 4-1-96, 12-28-98, Formerly 39-12.002, Amended 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 10-23-08, 1-1-11, 7-1-13.

 

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: 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: December 6, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2013.