68A-15.062: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central 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 changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:
Andrews WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 20, no exemptions)
Bayard WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 10, no exemptions)
Belmore WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 10, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit
Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 40, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit
Big Bend WMA, Spring Creek Unit establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required)
Big Bend WMA, Tide Swamp Unit establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required)
Big Shoals WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 20, no exemptions)
Camp Blanding WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt in locations to be determined by the Camp Blanding Post Commander (quota of 35, no exemptions); prohibit take of wildlife on/within 100' of Dade, Treat and Impact Roads.
Citrus WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 25, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Cypress Creek WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 12, no exemptions).
Devils Hammock WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 30, no exemptions).
Four Creeks WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 15, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit; and change general gun season from 2 (4- & 5-day) hunts to 3 (3-day) hunts.
Grove Park WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required).
Gulf Hammock WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required); increase archery season scout period to 3 days (consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to the archery season).
Hatchet Creek WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Jennings Forest WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 30, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Lochloosa WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Log Landing WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Lower Econfina River WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Middle Aucilla River WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Nassau WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required).
Osceola WMA clarify that motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated, named or numbered roads and mixed-used roads, except all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads and establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Potts WMA remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Raiford WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 25, no exemptions).
Ralph E. Simmons WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 15, no exemptions).
Steinhatchee Springs WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required); remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Twin Rivers WMA establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 20, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Additional proposed rule changes would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections and language standardization. There are also proposed changes to some hunting seasons on FWC-managed areas in an effort to better align season dates with times of peak deer activity associated with the breeding season and other hunter preferences.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The Agency has determined that this will not have an impact on small business. An SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
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 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, February 23-24, 2011, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., each day.
PLACE: Franklin County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Courtroom, 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320
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 (850)488-6411. 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas North Central Region.
(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun still Opening the Monday Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 57 days thereafter, only in the following areas:
a. through b. No change.
2. General gun dog Opening the Monday Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for eight days thereafter, and opening the Saturday before Christmas (or Christmas Day when it occurs on a Saturday) and continuing for eight days thereafter. Only in the dog hunt area, which is north of State Road 16 and County Road 215, and east of County Road 225 and West Road.
3. Youth turkey hunt As established by subparagraph 68A-13.004(2)(c)2., F.A.C., except with specific hunt dates and locations to be determined by the Camp Blanding Post Commander.
4.3. No change.
5.4. Archery September 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7, only in the still hunt areas; and the Monday Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 57 days thereafter in the archery- only area, which is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery - only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.
6.5. No change.
7.6. Muzzleloading gun October 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21, only in the still hunt areas.
8.7. No change.
9.8. Trapping December 1 through January 8 9, only in the still hunt areas.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. All Ppersons shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken.
2. through 14. No change.
15. It shall be unlawful to take wildlife on or within 100 feet, upon or from the rights-of-way of Dade, Treat and Impact Roads.
(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
2.1. Spring turkey March 17-25 19-27.
3.2. Archery September 24 25 through October 9 10.
4.3. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
4. through 5. renumbered 5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5 13 through January 22 23.
2. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
3.2. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
4.3. Archery September 17 25 through October 16 24.
5.4. Muzzleloading gun October 22 30 through November 4 7.
6.5. renumbered 6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Public access is allowed only when hunting is allowed and on the Friday prior to archery and spring turkey season and on the consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to the archery and general gun seasons season.
3. through 7. No change.
(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5-18 13-26, November 19 27 through December 4 12 and December 5 13 through January 1 9.
2. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
3.2. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
4.3. Archery September 24 25 through October 23 24.
5.4. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
6.5. No change.
7.6. Small game January 2 10 through March 4 6.
8.7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. Fires are prohibited on the area.
6. No change.
(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 12 13 through January 8 9.
2. Small game January 9 10 through March 4 6.
3. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
4.3. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
5.4. Archery September 24 25 through October 16 17.
6.5. No change.
7.6. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat July 30 August 7 through September 20 28 in the dog hunt portion of the area only from sunset to sunrise.
7. through 8. renumbered 8. through 9. No change.
