The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest 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-15.061Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region

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

Arbuckle WMA – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; allow hunting equipment on the WMA from 2 weeks prior to archery season until 1 week after muzzleloading gun season; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Avon Park Air Force Range WMA – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; and allow persons less than 16 years of age to harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length in those areas and during those days as specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

Chassahowitzka WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 2 or more points is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; extend the shooting hours during spring turkey season from 1 p.m. to sunset; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Croom WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and allow up to 2 hunters per quota permit (quota permit holder and 1 additional hunter, with a shared daily bag limit of 6 quail) during the field trial quail season.

Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA, Yucca Pens Unit – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.

Green Swamp WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; begin the archery and general gun seasons 2 weeks later; extend the first archery hunt from 2 to 3 days; allow archery hunting on Thanksgiving Day in addition to the normal Friday through Sunday hunt; move the wild hog-dog season to the beginning of October; and begin small game season the weekend after general gun season and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the zonal small game season (number of weekends will vary between 4 and 5).

Green Swamp WMA, West Unit – clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Hickory Hammock – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; shift the mobility-impaired hunt to prevent overlap with Thanksgiving weekend; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Hilochee WMA – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; extend the shooting hours during spring turkey season from 1 p.m. to sunset; remove the requirement to check harvested game at a check station; begin the first wild hog hunt 2 weeks earlier and schedule the other 2 wild hog hunts to occur every other weekend after that; extend small game season from 10 to 17 days and move it to January; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Hilochee WMA, Osprey Unit – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

KICCO WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Lake Marion Creek WMA – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Lower Hillsborough WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Upper Hillsborough WMA – as an alternative to existing 3 point antler point restriction, also allow the harvest of antlered deer having at least 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more; and persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.

Walk-in-the-Water WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length; allow hunting equipment on the WMA from 2 weeks prior to archery season until 1 week after muzzleloading gun season; and clarify that during spring turkey season the area limit of 1 per day and the statewide season limit of 2 apply.

Weekiwachee WMA – harvesting antlered deer not having 1 antler with 3 or more points or 1 antler with a main beam of 10 inches or more is prohibited, except persons less than 16 years of age may harvest any antlered deer with 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.

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; Sections 379.2223, 375.313 FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIMES AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATES AND TIMES: the Commission’s regular meeting February 4 - 5, 2015, 8:30 a.m. ‒ 5:00 p.m., each day

PLACE: Hyatt Regency, 225 E. Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202

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-15.061 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Southwest Region.

(1) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 5 November 22 through January 31 18.

2. Archery – October 30 18 through November 29 16, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only and Thanksgiving Day.

3. Small game – Beginning after the close of general gun and continuing until the close of the zonal squirrel season as established by rule 68A-13, F.A.C. January 24 through February 22, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Wild hog-dog – October 1-4 and 8-11 February 26 through March 1 and March 5-8.

5. Spring turkey – March 19 21 through April 24 26.

6. 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 wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(2) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area – West Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – October 9-11 10-12.

2. Wild hog-dog – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Special-opportunity archery – December 5-8 6-9 and 17-20 18-21.

4. Special-opportunity general gun – January 21-24 22-25, February 1-4 2-5 and 10-13 11-14.

5. Special-opportunity turkey – March 19-22 21-24, 28-31 March 30 through April 2, April 2-5 4-7, 11-14 13-16 and 16-19 18-21.

6. Small game – February 26-28 20-22 and March 4-6 February 27 through March 1.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Turkey may be taken only during the special-opportunity turkey hunts. One The bag limit for turkey shall be 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 seasons.

(c) Camping: Camping is allowed at designated campsites during hunting season and at other times by permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, unless contained in mobile campers are prohibited. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are is prohibited. Each camper shall ensure assure that their campsite is clean at all times. The alteration, defacing, moving or tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited. The use or operation of electrical generators powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited within the campgrounds from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m.

(d) No change.

(3) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 12-16 13-17.

2. Bird dog training – Bird dogs may be trained in the bird dog training area September 19 20 through February 14 15 and bird dogs may be trained in the remainder of the area during the small game season except the field trial and Boy Scout areas.

3. General gun – November 7-15 8-16.

4. Small game – November 16-29 17-30 and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only December 2 3 through January 17 18.

