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

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
68A-15.065Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:
Buck Lake WMA – allow the hunting of wild hog during small game season; remove the quota requirement from the two 4-day wild hog-still hunts; add a 7-day small game hunt in January; allow the use of horses during small game season; change the bag limit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, two antlered deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Dunns Creek WMA – change the bag limit during muzzleloading gun season from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, two antlered deer per quota permit.
Etoniah Creek WMA – change the bag limit from one deer per quota permit to one deer per person, two deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Fort Drum WMA – require a permit from St. Johns River Water Management District to camp during non-hunting periods; allow the use of horses on named and numbered roads; and allow horses during small game season.
Guana River WMA – reduce the quota during the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons from 100 to 60 due to overcrowding concerns; and prohibit the use of cast nets or gigs within 50 yards of the water control structure located on the Guana Dam (instead of within 50 yards of the Guana Dam) to open up more area to cast netting.
Half Moon 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.
Lake George WMA – allow the use dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less to take rabbit during small game season.
Lake Panasoffkee WMA – allow the use of horses on named or numbered roads and designated trails during the wild hog-still and small game seasons.
Little Big Econ WMA – add the special September duck season; allow retrievers for waterfowl hunting during the special September duck season; and during the special September duck season, add the Econlockhatchee River as a designated entrance and remove the Winding River Lane as a designated entrance.
Marshall Swamp WMA – change the bag limit from one deer per quota permit to one deer per person, two deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Matanzas 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.
Ocala WMA – change the turkey bag limit during the spring turkey season 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; and clarify that the bag limit for deer is one per day per person.
Ocklawaha River WMA, Gores Landing Unit – change the name of the management area to Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area; change the bag limit from one deer per quota permit to one deer per person, two deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Relay WMA – remove the size and bag limits for wild hog.
Richloam WMA – add the special September duck season.
Richloam WMA, Baird Unit – prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog and start the general gun season two days later than it currently starts.
Rock Springs Run WMA – allow the use of handguns for hunting.
Ross Prairie WMA – change the bag limit from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, two antlered deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Salt Lake WMA – allow the use of horses during small game season.
Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – allow hunting of small game with bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during small game season; allow hunting of waterfowl with waterfowl retrievers during the special September duck season; and add the special September duck season.
Seminole Ranch WMA – allow horses during small game season and allow three hunters to hunt per daily quota permit during wild hog-dog season.
Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lakes Unit – change the bag limit from one antlered deer per quota permit to one antlered deer per person, two antlered deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit – allow the take of wild hog during small game season; change the bag limit from one deer per quota permit to one deer per person, two deer 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 not more than two per quota permit during spring turkey hunts.
Tosohatchee WMA – allow three hunters to hunt per each daily quota permit during wild hog-dog season.
Twelve Mile Swamp WMA – schedule the ending date of general gun season to always occur on the first Sunday in January.
Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA – allow camping from 8 a.m. one day prior to archery season until 6 p.m. seven days after the close of spring turkey season; clarify that at other times, the St. Johns River Water Management District will regulate camping; and allow the use of dogs to take wild hog during the first 14 days of the small game season.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution; 379.2223, 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATES AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-3 3-4 and November 4 5 through December 29 30.

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

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

4. Archery – September 14-15 15-16 and September 16 17 through October 13 14.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 9 10 through January 5 6 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

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

3.2. General gun still – November 23 24 through December 1 2 (Church Lake Unit only).

4.3. Small game – December 2 through March 2 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 6 7 through March 2 3 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

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

6.5. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units Management Units only.

7.6. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 9 10 through April 13 14.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

9.8. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10 (Lake Delancy Unit only).

10.9. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, 27-30 28-31, April 3-6 4-7 and 10-13 11-14.

10. renumbered 11. No change.

