The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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-15.063Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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 Northwest Region as follows:
Apalachicola WMA – Bradwell Unit – 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 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.
Aucilla WMA – 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 hunts in the Pinhook still hunt area.
Beaverdam Creek 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 no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Blackwater WMA – Hutton Unit – 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 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.
Box-R WMA – 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; 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.
Chipola River WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit to one antlered or one antlerless deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit during archery hunts in the Altha Tract; 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 hunts in the Altha Tract; 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 in the Altha Tract.
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 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-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region.

(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 16 10 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B, except hunting is allowed the Friday after Thanksgiving).

2. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Quail (Zone A) – December 24 18 through February 2 January 27 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).

9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) – March 15 16 through April 20 21 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

2. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

3. No change.

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

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

6. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

7. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

8. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

9. No change.

10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – October 1 through March 2 3 in that portion of the area in Liberty County lying west of State Road 65 (except in that portion of the area lying north and east of the Florida River and Larkins Slough) and in that portion in Leon County and Wakulla County south of State Road 267 bounded on the east by Forest Roads 313, F.H. 13 and 356, on the south by Forest Roads 349 and 357, on the west by Forest Roads 348 and F.H. 13, 309, 314 and 344.

11. Trapping – February 6 January 31 through March 1.

12. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 28 through December 1 22-25 and from December 14-25 8-19. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of Oak Ridge Road, east of State Road 61 and U.S. Highway 319, south of State Road 263 and west of State Road 363) except by quail permit during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Bird dogs may be trained from June 1 through March 2 3, except on the quail enhancement area where bird dogs may be trained November 1 through December 31. Deer dogs may be trained from October 26 27 through November 14 15 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.

2. through 8. No change.

(3) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area – Bradwell Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14-18 8-12.

2. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

4. Family hunt – December 22-24, January 17-19 18-20 and January 31 through February 2 1-3.

5. Small game – November 9-17 10-18 and December 28 29 through January 5 6.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-16 16-17 and 28-30 29-31.

7. Wild hog-dog – July 5-7 6-8, August 2-4 3-5 and September 6-8 7-9, 2013 2012, and May 2-4 3-5 and June 6-8 7-9, 2014 2013.

8. Wild hog-still – July 19-21 20-22, August 16-18 17-19 and September 20-22 21-23, 2013 2012, and May 16-18 17-19 and June 20-22 21-23, 2014 2013.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit during the archery season and one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. During except that during the family hunt, the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the wild hog seasons, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

(4) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of State Road 4, except for the field trial area, and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, except for the dog hunt area).

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 21 15 through February 12 6.

2. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the still hunt area north of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191) – December 14-15 8-9.

3. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-20 November 26 through December 14 and February 13 7 through March 2 3.

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

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

6. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

7. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

8. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 20 through March 2 14-24.

9. through 13. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area north of State Road 4 and west of Three Notch Road, east of Mason West Road, and north of Camp Henderson Road; and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, west of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road, and east of Belandville Road; and that portion of the area north of Forest Road R47, north of Eadie Cotton Road and Peaden Bridge Road, west of Sherman Kennedy Road, south of Mattie Kennedy Road and Kennedy Bridge Road, west of Bullard Church Road, and east of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road):

1. General gun dog – November 28 through December 1 22-25, December 21 through January 5 15-30 and January 20 14 through February 12 6.

2. General gun still – January 6-19 December 31 through January 13.

3. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the dog hunt area north of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191) – December 14-15 8-9.

4. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-20 November 26 through December 14 and February 13 7 through March 2 3.

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

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

7. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

8. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

9. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 20 through March 2 14-24.

10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – May 1 through March 2 3, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of Belandville Road.

11. through 14. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the field trial area (which includes that portion of the area bounded by Coldwater Creek on the northwest, the western boundary of Blackwater State Forest to the west and south, County Road 191 on the southeast, and on a line running west 3/4 mile from the intersection of County Road 191 and Coldwater Horse Trail, then north one mile and then three miles west to Coldwater Creek at a point 1/2 mile northeast of the Coldwater Recreation Area):

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun and archery – January 17-19 18-20.

3. through 5. No change.

6. Quail – February 3-4 4-5, 5-6 6-7, 17-18 18-19 and 19-20 20-21.

7. No change.

(d) through (f) No change.

(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Hutton Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26-29 20-23 and October 30 through November 3 24-28.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. Quail – November 9-10 10-11, 16-17 17-18, 20-21 21-22, December 9-10 10-11, 14-15 15-16, 23-24 24-25 and 28-29 29-30.