5. Field trial quail – January 23-24 24-25.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the take of turkey is prohibited. After the first two days of archery season, the take of antlerless deer is prohibited. 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. Wild hog may only be taken during archery and general gun seasons with a limit of one per quota permit or one per exempt hunter each season. The take of wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Quail shall be taken by daily quail or field trial quail quota permit only with a bag limit of 6 per day. During the raccoon and opossum season, only raccoon and opossum are legal to take.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. The take of quail within the field trial and Boy Scout areas is prohibited, except persons authorized to participate in the field trial quail hunt in possession of a field trial quota permit may take quail within the field trial area.

13. through 17. No change.

18. During the field trial quail season, a quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons to participate in the hunt provided the daily bag limit shall be shared.

(4) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area – Yucca Pens Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 16-18 17-19.

2. General gun – November 7-15 8-16.

3. Small game – November 18 19 through January 17 18 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

4. through 5. 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. Quail may be taken only during the small game season. The bag limit for quail shall be six per day. During small game season the take of wild hog is prohibited. During the raccoon and opossum season, only raccoon and opossum are legal to take.

(c) through (d) No change.

(5) Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-dog – November 10-12 11-13.

2. Archery – December 5-6 6-7, 12-13 13-14, January 2-3 3-4 and 9-10 10-11.

3. Muzzleloading gun – January 16-17 17-18, 23-24 24-25, 30-31 January 31 through February 1 and February 6-7 7-8.

4. Small game – February 20-21 14-15, 27-28 21-22 and March 5-6 February 28 through March 1.

5. Spring turkey – March 23-24 25-26, 30-31 April 1-2, April 6-7 8-9, 13-14 15-16 and 20-21 22-23.

6. 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the wild hog-dog season only wild hog may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(6) Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 through November 6 11-31.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 12-20 6-14.

3. Small game – January 9-10 3-4 and 30-31 24-25.

4. Spring turkey – March 22-24 24-26 and April 5-7 7-9.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except turkeys shall be legal to take only during spring turkey season), furbearers and fish. 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Deer bag limit – one per day. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. In addition to the provisions of Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., hunting equipment shall be allowed on the area 14 days prior to the first hunt allowing the take of deer and shall be removed by 7 days after the end of the last hunt allowing the take of deer.

(7) KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 13 through October 18 12, Saturdays and Sundays only.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-25 18-19 and October 31 through November 1 25-26.

3. Wild hog-still – November 14 8 through December 13 7, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Small game – December 19 13 through January 24 18.

5. Spring turkey – March 19 21 through April 17 19, Saturdays and Sundays only.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, 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. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken Turkey bag limit – one per spring turkey quota permit. One turkey may be taken per archery quota permit. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(8) Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – September 18-20 12-14, 25-27 19-21 and January 15-17 9-11.

2. Archery – October 16-18 10-12.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 18-20 and 28-30 22-24.

4. General gun – November 7-9 1-3.

5. Small game – November 16-29 10-23 and January 25 19 through March 6 1.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – December 12-13 November 29-30.

7. No change.

8. Spring turkey – March 24-26 26-28 and April 14-16 16-18.

9. 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Antlerless deer may be taken during archery and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit. During the archery and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. Only mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer during the general gun for mobility-impaired season. One During spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the first fourteen (14) days of small game season the take of wild hog is prohibited.

(c) through (d) No change.

(9) Walk-in-the-Water Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-4 September 27-28, 5-8 September 29 through October 2, 9-11 October 3-5, 12-15 6-9, and 16-18 10-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 5-6, November 29-30 7-10 December 1-4 and 11-13 5-7.

3. Wild hog-still – January 16-19 10-13 and 20-24 14-18.

4. Small game – Feburary 6-14 January 31 through February 8 and February 27 21 through March 6 1.

5. Spring turkey – March 29-31 31 through April 2.

6. No change.

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

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. In addition to the provisions of Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., hunting equipment shall be allowed on the area 14 days prior to the first hunt allowing the take of deer and shall be removed by 7 days after the end of the last hunt allowing the take of deer.

(10) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Youth turkey hunt – March 12-13 14-15.