12.11. Trapping – December 1 through March 1, except in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

12. renumbered 13. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. 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. Antlered deer may only be taken in the Church Lake Unit during the archery season, muzzleloading gun season the first 9 days of the general gun season and the general gun still season. Deer daily bag one per person. Antlerless deer may not be taken during the archery season.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 9 10 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake units Management Units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 3 4 through April 13 14 only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 6 7 through April 13 14, only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy management units, except bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during small game, special September duck, dove, and duck, geese and coot seasons. Taking deer with dogs is prohibited in the Church Lake Unit during the general gun still hunt. Caged or leashed hunting dogs may be transported on numbered roads.

3. through 4. No change.

5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 6 7 through April 13 14 in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

6. No change.

(e) The Ocala Wildlife Management Area consists of four management units described as follows:

1. through 4. No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 23 through December 1 17-25 and December 2 November 26 through January 19 13.

2. Spring turkey – March 15-23 16-24 and March 24 25 through April 20 21.

3. Archery – October 19 13 through November 17 11.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 20 14 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – January 24-26 18-20.

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

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

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – November 2-5, 6-10 and 11-17 October 27-30, October 31 through November 4 and November 5-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 23-25 17-19.

3. General gun – January 20-23 12-15 and 24-28 16-20.

4. Wild hog-still – January 29-31 22-24.

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

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

7. Small game – February 1 January 26 through March 2 3.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs may be used during small game season. Taking wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

2. through 8. No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-3 3-4 and November 4 5 through December 29 30.

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

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

4. Archery – September 14-15 15-16 and September 16 17 through October 13 14.

5. No change.

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

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 25-27 26-28.

8. General gun-dog – December 5-8 6-9 and December 26-29 27-30.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and US 441 only.

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

(b) through (e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

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

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

4. Small game – December 7-29 8-30.

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. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – November 29 30 through December 1 2 and January 3-5 4-6.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, antlerless deer may be taken by anterless deer permit only. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two antlered deer per quota permit. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game 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. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. During non-hunting periods, public access is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.  During hunting periods, public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset.  At all other times, public access is allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 9-17 10-18.

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

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

4. Small game – November 21 22 through December 29 30.

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

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

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but not more than two per quota permit. 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.

(9) Relay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Wild hog – daily bag 1, possession limit 2.

(c) through (d) No change.

(10) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –October 3-6 4-7 and 10-13 11-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-27 25-28 and October 31 through November 3 1-4.

3. General gun – November 14-17 15-18 and 22-24 23-25.

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

5. Wild hog-dog – January 10-16 11-17 and February 7-13 8-14.

6. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Allowed at the designated through-trail campsites along the Florida Trail throughout the year, but only by through hikers. Tent camping is allowed during periods closed to hunting at designated campsites by permit only.

(d) General regulations:

1. Public access during periods closed to hunting shall be from 8 a.m. to sunset unless camping at designated campsites. Public access during periods open to hunting shall be from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time, except during the spring turkey hunts, when public access is allowed from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

3. through 7. No change.

(11) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

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

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

4. Small game – November 23-24 24-25, November 30 through December 1 1-2, December 7-8 8-9 and January 4-5 5-6.

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

6. Wild hog-dog – January 25-26 26-27 and January 27-31 28 through February 1.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Airboats, tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited. Horses are prohibited during periods open to hunting, except small game season.

4. through 8. No change.

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

10. No change.

(12) Jumper Creek 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 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 29 30.

4. Small game – December 30 31 through January 19 20.

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.

(13) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –September 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

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

3. General gun – November 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 1 1-2, December 7-8 8-9 and January 4-5 5-6.

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Taking wildlife with handguns is prohibited.

2. through 8. renumbered 1. through 7. No change.

(14) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

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

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

4. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

5. Small game –November 29 30 through December 1 2, December 6-8 7-8, January 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 12. No change.

13. The possession or use of gill nets, trawls, seines, gigs, or spear guns is prohibited in Lake Ponte Vedra, except that gigs may be used to harvest frogs. The use of cast nets or gigs within 50 yards of the water control structure located on the Guana Dam from the Guana Dam to 50 yards north of the dam is prohibited.

14. through 17. No change.

(e) No change.

