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

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
68A-15.061Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest 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 Southwest Region as follows:

Arbuckle WMA – change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per quota permit to one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Chassahowitzka WMA – change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per quota permit to one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA – allow year round use of vehicles on Tucker Grade, Tram Grade and Road 6; adjust the quail season; and establish a raccoon and opossum season during the month of February.
Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA, Yucca Pens Unit – establish a raccoon and opossum season during the months of February and March; and allow the use of horses year round.
Green Swamp WMA – issue quota permits for the wild hog-dog hunts at the check station; allow three hunters to hunt per each daily quota permit during wild hog-dog season; relocate the check station and campground during the wild-hog dog hunts from the Rock Ridge Road entrance to the Highway 471 entrance; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog except during the wild hog-dog hunts.
Green Swamp WMA, West Unit – allow the use of horses during the wild hog-still and small game seasons; and allow the use of archery equipment during the special-opportunity turkey season.
Hickory Hammock – prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog.
Hilochee WMA – allow the use of horses year round; prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog; and change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per quota permit to one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Hilochee WMA, Osprey Unit – convert one of the archery hunts to a muzzleloading gun hunt; add antlered deer with at least 3 points on one side as legal to take during the archery and muzzleloading gun hunts; reduce the quota from 40 to 10 (no exemptions) for the archery and muzzleloading gun hunts; allow a bag limit of one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit during the archery and muzzleloading gun hunts; increase the length of all quota hunts, except youth turkey, from two days to three days; allow the use of horses year-round except during wild hog-dog season; and change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person to one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
KICCO WMA – limit vehicle access to those persons with authorization from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD); require a permit from the SFWMD for camping; prohibit campfires except within fire rings; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season.
Lake Marion Creek WMA – limit vehicle access to those persons with authorization from the South Florida Water Management District; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog.
Lower Hillsborough WMA (new) – establish a new wildlife management area (2,775 acres) with the following open seasons: four 3-day family hunts (quota of 5, no exemptions) and two 3-day youth turkey hunts (quota of 5, no exemptions); allow the take of deer, wild hog, turkey, small game, furbearers, fish and frogs; allow a bag limit of two deer per family quota permit; allow a bag limit of one gobbler or bearded turkey per youth turkey quota permit; allow camping by permit only; prohibit hunting with dogs; prohibit vehicles except in parking areas and for access to the camping area by persons with a camping permit; prohibit the use of airboats, tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles; prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise unless camping; require all persons to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; and prohibit fires except in the camping area.
Upper Hillsborough WMA – prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog except during wild hog-dog season.
Walk-in-the-Water WMA – prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season; change the bag limit for deer from one deer per day to one deer (antlered or antlerless) per person, but not more than two per quota permit during archery hunts and one antlered deer per person and not more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun hunts; and change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per quota permit to one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Weekiwachee WMA (new) – establish a new wildlife management area (2,850 acres) with the following open season: five 6-day archery hunts (quota of 10, no exemptions); allow the take of antlered deer, wild hog, bearded turkey or gobbler, small game, furbearers, fish and frogs; allow a bag limit of two antlered deer per quota permit; prohibit camping on the area; prohibit hunting with dogs; prohibit vehicles except in the parking area; prohibit the use of airboats, tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles, unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, and horses; prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise; require all persons to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; and prohibit fires.
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; 375.313 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution; 379.2223, 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE 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 hours 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-15.061 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region.

(1) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 23 17 through January 19 13.

2. Archery – October 19 13 through November 17 11, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

3. Small game – January 25 19 through February 23 17, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Wild hog-dog – February 27 through March 2 21-24 and March 6through 9 February 28 through March 3.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 20 21.

6. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Allowed by permit only and only within the designated campsites at the Rock Ridge Road and 471 campgrounds. Camping is allowed at both campgrounds during archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons. Camping is allowed only at the Rock Ridge Road campground during the wild hog-dog and fishing and frogging season seasons and only at the 471 campground during the small game and wild hog-dog seasons season. Camping permits are non-transferable. Camping along the Green Swamp Hiking Trail (Florida Trail) is prohibited except by written permission from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers, unless contained in mobile campers are prohibited. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials is prohibited. The alteration, defacing, moving or tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited. The use or operation of electrical generators powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited within the campgrounds from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. A legible copy of the camping permit or the permittee’s name and permit number must be visibly affixed to camping shelters. Camping equipment must be removed by 8 p.m. on the last date listed on the camping permit. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunters may enter or exit the area at designated entrances access points only and only during hours in which check stations are in operation.