10.9. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 29 31 through November 7 9, except in the still hunt area.
3. No change.
4. Motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated, named or numbered roads and mixed-use roads, except all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads. and bicycles shall be restricted to numbered roads or those roads posted as mixed use roads.
5. through 8. No change.
(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Tide Swamp Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5 13 through January 1 9.
2. Archery September 24 25 through October 23 24.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
4. Small game January 2 10 through February 26 March 6.
5. through 6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
9.8. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. During the muzzleloading gun season, the youth turkey hunt, and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area, obtain a daily permit, which they shall keep on their person, and check all game taken.
4. through 7. No change.
8. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.
(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Spring Creek Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5-13 and 13 November 14 through January 1 9.
2. Archery September 24 25 through October 23 24.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
4. Small game January 2 10 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
7.6. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
7. through 8. renumbered 8. through 9. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. During the muzzleloading gun season, the youth turkey hunt, and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area and shall check all game taken.
2. through 6. No change.
7. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.
(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Hickory Mound Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5-13 13-21, 14-20 22-28 and November 21 29 through January 1 9.
2. Small game January 2 10 through February 26 March 6.
3. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
4. Archery September 25 through October 1-30 24.
5. through 7. No change.
8. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 11. No change.
12. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during the archery season except that waterfowl retrievers may be used during the special September duck season.
13. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances. The Painted Rock Road entrance shall only be used during the general gun season.
(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Jena Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5-13 13-21 and November 14 22 through January 1 9.
2. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
3. Small game January 2 10 through February 26 March 6.
4. through 5. No change.
6. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Snipe Island Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 23 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun November 5-13 and November 14-27 13 through December 5.
4. Small game December 31 January 8 through January 29 February 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 17-25 19-27, March 26 28 through April 1 3 and April 2-8 4-10.
7.6. Trapping January 7 8 through March 1.
8.7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. During the muzzleloading gun season, the youth turkey hunt and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area and check all game taken.
5. through 8. No change.
(11) PotashCorp White Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. No change.
2. Fishing and frogging Prohibited during periods open to hunting; and allowed only by landowner permit during periods closed to hunting on other days if in possession of written permission from landowner.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station a check point when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken.
2. through 8. No change.
(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 9 10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Archery and muzzleloading gun November 5-13 13-21.
4.Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
5.4. Spring turkey March 17-25 19-27.
6.5. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed during the archery and muzzleloading gun season.
2. through 7. No change.
(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5-13 13-21.
2. Archery September 24 25 through October 9 10.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
(b) through (d) No change.
(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 23-25 and September 30 through October 2 October 1-3 and 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 29-31 and November 4-6 and 11-13 5-7.
3. General gun November 18-20 19-21.
4. Small game December 30 through January 1, January 6-8 7-9, and 13-15 14-16 and 21-23.
5. Family hunt December 3-4 and 10-11 February 5-6 and 12-13.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
7.6. Spring turkey March 23-25 25-27 and April 13-15 15-17.
8.7. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt October 22-23 16-17 and 29-30 23-24.
9.8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No person shall hunt in any zone other than that to which he or she is assigned by zone tag. Zone tags shall not be transferred. All Hhunters shall keep the zone tag in their possession. Zone tags shall be returned to the check station before exiting the area. Zone tags may be reserved for the next day.
2. No change.
3. Vehicles may be operated only on improved portions of named or numbered roads. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, persons may enter the area no earlier than one-half hour before sunrise and shall exit no later than one-half hour after sunset. Horses and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited on the area.
4. No change.
5. During the supervised deer/hog youth hunts, only persons under sixteen years of age but not younger than eight years of age, and under the supervision and in the presence of an adult no younger than 18 years of age as provided in Section 790.22, F.S., may hunt.
6. through 9. No change.
(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 26 27 through October 1 2, October 3-8 4-9 and 10-15 11-16.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31 and November 4-6 5-7.