(15) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

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

3. General gun – November 2-4 3-5 and 8-10 9-11.

4. Small game – November 29 30 through December 1 2, December 6-8 7-9 and 13-15 14-16.

5. Wild hog-still – January 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24, 28-30 29-31 and April 4-6 5-7.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs 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 archery season, antlerless deer may be taken by anterless deer permit only. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. 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. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(16) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30.

2. Supervised small game – October 5-13 6-14.

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

4. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 13-17 14-18.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 21 22 through January 5 6 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 8-9 9-10 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

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

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Persons shall possess a special-opportunity dove hunt permit to hunt in posted dove fields.

7. through 8. renumbered 6. through 7. No change.

(17) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13, 13-17 14-18 and 18-24 19-25.

4. Small game – November 25 26 through March 2 3.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Camping is allowed year round at the Volusia County Group Camping campsite by permit from Volusia County. On the remainder of the area, camping is allowed only at designated campsites, but only by permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District, except camping is prohibited during general gun season.  Camping is prohibited during the general gun season. During the remainder of the year camping is allowed only by permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during the general gun and small game seasons and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used to hunt rabbit during small game season.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 23 24 through December 8 9 and December 21 22 through January 5 6.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 15-21 16-22, March 29 30 through April 4 5 and April 12-18 13-19.

3. No change.

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

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

6. General gun – November 9-17 10-18.

(b) through (e) No change.

(19) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-24 22-25 and September 25-29 26-30.

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

3. General gun – November 30 through December 3 1-4 and December 4-8 5-9.

4. Small game – January 11-26 12-27 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 15-19 16-20 and 22-26 23-27.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 18-20 19-21.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

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

4. through 8. No change.

(20) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 24-26 25-27, January 31 through February 2 1-3, February 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 12-18 13-19 and October 26 27 through November 1 2.

3. Small game – November 23 24 through January 19 20.

4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 15-21 16-22, March 29 30 through April 4 5 and April 12-18 13-19.

5. through 6. No change

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

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

7. through 8. No change.

(21) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 7-10 8-11, 14-17 15-18 and 21-24 22-25.

4. Small game – November 25 26 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 21-24 22-25 and March 28-31 29 through April 1.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but not more than two per quota permit. 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.

(c) through (d) No change.

(22) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27 28 through October 3 4 and October 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

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

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. Small game – December 7-22 8-23.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 20-23 21-24 and 27-30 28-31.

6. No change.

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

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that bird dogs may be used during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers may be used during the special September duck season.

2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. No change.

4. Persons shall enter and exit at a designated entrance, except during the special September duck season, access is also allowed from the Econlockhatchee River and is prohibited from the Winding River Lane designated entrance.

(23) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 1-4 2-5 and 17-20 18-21.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 19-22 20-23, October 1-4 2-5, 10-13 11-14, 22-25 23-26, October 31 through November 3 1-4, November 12-15 13-16, November 28 29 through December 1 2 and December 10-13 11-14.

3. Wild hog-still – January 10-12 11-13.

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

5. Small game – January 31 through February 2 and February 7-9 1-3 and 8-10.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and shall be parked within 25 feet of those roads. Horses and bicycles may be ridden only on named or numbered roads and designated trails.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during wild hog-dog hunts periods open for hunting.

4. through 10. No change.

(24) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23.

2. Supervised small game – October 12-18 13-19, November 16-22 17-23, December 14-20 15-21 and January 11-17 12-18.

3. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during the supervised small game season. Antlerless deer may not be taken during the archery season. Wild turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. The bag limit for deer is one antlered deer per person, but not more than two antlered deer per quota permit. The bag limit for turkey is one bearded turkey or gobbler per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(25) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30 and October 5-11 6-12.

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

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 13-17 14-18.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 15 1-16 and opening the day following the close of wild hog-still season through the last Sunday in January.

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

6. Wild hog-still – January 2-5 3-6 and 16-19 17-20.

7. No change.

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

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Airboats, tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, horses and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited except that horses are allowed on named and numbered roads or designated trails during periods closed to hunting and during small game season.

