The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central 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-15.062Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central 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 amendments would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:
Andrews WMA – allow the harvest of furbearers during family hunts.
Bayard WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one deer per quota permit to one deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during archery season and one antlered deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun season.
Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit per day to one deer (antlered or antlerless) per person per day during archery season; change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit per day to one antlered deer per person per day during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one (either sex) per person, but no more than two per quota permit during archery season quota periods; and change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season quota periods.
Cary WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit to one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season; change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season.
Cedar Key Scrub WMA – allow the use of handguns for hunting.
Citrus WMA – add the special September duck season.
Devil’s Hammock WMA – allow the harvest of frogs; allow the harvest of gray squirrel, rabbit, quail, armadillo and migratory birds in season during the family hunt; and allow the harvest of furbearers during the family hunt and archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and small game seasons.
Flying Eagle WMA – allow the use of horses on designated roads and marked trails during periods open to hunting.
Grove Park WMA – expand the general gun season from 58 to 65 days and begin on opening day of statewide antlered deer season (Zone C).
Hatchet Creek WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit to one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season; change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season.
Holton Creek WMA – allow the harvest of furbearers during general gun mobility-impaired season.
Homosassa WMA – group small game season dates from four hunts (23, 16, 4 and 4 days respectively) into two hunts (24 and 23 days respectively) with no change in the total of 47 days.
Little River WMA – allow the harvest of furbearers.
Lochloosa WMA – allow the use of horses during archery, muzzleloading gun, small game, waterfowl and spring turkey seasons.
Osceola WMA – remove requirement to check harvested deer at a check station; expand the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat season from 53 days to 114 days and move from summer to the period concurrent with general gun and small game seasons.
Potts WMA – move the first two small game hunts after statewide antlered deer season (Zone C); allow the use of horses during periods open for hunting except wild hog-dog hunts; and change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season.
Raiford WMA – allow public access from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day preceding and the day following archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons; and allow public access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset on the day preceding youth spring turkey and spring turkey hunts.
Ralph E. Simmons Memorial WMA – allow the use of horses on named or numbered roads and designated trails during small game season; change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons.
Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit – change the bag limit for deer from one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit to one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season; change the bag limit for deer from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; change the bag limit for turkey from one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit to one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season.
Twin Rivers WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one deer per person per hunt to one deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during archery season; change the bag limit for deer from one deer per person per hunt to one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; and change the bag limit for turkey from one turkey per person per hunt to one turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit during archery and spring turkey seasons.
Additionally, the proposed rule amendments 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 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Archery – September 24-26 25-27 and October 1-3 2-4, only in the still hunt areas; and the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 days thereafter in the archery-only area, which is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery-only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.

6. No change.

7. Muzzleloading gun – October 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18, only in the still hunt areas.

8. No change.

9. Trapping – December 1 through January 5 6, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24.

3. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

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

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2 3 through January 19 20.

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

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

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

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 19 20 through November 1 2.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-15 3-16, November 16 17 through December 1 2 and December 2-29 3-30.

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

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

4. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

6. No change.

7. Small game – December 30 31 through March 2 3.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County Road 325 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

5. No change.

6. Horses are prohibited during general gun season allowed only during periods closed to hunting. Horses may be ridden only on established roads.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 9 10 through January 5 6.

2. Small game – January 6 7 through March 2 3.

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

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

5. Archery – September 21 22 through October 13 14.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-26 20-27 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 9 July 28 through March 2 September 18 in the dog hunt portion of the area only from sunset to sunrise.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 26 27 through November 4 5, except in the still hunt area.

3. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of Interstate 10, County Roads 250, 250A, 229, 127 and 125, Forest Service Road 236 (between US 90 and C.R. 250), and State Road 2 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

4. No change.

5. All deer taken during the first 16 days of the general gun season must be checked at a check station. No deer shall be dismembered during that period, until checked at a check station.

6. through 7. renumbered 5. through 6. No change.

7.8. During the general gun and small game seasons, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed, but only in the dog hunt area. A quota permit shall not be required to take fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat from 1 hour after sunset until 1 hour before sunrise during general gun season.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. Small game – December 30 31 through February 23 24.

5. through 6. No change.

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

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

9. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the right-of-way of County Road 361 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

7. through 8. No change.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 29 30.

2. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. Small game – December 30 31 through March 2 3.

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

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

7. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-10 3-11, 11-17 12-18 and November 18 19 through December 29 30.

2. Small game – December 30 31 through February 23 24.

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

4. Archery – September 28 29 through October 27 28.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Sepember 21 22 through October 20 21.

2. General gun – November 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 29 30.

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

4. Small game – December 30 31 through February 23 24.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County Roads 351 and 361 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

5. through 6. No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 2-10 3-11 and 11-24 November 12-25.

4. Small game – December 28 29 through January 26 27.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24, 24-30 25-31 and March 31 through April 6 1-7.