4. Hunting with dogs (other than bird dogs) is prohibited, except that dogs may be used during the wild hog-dog season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited except during the wild hog-dog season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than 3 free-running dogs per wild hog-dog daily quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

5. through 8. No change.

9. During the wild hog-dog season, a daily quota permit allows three hunters to participate in the hunt wild hog-dog quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest, as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (3 total) to participate in the hunt.

(2) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area – West Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 24-27 25-28, March 29 30 through April 1 2, April 7-10 8-11 and 12-15 13-16.

2. Special-opportunity archery – November 9-12 3-6 and 21-24 15-18.

3. Special-opportunity general gun – January 23-26 24-27, February 3-6 4-7 and 12-15 13-16.

4. Wild hog-still – December 20-22 14-16.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 8-10 9-11.

6. Small game – February 21-23 22-24 and February 28 through March 2 1-3.

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, all-terrain vehicles or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during periods open for hunting, except during wild hog-still and small game seasons.

4. through 5. No change.

6. Only shotguns may be used to take turkey during during the special-opportunity turkey hunts.

7. renumbered 6. No change.

7.8. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season, is prohibited except that dogs may be used during the wild hog-dog season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited except during the wild hog-dog season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

9. through 11. renumbered 8. through 10. No change.

(3) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14-18 8-12.

2. Bird dog training – Bird dogs may be trained in the bird dog training recreation area September 21 15 through February 16 10 and bird dogs may be trained in the remainder of the area during the small game season except the field trial and Boy Scout areas.

3. General gun –November 9-17 3-11.

4. Small game – November 18 through December 1 12-25 and Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only December 4 November 28 through January 19 13.

5. Field trial quail – January 25-26 26-27.

6. Raccoon and opossum - During the month of February.

6. renumbered 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the take of turkey is prohibited. After the first two days of archery season, the take of antlerless deer is prohibited. Wild hog may only be taken during archery and general gun seasons with a limit of one per quota permit or one per exempt hunter each season. The take of wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Quail shall be taken by daily quail or field trial quail quota permit only with a bag limit of 6 per day. During the raccoon and opossum season, only raccoon and opossum are legal to take.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken, except during the raccoon and opossum season.

2. No change.

3. Public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, provided public access to the designated campground is allowed at anytime camping is allowed and public access is allowed at anytime during the raccoon and opossum season.

4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with dogs during the archery season and general gun season is prohibited.

6. During periods closed to hunting and the raccoon and opossum season, vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads in the bird dog training recreational area lying south of the northern boundaries of Sections 19, 20 and 21, Township 41S, Range 24E and west of the first north-south fence line east of the Seaboard Grade and on Tram Grade, Tucker Grade and Road 6 in the remainder of the area. The operation of vehicles is prohibited in Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, Township 42S, Range 24E and the west 1/2 of Section 19, Township 42S, Range 25E.

7. through 9. No change.

10. Taking wildlife with a gun is prohibited during bird dog training season while training bird dogs within the bird dog training recreation area.

11. through 13. No change.

14. During the small game season only persons in possession of a daily quail permit shall kill or be in possession of quail. Daily quail permits will be issued on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, beginning the first Saturday following eight days prior to Thanksgiving Day and may continue up to 39 days thereafter. Quail shall be taken by daily quail permit within the zone assigned on the daily quail permit only.

15. through 16. No change.

17. During the raccoon and opossum season, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed.

(4) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area – Yucca Pens Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 12-14.

2. General gun –November 9-17 3-11.

3. Small game – November 20 14 through January 19 13 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

4. Raccoon and opossum - During the months of February and March.

4. renumbered 5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Quail may be taken only during the small game season. The bag limit for quail shall be six per day. During small game season the take of wild hog is prohibited. During the raccoon and opossum season, only raccoon and opossum are legal to take.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. All hunters shall check in and out at the designated check station when entering or exiting the area and check all game taken, except during small game season when hunters shall use the Babcock/Webb check station and during the raccoon and opossum season when checking is not required.

3. Public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except during the raccoon and opossum season when public access is allowed at anytime.

4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs during the muzzleloading gun and general gun season is prohibited. The use of dogs, other than retrievers, bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less is prohibited, except during the raccoon and opossum season when any dog may be used.

6. Motorized vehicular access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except during the raccoon and opossum season when vehicle access is allowed at anytime.

7. No change.

8. During periods open to hunting, horses are prohibited. During non-hunting periods Hhorses are allowed on named or numbered roads and designated trails only.

9. No change.

10. During the raccoon and opossum season, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed.

(5) Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-dog – November 12-14 6-8.

2. Archery – December 7-8 8-9, 14-15 15-16, January 4-5 5-6 and 11-12 12-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – January 18-19 19-20, 25-26 26-27, February 1-2 2-3 and 8-9 9-10.

