The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during ....

 

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, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to proposed changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and to adjust how some season dates are described to better conform to calendar year 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, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to proposed changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., adjust how some season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:

Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA – allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season.

Caravelle Ranch WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; and prohibit camping except in designated campsites from 8:00 a.m. one day prior to each established hunt through 6:00 p.m. one day after each established hunt (except dove hunts).

Gores Landing WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.

Guana River WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; and change all references of “common moorhen” to “common gallinule.”

Half Moon WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; shift the January wild hog-still hunts 6 weeks earlier into December; shift the December small game season 6 weeks into January; and allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season.

Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.

Lake Panasoffkee WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; change the wild hog-still hunt into a small game hunt; allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season; prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season; and shift the small game hunts 4 weeks earlier to better overlap the waterfowl season.

Little Big Econ WMA – allow vehicular access through the Winding River Lane entrance during the September duck season.

Matanzas WMA – remove the quota requirement for the wild hog-still season.

Ocala WMA – remove the requirement that no deer or turkey shall be dismembered or transported out of the hunt area until checked at a check station.

Salt Lake WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.

Three Lakes WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.

Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lake Unit – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.

Triple N Ranch WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during 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 n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 25-26, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Live Video Conference broadcast via Adobe Connect and The Florida Channel.

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: George Warthen, 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 6-7 7-8 and November 8 9 through January 2 3.

2. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. January 4 through March 7.

3. Spring turkey – During the spring turkey season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 20 through April 25.

4. Archery – September 18-19 19-20 and September 20 21 through October 17 18.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26.

6. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

7. 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 or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 13-21 14-22 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 27 28 through December 5 6 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 6 7 through March 6 7 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 10 11 through March 6 7 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

5. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1, in the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 13 14 through April 17.

8. No change.

9. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.  March 13-14.

10. Spring turkey – March 24-27 25-28, March 31 through April 3 1-4, April 7-10 8-11 and 14-17 15-18.

11. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 13 14 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. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 2 through April 17 only in that portion of the Pipeline 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 10 11 through April 17, only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No deer or turkey shall be dismembered or transported out of the hunt area until checked at a check station.

2. through 4. renumbered 1. through 3. No change.

4.5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 10 11 through April 17 in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

6. renumbered 5. No change.

6. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(e) No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 20-28 21-29 and November 29 30 through January 16 17.

2. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28 and March 28 29 through April 24 25.

3. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone B antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 29 days therafter. October 17 through November 15.

4. No change.

5. Trapping –  Opening the day after the last day of the general gun season January 25 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 29 30 through May 1 2, May 27-29 28-30 and June 24-26 25-27 (east of CR 471 only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

8. No change.

9. Small Game – Opening the day after the last day following the close of the general gun season through the last day end of the gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 30 31 through November 2 3, November 3-7 4-8 and 8-14 9-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – January 16-19 17-20 and 21-25 22-26.

4. Wild hog-still – January 27-29 28-30.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

7. Small game – January 30 31 through February 27 28.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 6-7 7-8 and November 8 9 through January 2 3.

2. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. January 4 through March 7.

3. Spring turkey – During the spring turkey season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 20 through April 25.

4. Archery – September 18-19 19-20 and September 20 21 through October 17 18.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26.

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

8. General gun-dog – December 9-12 10-13 and December 30 31 through January 2 3.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 14-16 15-17, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31 (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 – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

(b) through (e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

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

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22 and April 1-3 2-4 and 15-17 16-18.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still –December 3-5 4-6, January 14-16 15-17 and 28-30 29-31 and February 25-27 26-28.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 6-14 7-15 and November 15 16 through January 2 3.

2. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 29 days therafter. September 19 through October 18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. January 4 through March 7.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, March 31 through April 4 1-5 and April 14-17 15-18.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 13-21 14-22.

2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

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

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, and April 1-3 2-4 and 15-17 16-18.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 7-10 8-11 and 14-17 15-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-31 29 through November 1 and November 4-7 5-8.

3. General gun – November 18-21 19-22 and 26-28 27-29.

4. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, and April 1-3 2-4 and 15-17 16-18.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 14-20 15-21 and February 11-17 12-18.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.

3. General gun – November 19-21 20-22.

4. Small game – November 27-28 28-29, December 4-5 5-6 and 11-12 12-13 and January 8-9 9-10.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

6. Wild hog-dog – January 29 30 through February 4 5.

7. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 29 days therafter. September 19 through October 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26.

3. General gun – November 6-14 7-15 and November 15 16 through January 2 3.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. January 4 through March 7.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – During the spring turkey season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 20 through April 25.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26 and October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22.

4. Small game –December 4-5 5-6, 11-12 12-13 and January 8-9 9-10.

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26 and 29-31 October 30 through November 1.

3. Archery – October 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game –December 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13, January 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 29-31.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

6. No change.

7. Rails and common gallinule moorhens – In the rail and common gallinule moorhen season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C., and only in the marsh adjacent to the intercoastal waterway.

(b) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 13-15 14-16 and 19-21 20-22.

4. Small game – January 14-30. December 4-20.

5. Wild hog-still –  December 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19. January  15-17, 22-24 and 29-31.

6. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

7. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

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 or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. 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, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken 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.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 3 4.

2. Supervised small game – October 9-17 10-18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

4. General gun – November 10-14 11-15 and 17-21 18-22.

5. Small game – November 25 26 through January 9 10 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

7. Spring turkey – March 23-27 24-28 and March 30 31 through April 3 4.

8. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Camping is allowed only in designated primitive campsites and only from 8:00 a.m. one day prior to each established hunt through 6:00 p.m. one day after each established hunt (except dove hunts). Only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. Authorized camping equipment and camping are allowed for no more than 14 days within a 30-day period.

