The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.064Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region. 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 revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the South Region as follows:

Allapattah Flats WMA – establish a 2-day youth spring turkey hunt opening the last Saturday in February (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions).

Big Cypress WMA – establish a 2-day youth spring turkey hunt (except in quota units) opening the last Saturday in February; allow hunting of migratory birds during statewide seasons; allow dogs to be used for hunting migratory birds during their respective statewide seasons; align bicycle rules with those of the National Park Service; establish a 2-day youth spring turkey hunt in the Addition Unit opening the last Saturday in February (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); establish a 2-day youth spring turkey hunt in the Bear Island Unit opening the last Saturday in February (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); establish two consecutive spring turkey hunts (one 4-day hunt followed by one 5-day hunt) beginning the first Saturday in March (50 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions) followed by one 28-day non-quota spring turkey hunt; and allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season in the Corn Dance Unit.

Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA – allow wild hog to be dismembered before checking at the check station; and allow any dog to be used for hunting waterfowl and snipe during their respective statewide seasons.

Everglades Headwaters WMA, Kissimmee Bend Unit – shift the two general gun hunts ahead one week and move the 3-day family hunt back three weeks to Thanksgiving weekend (Friday-Sunday); increase archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun quotas from 10 to 13 and the family hunt, spring, and youth turkey quotas from 5 to 7; align bicycle rules with those of cooperators; prohibit public access from 0.5 hours after sunset to 0.5 hours before sunrise, except for individuals who possess a camping permit and those participating in hunts; allow vehicle access to individuals who possess a camping permit; and update rule language to conform with the new definition of legal game.

Holey Land WMA – allow wild hog to be dismembered before checking at the check station; and allow any dog to be used for hunting waterfowl and snipe during their respective statewide seasons.

J.W. Corbett WMA – allow any dog to be used for hunting coots, doves, ducks, geese, and snipe during their respective statewide seasons; limit motor vehicle access on Trail 6 to persons legally participating in hunts during established seasons and provide an alternate route for motor vehicles to access the L-8 Levee Road; allow only street legal vehicles to be operated outside designated hunting seasons; allow only those persons participating in hunts to possess or operate unlicensed and unregistered motor vehicles; and prohibit all methods of take except bows (and crossbows by disabled crossbow permit) in the Bruce Bowman Archery Still Hunt Area.

Okaloacoochee Slough WMA – allow wild hog to be dismembered before checking at the check station; and relocate the 2-day family hunt to begin the Saturday 9 days after Thanksgiving Day instead of the third Saturday in September.

Picayune Strand WMA – allow hunting of released quail during small game season in designated portions of the South Golden Gates Estates Tract by permit only; allow off-road vehicle access (the same as that provided to quota hunt participants) to those legally participating in a released quail hunt; and extend the small game season to February 15.

Rotenberger WMA – allow wild hog to be dismembered before checking at the check station; and allow any dog to be used for hunting waterfowl and snipe during their respective statewide seasons.

Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA – update language regarding vehicle use to reflect change from “numbered” to “named” trails; and allow horses to be used on named trails.

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 n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes

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 December 15-16, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: TBA

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: Justin Bingham, South Region Public Hunting Areas Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Regional Office, 8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida 33412, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-15.064 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region.

(1) J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Youth tTurkey Hunt – The last Saturday in February and continuing for 1 day thereafter.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Raccoon season – The day following the close of the general gun season through the third Sunday in February.

8. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, furbearers and frogs. Deer daily bag one, annual bag two. Turkeys may not be taken during the archery season. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited except during the last 9 days of archery season. 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.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. The use or possession of airboats, tracked vehicles, unlicensed and unregistered (non-street legal) motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles on the area is prohibited year-round and use or possession of unlicensed and unregistered (non-street legal) motor vehicles is prohibited after 6:00 p.m. the day following the close of spring turkey season until 5:00 p.m. three days prior to archery season.

3. No change.

4. During open periods other than those designated for motor vehicle use around the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game, and spring turkey designated hunting seasons, only licensed and registered (street legal) motor vehicles may only be possessed or operated and only on named or numbered roads and Trail 6, except persons participating in dove and waterfowl hunts also may operate street legal vehicles on numbered trails from one day after the close of archery season to one day prior to the opening of muzzleloading gun season, persons participating in snipe hunts also may operate street legal vehicles on numbered trails from November 1 to one day prior to the opening of general gun season, and persons planning to participate in muzzleloading gun or general gun upcoming hunts also may possess, but not operate, recreational off-highway vehicles (side-by-sides) and swamp buggies from 6 p.m. one day following the close of archery and muzzleloading gun seasons until 8 a.m. one day prior to the opening of muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, respectively. From 8:00 a.m. one day before the opening of archery and spring turkey seasons through 6:00 p.m. the day after the close of these archery and spring turkey seasons, only street legal motor vehicles may be possessed or operated and only on named or numbered roads trails, but only by except persons participating in archery and spring turkey the hunts also may possess and operate side-by-sides and swamp buggies, and on named or numbered roads and trails (other than Indian Trails and L-8 Canal roads); and except as provided above for participants in dove and waterfowl hunts between archery and muzzleloading gun seasons. Only street legal motor vehicles Vehicles may only be possessed or operated and only on named or numbered roads and Trail 6 at any time after 8:00 a.m. one day prior to the opening of muzzleloading gun, general gun, and small game seasons through 6:00 p.m. the day after the close of each of these seasons, except these resrictions shall not apply to persons participating in muzzleloading gun, general gun, and small game the hunts also may possess and operate side-by-sides and swamp buggies on named or numbered roads and trails (other than Indian Trails and L-8 Canal roads) and throughout the area except where closed to vehicular traffic; and except as provided above for participants in snipe hunts between muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. Only street legal motor vehicles are allowed on the Indian Trails and L-8 Canal roads. Motor vehicle access between the L-8 Canal Road and trails 5 and 6 is prohibited, except during designated periods around hunting seasons and only for persons participating in hunts.