4. Small game – February 15-16 16-17, 22-23 23-24 and March 1-2 2-3.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-20 20-21, 26-27 27-28, April 2-3 3-4, 9-10 10-11, and 16-17 17-18.

6. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Prohibited except at the designated campsite during periods when hunting is allowed or by written permission from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs is prohibited except that dogs may be used during the wild hog-dog season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited except during the wild hog-dog season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

9. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

10. through 12. renumbered 9. through 11. No change.

(6) Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 12 13 through November 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-15 8-16.

3. Small game – January 4-5 5-6 and 25-26 26-27.

4. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21 and April 1-3 2-4.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except turkeys shall be legal to take only during spring turkey season), furbearers and fish. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Deer bag limit – one per day. 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.

(7) KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14, Saturdays and Sundays only.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-20 20-21 and 26-27 27-28.

3. Wild hog-still – November 9 10 through December 8 9, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Small game – December 14 15 through January 19 20.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 13 14, Saturdays and Sundays only.

6. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Prohibited except at designated hunt campsites during periods when hunting is allowed or by persons possessing a special-use license issued by the South Florida Water Management District. Only tents may be used for camping at designated hunt campsites.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicle access is prohibited except by persons that have obtained a vehicle access authorization from the South Florida Water Management District. Hunters participating in a hunt may operate motor vehicles on named or numbered roads during the archery, muzzleloading gun, spring turkey, and wild hog-still seasons. Vehicles shall be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of a named or numbered road. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, all-terrain vehicles or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. Horses are prohibited except by written permission from the South Florida Water Management District.

2. Except as authorized by the South Florida Water Management District, fires Fires other than campfires at designated campsites are prohibited.

3. No change.

4. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except during the archery, muzzleloading gun and wild hog-still seasons. The use of dogs, other than retrievers, bird dogs or and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used is prohibited during the small game season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

5. No change.

6. Vehicular access to the area is prohibited during the period from 1.5 hours after sunset to 1.5 hours before sunrise, except as authorized by the South Florida Water Management District.

7. No change.

(8) Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – September 13-15 14-16, 20-22 21-23 and January 10-12 11-13.

2. Archery – October 11-13 12-14.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22 and 23-25 24-26.

4. General gun – November 2-4 3-5.

5. Small game – November 11-24 12-25 and January 20 21 through March 2 3.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – November 30 through December 1 1-2.

7. No change.

8. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and April 10-12 11-13.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except retrievers, bird dogs, or and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used during small game season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. through 4. No change.

5. During the mobility-impaired general gun season, certified mobility-impaired hunters with quota permits, a non-hunting assistant and one guest, as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., may participate in the hunt, but must share the bag limit. All mobility-impaired hunt participants are required to attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting.

(9) Walk-in-the-Water Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28-29 29-30, September 30 through October 3 1-4, October 4-6 5-7, 7-10 8-11 and 11-13 12-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 30 through December 1 1-2, December 2-5 3-6 and 6-8 7-9.

3. Wild hog-still – January 11-14 12-15 and 15-19 16-20.

4. Small game –February 1-9 2-10 and February 22 23 through March 2 3.

5. Spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers and fish. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one deer per person, but not more than two quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Deer bag limit – one per day. During the wild hog-still season only wild hog may be taken. The take of turkey is prohibited during the archery 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) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs, retrievers or and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, is prohibited. The take of wild hog with dogs use of any dog during the wild hog-still season is prohibited.

2. through 6. No change.

(10) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10.

2. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and April 4-6 5-7.

3. Muzzleloading gun – February 21-23 15-17.

4. Wild hog-still – December 6-8 November 30 through December 2, January 17-19 11-13 and 24-26 18-20.

5. Small game – January 31 25 through February 9 3.

6. Archery – February 14-16 8-10.

7. No change.

8. Raccoon – August 8 2 through September 29 23 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish (as provided below), and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. 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. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass from Peat Lake, Little Peat Lake, Stock Lake, Hidden Lake, and Turtle Pond. No person shall take, in any one day, more than 20 bluegill, 10 black crappie, or 6 catfish. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill less than 8 inches total length or black crappie less than 10 inches total length. During the raccoon season, only raccoon and opossum may be taken.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs and retrievers is prohibited, except that during small game season dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used and during the raccoon season dogs of any size may be used. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. No change.

4. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, horses or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited, except that horses are allowed on named and numbered roads or designated trails during periods closed to hunting.

5. Horses are allowed on named or numbered roads and designated trails only.

5. through 9. renumbered 6. through 10. No change.