(d) No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 29 days therafter. September 19 through October 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.

3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17, 17-21 18-22 and 22-28 23-29.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. November 30 through March 7.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and March 31 through April 3 1-4 and April 14-17 15-18.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 27 28 through December 12 13 and December 25 26 through January 9 10.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 19-25 20-26, April 2-8 3-9 and 16-22 17-23.

3. No change.

4. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

6. General gun – November 13-21 14-22.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-28 26-29 and September 29 30 through October 3 4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun –December 4-7 5-8 and 8-12 9-13.

4. Small game – January 15-30 16-31 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 19-23 20-24 and 26-30 27-31.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 22-24 23-25.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 28-30 29-31, February 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 16-22 17-23 and October 30 31 through November 5 6.

3. Special-opportunity muzzleloading gun – November 18-21 19-22.

4. Small game – November 27 28 through January 23 24.

5. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 19-25 20-26, April 2-8 3-9 and 16-22 17-23.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-25 24-26 and October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 11-14 12-15, 18-21 19-22 and 25-28 26-29.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of the general gun season November 30 through the first Sunday weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, 25-28 26-29 and April 1-3 2-4.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –October 1-7 2-8, 8-14 9-15 and 15-23 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

3. General gun – November 19-21 20-22, 26-28 27-29 and December 3-5 4-6.

4. Small game – December 11-26 12-27.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, 24-27 25-28 and March 31 through April 3 1-4.

6. Youth turkey – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

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

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 24-27 25-28, April 5-8 6-9 and 21-24 22-25.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 23-26 24-27, October 5-8 6-9, 14-17 15-18, 26-29 27-30, November 4-7 5-8 and 16-19 17-20, December 7-10 8-11 and 16-19 17-20.

3. Wild hog-still – January 15-17.

3.4. Wild hog-dog – February 11-13 January 29-31 and February 25-27 26-28.

4.5. Small game – January 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30. February 5-7, February 12-14 and March 5-7.

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

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Turkey may be taken only during the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts and only from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per special-opportunity spring turkey permit. One antlered deer may be taken per special-opportunity deer permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with four or more points is prohibited. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still and wild hog-dog season seasons. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season, is prohibited. The use of dogs to take wild hog during the small game season is prohibited. except that Dogs dogs may be used to take wild hog during the wild hog-dog season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than 3 free-running dogs per wild hog-dog quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

9. through 10. No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26 25-27.

2. Supervised small game – October 16-22 17-23, November 20-26 21-27, December 18-24 19-25 and January 15-21 16-22.

3. Spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 3 4 and October 9-15 10-16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 18-22 19-23.

4. Small game –December 4-19 5-20.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 24-28 25-29.

6. Wild hog-still – December 31 through January 30 1-31.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 30 31 through November 5 6.

2. Small game – December 11-26 12-27.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 19-25 20-26, April 2-8 3-9 and 16-22 17-23.

4. Wild hog-still – November 12-14 13-15, 19-21 20-22, 26-28 27-29; and February 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 13-21 14-22.

4. Small game – During the month of December 1-31.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 23-27 24-28.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-26 24-27 and September 30 through October 3  1-4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-31 29 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 11-14 12-15 and 18-21 19-22.

4. Wild hog-still – December 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and January 14-16 15-17.

5. Small game – January 7-9 8-10, 21-23 22-24, 28-30 29-31 and February 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22 and 25-27 26-28.

7. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season as established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 29 days therafter. September 19 through October 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 23-31 24 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 6 7 through January 16 17.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the last day of gray squirrel season as established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. January 18 through March 7.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – During the spring turkey season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 20 through April 25.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 20-21 21-22. 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 6 7 through January 2 3.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11 and November 20-28 21-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.

3. General gun – December 9-12 10-13 and 16-19 17-20.

4. Wild hog-still – January 22-30 23-31.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, April 1-3 2-4 and 15-17 16-18.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 3 4 and October 4-10 5-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 17-21 18-22.

4. Small game – December 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20; January 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17, 28-30 29-31 and February 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 20-23 21-24.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 23-27 24-28.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 1 2 and October 2-10 3-11 and 11-17 12-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.

3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.

4. General gun – November 15-21 16-22 and 23-29 24-30.

5. Wild hog-still –December 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

6. Small game –January 3-25 4-26.

7. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, March 31 through April 3 1-4 and April 7-10 8-11.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(32) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 1-7 2-8, 8-14 9-15 and 15-23 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.

3. General gun – November 12-14 13-15, 19-21 20-22 and December 3-5 4-6.

4. Small game – December 11-19 12-20 and January 8-14 9-15.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, 25-28 26-29 and April 1-4 2-5.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 18-24 19-25, September 25 26 through October 1 2, and October 2-8 3-9, 9-15 10-16 and 16-24 17-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 5-7 6-8.

3. General gun – November 19-21 20-22, 26-28 27-29 and December 3-5 4-6.

4. Small game – Opening the second Saturday in November through the last day close of gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., that does not coincide with the established area general gun season dates.

5. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 13-21 14-22.

4. Small game – Opening two days prior to the last Sunday the Friday of the last weekend in November and closing 38 days thereafter the Sunday of the first weekend in January (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 24-27 25-28 and March 31 through April 3 1-4.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2021

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 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, 9-9-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 8-19-19, 7-1-20, 7-1-21.

 

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: George Warthen, 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 17, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 19, 2020