2. Spring turkey – March 25-27 27-29 and April 8-10 10-12.

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

4. Wild hog-still – November 20-22 December 5-7, December 4-6 January 16-18 and 18-20 23-25.

5. Small game – January 8-24 30 through February 8.

6. Archery – February 12-14 13-15.

7. No change.

8. Raccoon – August 6 7 through September 27 28 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish (as provided below), 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass from Peat Lake, Little Peat Lake, Stock Lake, Hidden Lake, and Turtle Pond. No person shall take, in any one day, more than 20 bluegill, 10 black crappie, or 6 catfish. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill less than 8 inches total length or black crappie less than 10 inches total length. During the raccoon season, only raccoon and opossum may be taken.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. All users shall enter and exit the area through designated entrances. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken, except during the small game and raccoon seasons.

2. through 6. No change.

7. No deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at a check station.

8. through 10. renumbered 7. through 9. No change.

(11) Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-19 18-20 and 23-25 24-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 27-29 28-30.

3. General gun – January 22-24 23-25 and February 5-7 6-8.

4. Small game – January 8-10 2-4 and 15-17 9-11.

5. Wild hog-still – December 11-13 12-14 and 25-27 26-28.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 12-13 14-15.

7. Spring turkey – March 19-21 21-23, April 1-3 3-5 and 15-17 17-19.

8. 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit. No more than one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit during the archery season. One During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(12) Avon Park Air Force Range Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 13 through October 18 12 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 6 18-31 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

3. General gun – November 7 1 through January 24 18 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

4. Small game – November 14 8 through March 6 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 12-13 14-15 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

6. Spring turkey – March 19 21 through April 24 26 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

7. Antlerless deer – November 21-27 22-28 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, turtles, and furbearers. Antlered deer, wild hog, and quail may be taken only during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee. 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age in those areas and during those days as specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

(c) through (d) No change.

(13) Croom Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 18-20.

2. General gun – November 7-29 1-23.

3. Small game – December 7 1 through March 6 1.

4. Spring turkey – March 22-24 24-26, April 5-7 7-9 and 19-21 21-23.

5. Fox, raccoon and bobcat – December 17 11 through March 13 8. Hunting is allowed from 5 p.m. Thursday to sunrise Sunday with dogs only. Taking wildlife with guns is prohibited during this season.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. One During spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring 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.

(14) Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 13 through October 18 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 18-20.

3. General gun – November 7 1 through January 3 December 28.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 15-17 9-11 and 22-24 16-18.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 12-13 14-15.

8. Spring turkey – March 25-27 27-29, April 8-10 10-12 and 22-24 24-26.

9. Raccoon – February 4-28 January 29 through February 22 and May 5-29 April 30 through May 24 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During the archery season, the take of antlerless deer shall be by antlerless deer permit only. 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 spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season. Waterfowl and coot may be taken on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only. During the raccoon season, only raccoon and opossum may be taken.

(c) through (d) No change.

(15) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area – Osprey Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – November 13-15 14-16.

2. Wild hog-still – November 27-29 28-30.

3. Wild hog-dog – December 11-13 12-14 and January 8-10 9-11.

4. Small game – January 28 22 through February 8 2.

5. Archery – February 12-14 13-15.

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

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 12-13 14-15.

8. Spring turkey – April 15-17 17-19 and 22-24 24-26.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish 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, one inch or more in length, is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season. The take of deer is prohibited during the family hunt. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog seasons. Turkey may be taken during the spring turkey season only. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass. No person shall take, in any one day, more than 20 bluegill, 10 black crappie, or 6 catfish. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill less than 8 inches total length or black crappie less than 10 inches total length.

(c) through (d) No change.

(16) Weekiwachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-22 18-23, November 14-19 15-20, December 12-17 13-18, January 16-21 17-22 and February 13-18 14-19.

2. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bearded turkey or gobbler, 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. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited. The bag limit for deer shall be two antlered deer per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(17) Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – December 11-13 12-14, January 15-17 16-18, January 29-31 30 through February 1 and February 12-14 13-15.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 25-27 27-29 and April 8-10 10-12.

3. 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. Antlerless deer may be taken during the family hunts. The bag limit for deer shall be two deer per quota permit. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken The bag limit for turkey shall be one per spring turkey quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2015

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 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, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 9-19-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 10-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 8-23-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 10-20-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.061, Amended 12-9-99, 3-30-00, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 5-13-02, 5-25-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 21, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2015