4. General gun – January 18-21 12-15 and 22-26 16-20.

5. Mobility-impaired general gun – January 31 through February 2 25-27 and February 7-9 1-3.

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

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

8. Wild hog-dog – July 19-21 20-22, August 16-18 17-19 and September 20-22 21-23, 2013 2012, and May 16-18 17-19 and June 20-22 21-23, 2014 2013.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers except that only quail may be taken during the quail season. Taking quail is prohibited except during the quail season. Taking 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 antlered deer shall be one per quota permit during the archery season and one per person, but no more than two per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, except during the mobility-impaired hunts. Two deer (except spotted fawns) may be taken per mobility-impaired quota permit. During the general gun for mobility-impaired season, only mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer. During 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-dog season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Carr Unit.

(a) Open season: Special-opportunity released quail – November 9-15 10-16, 16-22 17-23, 23-29 34-30, November 30 through December 6 1-7, December 7-13 8-14, 14-20 15-21, 21-27 22-28, December 28 29 through January 3 4, January 4-10 5-11, 11-17 12-18, 18-24 19-25, 25-31 January 26 through February 1, February 1-7 2-8, 8-14 9-15, 15-21 16-22 and 22-28 February 23 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – December 13 7 through January 12 6 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 17 through February 2 11-27 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – October 5 6 through December 8 2 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

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

6. Fishing and frogging other recreational use – Allowed when hunting is not allowed.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, turkey of either sex, fish, frogs and furbearers. During small game season, dove (Saturdays only, during phases established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.), quail and squirrel may be taken. Antlerless deer is any deer, except a spotted fawn, that is without antlers or whose antlers are less than one inch in length visible above the hairline. 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 last two 3-day hunts of archery season, the take of antlerless deer is prohibited. During the youth turkey hunt, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. During the archery, archery/muzzleloading gun, small game, youth spring turkey, and spring turkey seasons, access to the area shall be restricted to individuals authorized to participate in the hunt.

(8) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

2. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

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

4. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

5. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

7. Migratory game birds – During special September duck, dove and rail and common moorhen seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 29 through December 1 23-25 and December 14 through January 5 8-30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 10 4 through March 2 3 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 29 through December 1 23-25 and December 14 through January 5 8-30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 10 4 through March 2 3 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

2. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

3. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

5. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

6. through 7. No change.

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

9. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 26 27 through November 14 15.

2. through 6. No change. 

(12) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area – Womack Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 through November 3 20-28.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7, December 23 17-23 and January 6 through February 5 6-30.

4. General gun still – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14-22 8-16.

5. through 6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 27-30 28-31 and April 3-6 4-7.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2 3 through December 29 30, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. November 2-8 3-9, 9-15 10-16, and 16-24 17-25 in the Pinhook still hunt area.

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 14 15 through October 13 14, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. September 14-22 15-23 and October 5-13 6-14 in the Pinhook still hunt area.

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

7. Family hunt – October 26-27 27-28, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.

8. Wild hog-still – December 14-29 15-30, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.

9. through 11. No change.

12. Trapping – December 30 31 through March 1.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited in the Pinhook still hunt area, which is that portion of the area south of US 98. During the archery season in the Pinhook still hunt area the bag limit for deer shall be two deer, only one of which can be antlered, 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 in the Pinhook still hunt area, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(14) Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Small game – January 20 21 through March 2 3.

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

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

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

7. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 20 21 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 17 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25, January 25-28 19-22 and January 29 through February 2 23-27.

4. Small game – December 10-31 4-31.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 6 7.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 27 21 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-13 1-7 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25, December 14 8 through February 23 17 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 24 through March 2 18-24 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

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

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

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

9. through 11. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Escambia River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

2. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

5. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

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

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

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(18) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 27 21 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-13 1-7.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 23 17 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Supervised youth – October 26 20 through December 31 (only in areas and during days designated by the Installation Commander).

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

6. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 20 21 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

7. Small game – November 9 10 through March 2 3 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30 except Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island.

4. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10. Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 16 10.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 15 16 through April 20 21 only in that portion of the area south of the pipeline right-of-way located up river (north) of Cedar Log Landing (Walton County) and Billy Lee Landing (Washington County). March 15-17 16-18 and 28-30 29-31 in that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – December 1 through March 1 in still hunt areas and February 6 January 31 through March 1 in dog hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Chipola River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons, except in the Altha Tract:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through January 1.

4. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and January 2 through March 2 3.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 4-5 5-6 and 11-12 12-13.

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

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

8. through 10. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Altha Tract:

1. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

2. Family hunt – November 28 through December 1 22-25.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

4. Small game – January 4 5 through March 2 3 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

6. through 7. No change.

(c) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season in the Altha Tract, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person, but not more than two 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 season in the Altha Tract, the bag limit shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. The bag limit for During the youth turkey hunt and the spring turkey season in the Altha Tract, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit during the youth turkey hunt and one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit during the spring turkey season.

(d) through (e) No change.

(21) Yellow River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons except in the Grassy Point and Burnt Grocery Creek areas:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

4. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of Weaver River):

1. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25, January 25-28 19-22 and January 29 through February 2 23-27.

2. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 28-30 29-31, April 4-6 5-7 and 18-20 19-21.

5. Small game – November 9-17 10-18.

6. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the Burnt Grocery Creek area (the area west of Burnt Grocery Creek and north of Bernice Road and Old Fisher Mill Road):

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18, November 28 through December 1 22-25, and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. Small game – November 9-17 10-18.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18, 28-30 29-31, April 4-6 5-7 and 18-20 19-21.

7. through 8. No change.

(d) through (f) No change.

(22) Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek and Fitzhugh Carter areas.

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

4. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

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

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

8. Raccoon – November 9 10 through March 7 8 and April 21 22 through July 31.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the mobility-impaired hunt area (area south of County Road 388):

1. General gun – November 29 through December 1 23-25, January 17-19 11-13, 24-26 18-20, January 31 through February 2 25-27 and February 5-7 January 30 through February 1.

2. Spring turkey – March 15-16 16-17, 21-23 22-24, 28-30 29-31, April 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21.

3. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the Cat Creek (area south of State Road 20 and north of County Road 388) and Fitzhugh Carter (area west of State Road 77) areas:

1. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25, January 25-28 19-22 and January 29 through February 2 23-27.

4. Small game – December 14-29 8-23.

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

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

7. through 8. No change.

(d) through (f) No change.

(23) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

2. Small game – November 9-24 10-18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

4. General gun – November 28 through December 1 22-25, January 9-12 3-6, 16-19 10-13 and 23-26 17-20.

5. Wild hog-still – December 14-20 8-14.

6. Wild hog-dog  – July 12-14 13-15, August 9-11 10-12 and September 13-15 14-16, 2013 2012, and May 9-11 10-12 and June 13-15 14-16, 2014 2013.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 27-30 28-31 and April 10-13 11-14.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

(24) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 through November 1 20-26 and November 2-10 October 27 through November 4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. Family hunt – November 28 through December 1 22-25.

4. General gun – January 25-28 19-22 and January 29 through February 2 23-27.

5. Small game – December 13 7 through January 19 13 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 22-24 23-25, December 13-15 7-9, 27-29 21-23, January 10-12 4-6 and 24-26 18-20.

3. Small game – January 27 21 through February 23 17.

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Perdido River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

3. Family hunt – November 28 through December 1 22-25 and January 10-12 4-6.

4. General gun – January 18-24 12-18 and January 25 through February 2 19-27.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

6. Small game – December 10 4 through January 8 2.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24 and March 24 25 through April 6 7.

9. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. The launching or loading of any vessel with an internal combustion engine larger than 10 horsepower is prohibited at the Fillingim Fillingam and Pipes boat ramps.

7. No change.

(27) Juniper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – November 22-24 23-25, December 24-26, December 31 through January 2, January 17-19 18-20 and January 31 through February 2 1-3.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Beaverdam Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 26 20 through November 24 18.

2. Small game – November 9-27 10-21, December 2-13 November 26 through December 7 and February 6 January 31 through March 2 3.

3. Family hunt – November 28 through December 1 22-25.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 7-9 1-3.

5. General gun – December 14 8 through February 5 January 30.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 6-16 January 31 through February 10.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19 and 26-30 27-31.

8. Wild hog-dog – July 12-14 13-15, August 9-11 10-12 and September 13-15 14-16, 2013 2012, and May 9-11 10-12 and June 13-15 14-16, 2014 2013.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the family hunt, any deer except spotted fawns may be taken (limit one antlerless deer per person per day). During the muzzleloading gun season, any deer except spotted fawns may be taken (limit one antlerless deer per day). During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 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, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 11-14-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE 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