7. Trapping – January 4 5 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per person quota permit per day. During archery season quota periods, tThe bag limit for wild turkey during quota periods shall be one turkey per person, but no more than two turkey gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit; during non-quota periods, the bag limit shall be one per person. During archery season non-quota periods, the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one turkey per person. During spring turkey season quota periods, the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit. During spring turkey season non-quota periods, the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. The use of airboats airboars, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.

2. through 8. No change.

(11) PotashCorp – White Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) No change.

(b) Legal to take: Waterfowl and coots only. Legal shooting hours: Waterfowl and coots may be hunted fFrom the beginning of shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon.

(c) through (d) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

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

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 2-10 3-11.

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

5. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Public access is allowed prohibited except during periods open to hunting, and the weekend prior to each hunting period and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day preceding and the day following archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons. Public access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset on the day preceding spring turkey season hunts. Public access is prohibited at all other times. No person shall enter the area during the muzzleloading gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey seasons except those hunters possessing Raiford quota permits for the appropriate season and those hunters exempt from quota permit requirements pursuant to Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-10 3-11.

2. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

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

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of State Road 24 and County Road 347 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

5. Taking wildlife with handguns is prohibited.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23 and 27-29 28-30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game – December 27-29 28-30, January 3-5 4-6, and 10-12 11-13.

5. Family hunt – November 30 through December 1 1-2 and December 7-8 8-9.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and April 11-13 12-14.

8. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 19-20 20-21 and 26-27 27-28.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. During the family hunt, only wild hog and furbearers may be taken. During the supervised deer-hog youth hunt, only antlered deer, antlerless deer by anterless deer permit only, and wild hog may be taken. Wild hog may not be taken during the small game season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-28 24-29, September 30 through October 5 1-6 and October 7-12 8-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28 and November 1-3 2-4.

3. Small game – December 16-21 17-22 and 23-28 24-29.

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-27 22-28 and September 28 29 through October 6 7.

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

3. General gun – November 2-5 3-6 and 6-12 7-13.

4. Small game – November 23 24 through December 15 16.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and April 11-13 12-14.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered Ddeer, turkey (archery and spring turkey seasons only), gray squirrel, quail, rabbit and fish. The bag limit for deer is one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season per hunt for each of the following seasons: archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun. The bag limit for deer is one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. The bag limit for turkey is one per person, but no more than two per quota permit per hunt during the archery and spring turkey seasons except that the bag limit is only one per quota permit during the youth turkey hunt.

(c) through (d) No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-24 22-25 and 25-27 26-28, September 29 30 through October 2 3 and October 3-6 4-7.

2. Supervised small game – October 12-20 13-21, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. Bird dog training – November 18 19 through December 15 16 in the quail enhancement area and in the Normandy Unit only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through January; except that bird dog training is prohibited during the archery season.

5. General gun – November 2-5 3-6, 6-9 7-10, 10-13 11-14 and 14-17 15-18.

6. Family hunt – December 21-22 22-23.

7. Small game – January 3 4 through February 2 3, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog hot-still – February 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17, May 2-4 3-5, 16-18 17-19 and June 6-8 7-9.

9. No change.

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

11. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 18-20 19-21 and 21-23 22-24.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Persons shall enter and exit at designated entrances.

3. through 10. renumbered 4. through 11. No change.

12.11. During the bird dog training season the take of wildlife with a gun is prohibited, except blank-firing pistols firing blanks may be used in the Normandy Unit.

12. renumbered 13. No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 11-13 12-14, 25-27 26-28, November 1-3 2-4 and December 13-15 14-16.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and April 11-13 12-14.

3. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Any deer (except spotted fawns), gobbler or bearded turkey, gray squirrel, rabbit, and fish and furbearers. The bag limit shall be one deer and one turkey per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Persons may enter and exit the area only on Road 1, and the Florida Trail and the Suwannee River.

7. through 10. No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 13 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 2-4 3-5, 5-7 6-8 and 8-11 9-12.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 15-17 16-18, 18-21 19-22 and 22-25 23-26.

5. Small game – January 4-26 5-27.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-21 16-22, 22-30 23-31 and March 31 through April 6 1-7.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 6-8 7-9 and 27-29 December 28-30.

2. Small game – December 30 31 through February 23 24.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 29 30 through December 1 2 and Decmeber 13-15 14-16.

4. Archery – November 2-24 3-25.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, April 1-4 2-5 and 15-18 16-19.

7. No change.

8. Special September duck – During the special September duck season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from rights-of-way of all paved roads is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

10. through 11. No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28 29 through October 1 2 and October 4-8 5-9.

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

3. General gun – November 2-5 3-6 and 8-12 9-13.

4. Small game – November 22-24 23-25 and December 13-15 14-16.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19 and 21-25 22-26.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, Hhorses may be ridden only on designated roads and marked trails.

6. through 9. No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19 and 21-25 22-26.

2. Archery – October 3-6 4-7 and 9-13 10-14.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. Wild hog-dog – November 15-17 16-18.

5. Small game – January 31 through February 2, February 14-16 and February 28 through March 2 December 7-9, January 4-6 and February 1-3.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per spring turkey quota permit during spring turkey season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during wild hog-dog hunts periods when hunting is allowed. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, Hhorses may be ridden only on designated roads and designated trails.