3. Small game December 19-24 20-25 and 26-31 December 27 through January 1.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
5.4. Spring turkey March 22-24 24-26 and April 12-14 14-16.
6.5. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal fish. During the archery season only antlerless and antlered deer, wild hog, turkey of either sex, rabbit, and gray squirrel may be taken. During the muzzleloading gun season only antlered deer, wild hog, rabbit and gray squirrel may be taken. During the small game season only wild hog, rabbit and gray squirrel may be taken. During the spring turkey season only bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken. All legal fish.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No person shall hunt in any zone other than that to which he or she is assigned by zone tag. Zone tags shall not be transferred. All Hhunters shall keep the zone tag in their possession.
2. No change.
3. During hunting periods, access for hunters will be only be through the check station on C.R. 135.
4. Vehicles may be operated only on portions of named or numbered roads. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited on the area. Horses are allowed only on roads open to vehicular use or on designated horse trails.
5. through 6. No change.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-30 25 through October 1 and October 1-9 2-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. General gun November 5-8 13-16 and 9-15 17-23.
4. Small game November 26 through December 18 4-26.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 23-25 25-27 and April 13-15 15-17.
7.6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, turkey (archery and spring turkey seasons season only), gray squirrel, quail, rabbit and fish. The bag limit for deer is one per person per season for each of the following seasons: archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun. The bag limit for turkey is one per person per hunt during the archery and spring turkey seasons season except that the bag limit is only one per quota permit and one per 3-day hunt period during the youth turkey hunt spring turkey season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station on Highway 90 in Zone B during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and report all game taken.
2. During archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons, no person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which he or she has a zone tag.
3. No change.
4. Horses are allowed only during daylight hours and only on designated roads.
5. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
9.10. No change.
(17) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area Blue Springs Unit.
(a) through (b) No change.
(c) Camping: Prohibited during periods open to hunting and allowed only by landowner permit during periods closed to hunting.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Persons participating in bird dog training or quail hunts shall enter and exit the area only at the entrance designated on the current hunt brochure.
5. through 7. No change.
(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-27 25-28, September 28 29 through October 1 2, October 2-5 3-6 and 6-9 7-10.
2. Supervised small game October 15-23 16-24, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
4. No change.
5. General gun November 5-8 13-16, 9-12 17-20, 13-16 21-24 and 17-20 25-28.
6. Small game January 6 14 through February 5 13, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.
7. No change.
8. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
9.8. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 20-22 22-24 and 23-25 25-27.
9. through 10. renumbered 10. through 11. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of the North Fork Black Creek, east of County Road 217 and west of the Yellow Water Creek) except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 10. No change.
11. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
12. through 13. renumbered 11. through 12. No change.
(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Mobility-impaired general gun October 14-16 15-17, 28-30 29-31, November 4-6 5-7 and December 16-18 17-19.
2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey March 23-25 25-27 and April 13-15 15-17.
3. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 16 17.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. General gun (still hunt) November 5-7 13-15 and 8-10 16-18.
4. General gun (dog hunt) November 11-13 19-21 and 14-17 22-25.
5. Small game January 7-29 15 through February 6.
6. Spring turkey March 17-23 19-25 and March 24 26 through April 1 3.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 11. No change.
12. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun December 10-11 18-19 and December 31 through January 1 8-9.
2. Small game January 2 10 through February 26 March 6.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 3-4 11-12 and 17-18 January 1-2.
4. Archery November 5-27 13 through December 5.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 20-22 22-24, April 3-5 5-7 and 17-19 19-21.
7.6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, take of antlerless deer shall be by anterless deer permit only. Turkey may be taken only during the spring turkey season. when tThe bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per spring turkey quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Only bird dogs may be used for hunting during the small game season. Except during the small game season, authorized training and field trials, the possession or use of dogs is prohibited except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C. Dogs are prohibited at other times except as authorized.
2. through 11. No change.
12. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 1-4 2-5 and 7-11 8-12.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. General gun November 5-8 13-16 and 11-15 19-23.
4. Small game November 25-27 26-28 and December 16-18 17-19.
5. Spring turkey March 17-20 19-22 and 23-27 25-29.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Spring turkey March 17-20 19-22 and 23-27 25-29.