(11) Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –October 19-21 13-15 and 25-27 19-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 29 through December 1 23-25.

3. General gun – January 24-26 18-20 and February 7-9 1-3.

4. Small game – January 3-5 December 28-30 and 10-12 January 4-6.

5. Wild hog-still – December 13-15 7-9 and 27-29 21-23.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 28-30 March 29-31 and April 11-13 12-14.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. During periods when the area is closed to hunting Ppublic access other than by foot or bicycle is prohibited, except by persons that have obtained a vehicle access authorization from the South Florida Water Management District. participating in a hunt may operate motor vehicles from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. one day prior to each hunt except small game. During periods open for hunting only persons participating in the hunt may operate motor vehicles on the area and Vvehicles may only be operated from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except as authorized by the South Florida Water Management District. no motor vehicle access is allowed during small game hunts. Vehicles shall be operated only on named or numbered roads and shall be parked in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. No change.

4. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs and retrievers is prohibited, except that during small game season dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

(12) Avon Park Air Force Range Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19 20 through November 1 2 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

3. General gun – November 2 3 through January 19 20 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

4. Small game – November 9 10 through March 2 3 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

6. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 20 21 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

7. Antlerless deer – November 23-29 17-23 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Croom Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

2. General gun – November 2-24 3-25.

3. Small game – December 2 3 through March 2 3.

4. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, April 1-3 2-4 and 15-17 16-18.

5. Fox, raccoon and bobcat – December 12 13 through March 9 10. Hunting is allowed from 5 p.m. Thursday to sunrise Sunday with dogs only. Taking wildlife with guns is prohibited during this season.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

3. General gun – November 2 3 through December 29 30.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 10-12 11-13 and 17-19 18-20.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10.

8. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24, April 4-6 5-7 and 18-20 19-21.

9. Raccoon – January 30 31 through February 23 24 and May 1-25 2-26 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). The taking of bobcat and otter is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season. Waterfowl and coot may be taken on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only. During the raccoon season, only raccoon and opossum may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(15) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area – Osprey Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 6-7 and 13-14.

1.2. Family hunt – November 15-17 10-11.

2.3. Wild hog-still – November 29 through December 1 24-25.

3.4. Wild hog-dog – December 13-15 and January 10-12 5-6 and 26-27.

4.5. Small game – January 23 31 through February 3 11.

5. Archery – February 14-16.

6. Muzzleloading gun – February 21-23.

7.6. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10.

8.7. Spring turkey – April 11-13 12-13 and 18-20 19-20.

8. Trapping – Prohibited

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except deer), fish and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season. The take of deer is prohibited during the family hunt. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog seasons. Turkey may be taken during the spring turkey season only. 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. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass. No person shall take, in any one day, more than 20 bluegill, 10 black crappie, or 6 catfish. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill less than 8 inches total length or black crappie less than 10 inches total length.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of airboats, outboard motors larger than 10 horsepower, tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, horses or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited, except that horses are allowed on named or numbered roads or designated trails during periods closed to hunting.

4. Horses are prohibited during wild hog-dog hunts. At other times, horses are allowed on named or numbered roads and designated trails only.

4. through 11. renumbered 5. through 12. No change.

(16) Weekiwachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 19-24, November 16-21, December 14-19, January 18-23 and February 15-20.

2. Fishing and frogging – Allowed year round.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bearded turkey or gobbler, fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited. The bag limit for deer shall be two antlered deer per quota permit.

(c) Camping: Prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods open for hunting, public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise. During periods closed to hunting, public access is allowed during daylight hours only.

2. All persons shall enter and exit the area through a designated entrance.

3. The use of airboats, tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles, horses or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.

4. Bicycles may be ridden only on established roads and firelines.

5. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except in designated parking areas.

6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited.

7. Fires are prohibited.

(17) Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – December 13-15, January 17-19, January 31 through February 2 and February 14-16.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 21-23 and April 4-6.

3. Fishing and frogging – Allowed year round.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Antlerless deer may be taken during the family hunts. The bag limit for deer shall be two deer per quota permit. The bag limit for turkey shall be one per quota permit.

(c) Camping: Prohibited except by permit from Southwest Florida Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods open for hunting, public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except in the designated camping area. During periods closed to hunting, public access is allowed during daylight hours only, except in the designated camping area.

2. All persons shall enter and exit the area through a designated entrance.

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

4. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except in designated parking areas and persons with a camping permit may drive directly to the designated camping area.

5. Hunting with dogs is prohibited.

6. Fires are prohibited except in the designated camping area.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2013

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 9-19-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 10-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 8-23-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 10-20-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.061, Amended 12-9-99, 3-30-00, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 5-13-02, 5-25-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 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