4. through 8. No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 10-13 11-14, 24-27 25-28, and October 31 through November 3 1-4.

2. Small game – November 8 10 through December 1 and 2, December 21 22 through January 12 6, January 31 through February 3 and February 14-17.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 15-21 16-22 and March 29 30 through April 4 5.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14-17 15-18, 18-22 19-23 and 23-27 24-28.

2. Family hunt – October 5-6 6-7 and 12-13 13-14.

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

4. General gun – November 2-5 3-6 and 6-10 7-11.

5. Small game – November 16 17 through December 15 16.

6. Wild hog-still – January 13 14 through February 9 10.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19 and 19-23 20-24.

9. No change.

10. Fishing and frogging – Allowed year-round.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, and fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of deer is prohibited during the family hunt. Only wild hog may be taken during the family hunt and the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 9 10 through January 5 6.

4. Small game – January 6 7 through February 16 17.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 21-23 22-24.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-30 16-31.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-28 3-29 and November 29 30 through December 29 30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28.

3. Small game – December 30 31 through March 2 3.

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

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

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

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, 28-30 September 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

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

3. Small game – November 23 24 through January 5 6.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, rabbit, gray squirrel, quail (only during the first 16 days of the small game season), furbearers and fish.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 9 10 through January 5 6, except on Sundays, and only in that portion of the area known as the Adams Tract located northeast of US 27, east and south of County Road 251, and southwest of the Suwannee River.

2. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Persons shall enter and exit at designated entrances or via the Suwannee River.

5. through 6. No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7 and November 9-17 10-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28.

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

4. through 6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season and one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during muzzleloading gun season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19 20 through November 1 2.

3. General gun – November 2 10 through January 5 6.

4. Small game – January 6 7 through March 2 3.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 5 6.

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

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

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The tTaking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County Roads 325, 2082, and 346 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

4. through 7. No change.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 1 2.

4. Small game – January 11 12 through February 9 10.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 19-23 20-24 and March 24 25 through April 6 7.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Small game – December 30 31 through March 2 3.

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

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

5. Archery – September 20 21 through October 18 19.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 19 20 through November 1 2.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24 and 27-29 28-30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22 and 25-27 26-28.

3. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4.

4. General gun – November 8-10 9-11 and 22-24 23-25.

5. Small game – November 29 30 through January 5 6 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 24-26 25-27 and February 14-16 15-17.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game except that only wild hog, deer and waterfowl may be taken during the family hunt, and the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit shall be one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(35) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 16-24 17-25.

2. Archery – September 14-22 15-23.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 5-8 6-9.

5. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4.

6. Small game – December 9-22 10-23 and January 25 26 through February 2 3.

7. No change.

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

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons and the family hunt, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one anterless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit. During the general gun for mobility-impaired season hunt only certified mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer.

(c) Camping: During quota hunt periods, camping is allowed only in the Scotts Landing Road campground and only by hunters in possession of a valid quota permit. During the small game season and periods closed to hunting, camping in the Scotts Landing Road campground is allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service and. During periods closed to hunting, camping at primitive campsites along the St. Mary’s River is allowed on a first-come first-served basis.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Horses are prohibited during periods open to hunting except during small game season and when used by mobility-impaired hunters during the general gun for mobility-impaired season. During periods closed to hunting, Hhorses may be used only on named or numbered roads and designated trails except that mobility-impaired hunters may use horses throughout the area during the weekend and day before the general gun for mobility-impaired season.

7. No change.

(36) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –October 5-20 6-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. Small game – January 13 14 through February 23 24.

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

5. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24.

6. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping is allowed by permit only from the Suwannee River Water Management District.

(d)(c) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. The area east of the Lower Econfina River is open for motorized vehicles only during open hunting seasons.

6. through 7. No change.

(37) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

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

3. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4 and 16-17 17-18.

4. General gun – November 7-10 8-11 and 20-24 21-25.

5. Small game – November 29 30 through January 5 6 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(38) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

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

3. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4.

4. General gun – November 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18 and 22-24 23-25.

5. Small game – November 29 30 through January 5 6 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 6-9 7-10.

7. No change.

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

9. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per quota permit. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(39) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23, 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

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

3. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4.

4. General gun – November 8-10 9-11 and 22-24 23-25.

5. No change.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(40) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14 and November 1-10 2-11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28, November 15-24 16-25 and December 20-29 21-30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – November 29 30 through December 15 16 and January 3 4 through February 9 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 20 21 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(41) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area – Kings Road Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, September 30 through October 2 1-3 and October 7-9 8-10.

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

3. Family hunt – November 2-3 3-4.

4. General gun – November 15-17 16-18 and 22-24 23-25.

5. Small game – November 29 30 through December 4 5, December 9-11 10-12, 20-22 21-23, 27-29 28-30 and January 6-8 7-9.

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 24-26 25-27 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during the archery season., The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person during the family hunt. and The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2013

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 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 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: 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: December 6, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2013