2. Archery October 6-9 9-12 and 12-16 15-19.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 November 5-7.
4. Wild gun hog-dog November 18-20 19-21.
5. Small game December 9-11 10-12, January 6-8 7-9, and February 3-5 4-6.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per spring turkey quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 8. No change.
9. During the wild hog-dog season, a quota permit allows a hunting group of two persons and a guest, as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (three total) to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
10. No change.
(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 14-16, 28-30, September 25-27, October 8-10 and November 4-6 22-24.
2. Small game November 12 13 through December 4 5 and December 24 25 through January 8 9.
3. Wild hog-still February 2-5 10-13 and 16-19 24-27.
4. Special-opportunity spring turkey March 17-23 19-25 and March 31 through April 6 2-8.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(25) Devils Hammock Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 17-20, 21-25 and 26-30 25-28, September 29 through October 3 and October 4-10.
2. Family hunt October 8-9 16-17 and 15-16 23-24.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
4. General gun November 5-8 13-16 and 9-13 17-21.
5. Small game November 19 27 through December 18 26.
6. Wild hog-still January 16 24 through February 12 20.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
8. through 9. renumbered 9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by person possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District. Persons shall enter and exit at designated entrances. The public shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances only.
4. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station on SR 24 and check all game taken during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons. During small game season, hunters shall sign in and out upon entry or exit at the designated entrances.
5. through 6. No change.
(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-30 30 through November 7 (still hunt area only).
3. General gun November 12 13 through January 8 9.
4. Small game January 9 10 through February 19 20.
5. Wild hog-dog February 24-26 25-27.
6. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 1 3.
7. No change.
8. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
9. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited, except that all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles shall be allowed only by permit from the Suwannee River Water Management District. Horses are allowed only on roads and designated horse trails during daylight hours.
3. through 8. No change.
(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5 13 through December 1 9 and December 2 10 through January 1 9.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-30 30 through November 7.
3. Small game January 2 10 through March 4 6.
4. Archery September 17 25 through October 16 24.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
6. through 7. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. A quota permit is required of all hunters entering the area during open hunting seasons, except during the small game season.
6. through 7. renumbered 5. through 6. No change.
(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26 25-27, October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Small game November 26-30 and December 17-21 4-8 and 25-29.
4. through 5. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. All Ppersons shall enter and exit only at designated entrances.
4. through 6. No change.
(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Small game November 12 13 through January 8 9, except on Sundays, and only in that portion of the area known as the Adams Tract located northeast of U.S. 27, east and south of County Road 251, and southwest of the Suwannee River.
2. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Persons shall enter and exit at designated entrances Public access is allowed only through designated access points.
5. Fires are prohibited except in the designated camping area.
6. No change.
(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 9 10 and November 12-20 20-28.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-30 30 through November 7.
3. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
3. through 5. renumbered 4. through 6. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Only tent camping is allowed and only at designated campsites sites. Camping is allowed year-round in Area 1 and in Area 3, except that during periods open to hunting, only quota permit holders and their hunting guests may camp in Area 3 during non-hunting periods in Area 3. During periods open to hunting, only quota permit holders and their hunting guests may camp in Area 3.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All Hhunters must check in and out at the designated check station and check all game taken.
7. through 11. No change.
12. Vessels may be used to access the area from the St. Johns River.
(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22 30 through November 4 7.
3. General gun November 12 13 through January 8 9.
4. Small game January 9 10 through March 4 6.
5. No change.
6. Trapping December 1 through January 8 9.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
9.8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Fires are prohibited on the area.
5. through 7. No change.
(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 23 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun November 5-13 13-21 and November 14 22 through December 4 12.
4. Small game January 14 24 through February 12 20.
5. Wild hog-dog February 17-19 25-27 and 24-26 March 4-6.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
7.6. Spring turkey March 17-20 19-22, 21-25 23-27 and March 26 28 through April 8 10.
7. through 8. renumbered 8. through 9. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 8. No change.
9. During the wild hog-dog season a quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest (3 total), as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
(33) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 5 13 through January 1 9.