5. No change.

6. Take of wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except during area-specific general gun, small game, raccoon, and dog training seasons and bird dogs and retrievers may be used for taking coots, doves, ducks, geese, and snipe during their respective statewide seasons. During small game season, dogs may only be used to take small game.

7. Roy R. Burnsed Still Hunt Area: Dogs, except dogs used to take small game during small game season and bird dogs and retrievers used to take coot, doves, ducks, geese, and snipe during their respective statewide seasons, are prohibited in the still hunt area, delineated as that portion of the area starting at the junction of the South Grade and the Main Canal, then south on the South Grade to the Indian Trails Outfall Canal, then south, east, and south along the wildlife management area boundary, then west along the L-8 Canal to its junction with the Big Gopher Canal, then northeast along the Big Gopher Canal to its junction with the Tomato Field Grade, then east along the Tomato Field Grade to its junction with the Tomato Field, then along the western boundary of the Tomato Field to its junction with the Main Canal, then northeast along the Main Canal to the point of beginning.

8. through 14. No change.

15. Dogs, vehicles, and taking wildlife with guns other than bows firearms or crossbows are all prohibited in the Bruce Bowman archery still hunt area, delineated as that portion of the area lying north of the Stumpers Grade, east of the powerline, south and west of Game Canal to the buggy bridge and west of the youth camp road to the intersection of the Stumpers Grade except that vehicles may be used on established roads to access parking lots at the youth camp, shooting range and nature interpretive center.

16. through 20. No change.

(2) Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds except crows, mourning dove and white-winged dove Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except wild turkey, crow, and mourning and white-winged doves), fish, frogs and furbearers. Take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one during archery season, one during muzzleloading gun season, one during general gun-walk season and one per tag during the general gun-vehicle season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. When check stations are staffed oOn Saturdays and Sundays during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun-walk and general gun-vehicle seasons, deer and wild hog may not be quartered or , dismembered or removed from the area until checked at a manned check station.

5. No change.

6. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used to take during snipe and waterfowl during their respective statewide seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

7. through 19. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds except mourning dove and white-winged dove Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except turkey turkeys and mourning and white-winged doves), fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one forked antler and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. The forked antler shall have at least two points one inch or greater in length. Take of antlerless deer is prohibited during archery season. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per season during archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun-walk seasons and one per tag during the general gun-vehicle season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. When check stations are staffed oOn Saturdays and Sundays during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun-walk and general gun-vehicle seasons, deer and wild hog may not be quartered or dismembered or removed from the area until checked at a manned check station.

9. through 11. No change.

12. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used to take during waterfowl and snipe during their respective statewide seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

13. through 26. No change.

(e) No change.

(4) Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds except mourning dove and white-winged dove Dduring seasons established for these species by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except turkey turkeys and mourning and white-winged doves), furbearers, fish and frogs. Take of antlerless deer is prohibited during archery season. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per season during archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun-walk seasons and one per tag during the general gun-vehicle season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. When check stations are staffed oOn Saturdays and Sundays during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun-walk and general gun-vehicle seasons, deer and wild hog may not be quartered or , dismembered or removed from the area until checked at a manned check station.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used to take during snipe and waterfowl during their respective statewide seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

9. through 19. No change.

(e) No change.

(5) Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Youth turkey – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13, F.A.C.

5. renumbered 6. No change.

7.6. Migratory game birds September duck – During the seasons established by Rules Rule 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except on the Bear Island, Addition and Deep Lake units.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs (other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers) is prohibited, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used for hunting migratory birds during their respective statewide seasons and during small game season dogs may be used for hunting small game. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited. All dogs are prohibited in the Loop Unit. The possession of dogs (other than for hunting purposes) is prohibited except as authorized by National Park Service regulations. Leashed dogs may not be used for trailing wounded game.

2. through 20. No change.

21. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season in the Corn Dance, Loop, and Stairsteps units.

22. Bicycles may be operated only as authorized by National Park Service regulations.

(6) Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Family hHunt – Opening 9 days after Thanksgiving Day the first day of Zone A antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 1 day thereafter.

4. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during the bear season), fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, family and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. The taking of antlerless deer is prohibited during archery season. One gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per spring turkey or youth turkey quota permit. 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.

(c) through (d) No change.

(7) Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Youth tTurkey Hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., west of US Highway 27 only.

5. through 8. No change.

9. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., west of US Highway 27 only.

10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers except that turkeys may not be taken during the archery season. 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. The bag limit for deer shall be one per person, two per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per youth turkey quota or special-opportunity spring turkey permit. East of US Highway 27, gobblers or bearded turkeys may only be taken during the special-opportunity spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(8) Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 6 days after the last day of general gun season and closing February 15 71 days thereafter.

5. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

6. No change.

7. Migratory game birds – During the migratory game bird seasons as established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the general gun season that coincide with the open season established for the South BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one each. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per person, two per quota permit. The taking of antlerless deer and turkey is prohibited during archery season. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey or youth turkey quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Only licensed and registered vehicles may be operated on the area, and only on designated roads, parking areas, and other areas as designated by the Florida Forest Service, except swamp buggies and ROVs may be used on designated roads only in that portion of the area east of and including Miller Blvd. and south of and including Berson Blvd. during the small game season by individuals who possess a released quail permit and during (and 1 week prior to the opening of) the muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons, but only by individuals who possess having a valid quota permit and only on designated roads in that portion of the area east of and including Miller Blvd. and south of and including Berson Blvd.

4. through 7. No change.

8. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except for individuals who possess a camping permit permitted campers at designated campsites and individuals participating in a hunt during established seasons.

9. No change.

10. During the small game season only, northern bobwhite may be released and taken by shotgun in the designated area as shown on the hunt map, provided each individual or group participating possesses a daily released quail permit and proof (including the name and address of the vendor and date of purchase) that the northern bobwhite were purchased within the past 90 days from a game farm licensed by the Commission or another state.

(9) Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

6. Youth tTurkey Hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

7. No change.

8. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey or youth turkey quota permit. The taking of antlerless deer and turkey is prohibited during archery season. 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.

(c) through (d) No change.

(10) Spirit-of-the-Wild Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Youth tTurkey Hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

6. No change.

7. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds Dduring seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during the bear season), fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per person, two per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the youth turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per quota permit. The taking of antlerless deer and turkey is prohibited during archery season. 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.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Motor vVehicles may be operated only on named roads. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons, motor vehicles may also be operated on named or numbered trails by individuals participating in the hunt.

4. Horses are prohibited during periods open to hunting. During non-hunting periods, horses are allowed on named or numbered roads and trails and on designated equestrian trails only.

5. through 7. No change.

(11) Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Youth turkey – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13, F.A.C.

6. renumbered 7. No change.

8.7. Migratory game birds – During the migratory game bird seasons as established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. renumbered 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). 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. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit, except during the family hunt when the bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but no more than two per quota permit. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey or youth turkey quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(12) Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Management Area – Kissimmee Bend Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Family hunt – Opening the day after Thanksgiving Day the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter.

4. General gGun – Opening 7 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 9 days thereafter (Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only).

5. No change.

6. Youth turkey hunt – During the youth turkey hunt established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

7. No change.

8. Migratory game birds – During migratory game bird seasons as established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, turkey (except hen gobbler or beardless bearded turkey only), fish, frogs, and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). Taking of antlered deer not having at least 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be 1 antlered deer per quota permit. During the family hunt, the bag limit for deer shall be 2 antlered deer per quota permit but no more than 1 per person. The taking of antlerless deer is prohibited during archery season. During the archery, youth turkey, and spring turkey seasons, 1 gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per quota permit.

(c) Camping: Prohibited except by permit from the Florida Forest Service or United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Only tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Public access is allowed year-round, except during: nighttime hours (0.5 hours after sunset until 0.5 hours before sunrise) when only individuals who possess a camping permit and persons legally participating in hunts may access the area; quota hunts when only quota permit holders and their guests may access the area; the family hunt when only the quota permit holder, up to 2 youth hunters, and 1 non-hunting guest may access the area; and the youth turkey hunt when only the quota permit holder, 1 adult supervisor, and 1 non-hunting guest may access the area.

3. Motor vehicle Vehicular access is prohibited, except individuals participating in hunts licensed and permitted hunters may operate motor vehicles on designated roads and trails only beginning 15 days prior to the first day of archery season through the day after the last day of spring turkey season and individuals who possess a camping permit may operate motor vehicles on designated roads and trails only during the dates listed on their permit. At all other times, public access other than by foot, horseback, or bicycle is prohibited.

4. through 8. No change.

9. Bicycles may be operated only as authorized by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Forest Service regulations.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022.

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, 7-27-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 8-5-86, 5-10-87, 8-24-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 10-20-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.064, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 2-27-03, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 8-26-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 9-18-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20, 7-1-21, 7-1-22.

 

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 16, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 5, 2021