3. through 4. No change.

5. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. At all other times, public access other than by foot, horseback or bicycle is prohibited.

(26) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 26 27 through November 1 2.

2. Small game – December 7-22 8-23.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 15-21 16-22, March 29 30 through April 4 5 and April 12-18 13-19.

4. Wild hog-still – October 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21.

5. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Only tent camping is allowed, and only at designated campsites. During special-opportunity and wild hog-still hunts, only hunters in possession of valid special-opportunity permits or wild hog-still quota permits and their guests may camp; during all other times, camping is by permit only from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Airboats, tracked vehicles, The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are is prohibited. Horses are allowed only on named and numbered roads and designated trails and only during periods closed to hunting and small game season.

6. Horses are allowed only during nonhunting periods and may be ridden only on designated trails.

7. renumbered 6. No change.

(27) Gores Landing Ocklawaha River Wildlife Management Area – Gores Landing Unit.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 9-17 10-18.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 15 1-16.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but not more than two per quota permit. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-22 20-23 and September 26-29 27-30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-27 25-28.

3. General gun – November 7-10 8-11.

4. Wild hog-still – November 15-17 16-18, December 13-15 14-16 and January 10-12 11-13.

5. Small game – January 3-5 4-6, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-17 16-18 and 21-23 22-24.

7. No change.

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

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used during small game season to take small game and waterfowl retrievers may be used to take ducks during special September duck season.

2. through 4. No change.

(29) Twelve Mile Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 2 3 through the first Sunday in January December 30.

4. Small game – The day following the close of general gun season December 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. No change.

8. Trapping – The day following the close of general gun season December 31 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 2 3 through January 12 13.

4. Small game – January 13 14 through March 2 3.

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

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 23-24 17-18. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 2 3 through December 29 30.

(c) Camping: Camping is prohibited except from 8 a.m. one day prior to archery season to 6 p.m. seven days after the close of spring turkey season or at other times as authorized by St. Johns River Water Management District. Only tent camping is allowed, and only at designated campsites.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game, duck and coot seasons, and dogs may be used for wild hog hunting during the first 14 days of the small game season January 16-20.

7. through 10. No change.

(31) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7 and November 16-24 17-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26 27 through November 3 4.

3. Wild hog-still – January 18-26 19-27.

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

5. through 6. No change.

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

(c) through (d) No change.

(32) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30 and September 30 through October 6 1-7.

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

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 13-17 14-18.

4. Small game –December 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16; January 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13; February 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 16-19 17-20.

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

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Airboats, tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited. Horses are prohibited during periods when the area is open to hunting, except small game season. Horses and bicycles may be used only on named or numbered trails or roads.

4. through 5. No change.

6. Vehicle access is prohibited except during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game, wild hog-dog and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. Vehicle access is also allowed during small game season. At all other times, public access other than by foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian) or bicycle is prohibited.

7. No change.

8. No deer, wild hog or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at a check station, except wild hog during small game season.

9. No change.

(33) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-27 22-28, September 28 29 through October 6 7 and October 7-13 8-14.

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

3. Family hunt – November 9-10 10-11.

4. General gun – November 11-17 12-18.

5. Wild hog-still – November 30 through December 6 1-7 and December 7-15 8-16.

6. Small game – January 6-21 7-22.

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

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(34) Lake Monroe.

(a) No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except wild turkey may only be taken during archery and spring turkey seasons), furbearers, fish and frogs. Antlerless deer may only be taken during the archery season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(35) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. Small game – December 7-15 8-16 and January 4-10 5-11.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 16-19, 21-24 22-25 and March 28-31 29 through April 1.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. through 5. No change.

(36) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14-20 15-21, 21-27 22-28, September 28 29 through October 4 5, October 5-11 6-12 and 12-20 13-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 1-3 2-4.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. No change.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but not more than two deer per quota permit. 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.

 

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–New6-21-82, Amended 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 8-11-11, 7-1-12, 7-26-12, 7-1-13.

 

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 06, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2013