2. Small game January 2 10 through March 4 6.
3. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
4.3. Spring turkey March 17 19 through April 22 24.
5.4. Archery September 23 25 through October 21 24.
6.5. Muzzleloading gun October 22 30 through November 4 7.
7.6. No change.
8.7. Trapping January 9 10 through March 1.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. Vehicles are prohibited on the area from 1.5 hours after sunset to 1.5 hours before sunrise. Vehicles shall may only enter and exit the area at designated entrances locations.
6. No change.
(34) Cary Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26 25-27 and September 30 through October 2 1-3.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 15-17 and 28-30 October 29-31.
3. Family hunt November 5-6 13-14.
4. General gun November 11-13 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.
5. Small game December 2 3 through January 8 9 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 1-3.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers are allowed during the duck, geese and coot season.
3. through 6. No change.
7. Hunters shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.
8. No change.
(35) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 19-27 20-28.
2. Archery September 24 25 through October 2 3.
3. Muzzleloading gun October 22-30 30 through November 7.
4. General gun for mobility-impaired October 15-18 16-19.
5. Small game December 12-25 20 through January 2 and January 28 through February 5 5-13.
6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
7. through 8. renumbered 8. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. Antlerless deer (except spotted fawns) may be taken only during the archery and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons. During the mobility-impaired hunt only certified mobility-impaired hunters may take an antlerless deer. Only one quota permit may be utilized per individual, per season.
(c) Camping: During quota hunt periods, camping is allowed only in the Scotts Landing Road campground and only by hunters in possession of a valid quota permit hunters in possession of a quota permit shall only camp in the Scotts Landing Road campground. During the small game season and periods closed to hunting, camping in the Scotts Landing Road campground is allowed only by permit from the Florida Division of Forestry. During periods closed to hunting, camping at primitive campsites along the St. Marys River is allowed on a first-come first-served basis.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All Hhunters must check in and out at the designated check station and check all game taken.
7. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(36) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 8-23 September 25 through October 10.
2. No change.
3. Small game January 16 24 through February 26 March 6.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
5.4. Spring turkey March 17-25 19-27.
6.5. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) General regulations:
1. The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 fifteen inches or less is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.
2. through 6. No change.
(37) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26 25-27, September 30 through October 2 1-3 and October 7-9 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Family hunt November 5-6 13-14.
4. General gun November 10-13 18-21 and 23-27 24-28.
5. Small game December 2 3 through January 8 9 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 1-3.
8. through 9. renumbered 9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked tracted vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
5.3. No change.
6. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(38) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26 25-27, September 30 through October 2 1-3 and October 7-9 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Family hunt November 5-6 13-14.
4. General gun November 11-13, 18-20 18-21 and 25-27 24-28.
5. Small game December 2 3 through January 8 9 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 1-3.
8. through 9. renumbered 9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances or via the Nassau River or Boggy, Mills or Thomas Creeks.
7. No change.
8. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(39) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26, September 30 through October 2 25-27, and October 7-9 1-3 and 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Family hunt November 5-6 13-14.
4. General gun November 11-13 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.
5. No change.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
7.6. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 1-3.
8.7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. All Hhunters shall enter and exit the area only at the designated entrance, check in and out at the check station and check all game taken.
6. All hunters must check in and out at the designated check station and check all game taken.
7. through 9. renumbered 6. through 8. No change.
(40) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24 25 through October 9 10 and October 29 through November 6 13-21.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Small game November 25 December 3 through January 1 9 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. No change.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey March 17-25 19-27.
7.6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances or via the Suwannee River.
7. No change.
(41) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area Kings Road Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery September 24-26 25-27, October 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.
2. Muzzleloading gun October 22-24 29-31.
3. Family hunt November 5-6 13-14.
4. General gun November 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 24-26.
5. Small game December 2-7 3-8, 12-14 13-15, 23-25 24-26, December 30 31 through January 1 2 and January 9-11 10-12.
6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 10-11.
8.7. Spring turkey March 17-19 19-21, 26-28 28-30 and April 2-4 4-6.
9.8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. All Ppersons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.
2. No change.
3. Motorized vehicles are allowed only in designated parking areas prohibited.
4. through 7. No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. HistoryNew 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11.
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.W.
