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 date changes to calendar year. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.062Specific 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 date changes to calendar year. 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 amendments would adjust season dates to conform to the calendar year and revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region.

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

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

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 7-8, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute, 85 Academy Drive, Havana, Florida 32333.

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: 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Archery – September 25-27 26-28 and October 2-4 3-5, only in the still hunt and archery-only areas; and October 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19, and the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 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.

7. No change.

8. Muzzleloading gun – October 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19, only in the still hunt areas.

9. No change.

10. Trapping – December 1 through January 6 7, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. Turkeys of either sex may be taken during the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons, the last two days of each of the two general gun still quota periods, the first two days of the non-quota period of the general gun still season and the last three days of each general gun dog hunt. Taking 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 supervised youth hunts, the bag limit for deer shall be only wild hogs and one antlered or antlerless deer may be taken per youth. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. During periods open to hunting, hHunters may enter the area with their hunting equipment and dogs (where legal) one hour before sunrise and shall exit the area with their equipment and dogs by one hour after sunset. Hunting equipment may be taken onto the area beginning 8 a.m. the day preceding each supervised youth hunt and shall be removed from the area the last day of each supervised youth season hunt.

3. through 16. No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

2. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 21-23.

5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening November 10 the Saturday before Thanksgiving and closing concurrently with the gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game Antlered deer, bear (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the North BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), gray squirrel, rabbit, furbearers and fish. During the small game season, the take of small game is also allowed. 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.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3 4 through January 20 21.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

4. Archery – September 15 16 through October 19 15.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – October 20 21 through November 2 3.

6. Small game – January 21 27 through March 3 February 25.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-16 4-17, November 17 18 through December 2 3 and December 3-30 4-31.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

6. No change.

7. Small game – December 31 January 1 through March 3 4.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 3 4.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

4. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

5. Archery – September 22 23 through October 14 15.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-27 21-28 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 10 11 through March 3 4 in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 28 29 through November 6 7, except in the still hunt area.

3. through 7. No change.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3 4 through December 30 31.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – November 10 11 through March 3 4.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

9. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-11 4-12 and November 12 13 through December 30 31.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – November 12 13 through March 3 4.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-11 4-12, 12-18 13-19 and November 19 20 through December 30 31.

2. Small game – November 12 13 through March 3 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

4. Archery – September 29 30 through October 28 29.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Sepember 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. General gun – November 3-11 4-12 and November 12 13 through December 30 31.

3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 March 4.

4. Small game – November 12 13 through March 3 4.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 3-11 4-12 and 12-25 13-26.

4. Small game – November 12 13 through March 3 4.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25, March 25-31 26 through April 1 and April 1-7 2-8.

7. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During the trapping season, taking trapped furbearers with a .22 caliber rimfire firearm is allowed.

7. renumbered 6. No change.

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

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

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 3-11 4-12, Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and December 22-25 23-26.

4. Wild hog-still – December 29 30 through January 1 2.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25 and April 4-7 5-8.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-11 4-12.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 21-23.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24 and September 28-30 29 through October 1.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – November 23-25 24-26, December 28-30 29-31 and January 4-6 5-7.

5. Family hunt – January 19-20 20-21 and 26-27 27-28.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

7. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25 and April 12-14 13-15.

8. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 20-21 21-22 and October 27-28 28-29.

9. Wild hog-still – May 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.

10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-29 25-30, October 1-6 2-7 and 8-13 9-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29 and November 2-4 3-5.

3. Small game – November 10 through March 3 Opening on Thanksgiving Day and continuing for 38 days thereafter.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 22-24 and April 11-13 12-14.

6. 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 is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. 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.

(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. Hunters shall keep the zone tag in their possession. Persons are not required to possess zone tags during small game season.

1.2. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area, and shall check all game taken, except during the archery, muzzleloading gun and small game seasons season.

3. through 6. renumbered 2. through 5. No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-28 23-29 and September 29 30 through October 7 8.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. General gun – November 5-11 6-12 and 12-18 13-19.

5. Small game – Opening on Thanksgiving Day and continuing for 73 38 days thereafter.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

7. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25 and April 12-14 13-15.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area – Blue Springs Unit.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking wildlife with a gun firearms is prohibited except with blank-firing pistols during the bird dog training season by persons in possession of a bird dog training permit; and with shotguns during the quail season by those persons in possession of a valid quota permit.

7. No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-25, 23-26 September 26-29 27-30, September 30 through October 3 1-4 and October 4-7 5-8.

2. Supervised small game – October 13-21 14-22, 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 26-28 27-29.

4. Bird dog training – November 19 20 through December 16 17 in the quail enhancement area and in the Normandy Unit only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through January; except that bird dog training is prohibited during the archery season.

5. General gun – November 5-8 6-9, 9-12 10-13, 13-16 14-17 and 17-20 18-21.

6. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

7. Small game – January 4 5 through February 3 4, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog-still – February 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18, May 3-5 4-6, 17-19 18-20 and May 31 through June 2 1-3.

9. No change.

10. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

11. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 19-21 20-22 and 22-24 23-25.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Primitive Ccamping allowed year-round at designated sites, by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area and shall report all game taken.

7. through 12. renumbered 6. through 11. No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 12-14 13-15, October 26-28 27-29, November 2-4 3-5 and December 14-16 15-17.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25 and April 12-14 13-15.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 14 15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 3-5 4-6, 6-8 7-9 and 9-12 10-13.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 16-18 17-19, 19-22 20-23 and 23-26 24-27.

5. Family hunt – December 29-30 30-31.

6. Small game – January 5 6 through February 3 4.

7. Spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 23-31 24 through April 1 and April 1-7 2-8.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 7-9 8-10 and December 28-30 29-31.

2. Small game – December 31 January 1 through February 24 25.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 30 through December 2 1-3 and December 14-16 15-17.

4. Archery – November 3-11 4-12, 12-18 13-19 and 19-25 20-26.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, April 2-5 3-6 and 16-19 17-20.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 29 30 through October 2 3 and October 5-9 6-10.

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

3. General gun – November 3-6 4-7 and 9-13 10-14.

4. Small game – November 16-18, 23-25 24-26 and December 14-16 15-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 22-26 23-27.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 22-26 23-27.

2. Archery – October 4-7 5-8 and 10-14 11-15.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Wild hog-dog – November 16-18 17-19.

5. Small game – February 1-3 2-4, 15-17 16-18 and March 1-3 2-4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers except that taking 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. One gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 11-14 12-15, October 25-28 26-29 and November 1-4 2-5.

2. Small game – November 9 10 through December 2, 3 and December 22 23 through January 13 14 and February 2-24.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23 and March 30 31 through April 5 6.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 15-18 16-19, 19-23 20-24 and September 24-28 25-29.

2. Family hunt – October 6-7 7-8 and 13-14 14-15.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 21-23.

4. General gun – November 3-6 4-7 and 7-11 8-12.

5. Small game – November 12 18 through January 13 December 17.

6. Wild hog-still – January 14 15 through February 10 11.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 15 16 through October 14 15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 21-29 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through February 17 18.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 18 24 through March 10 11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16-31 17 through April 1.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During the general gun season, taking wildlife is prohibited south and east of McCall’s Chapel Grade and east of East Mainline.

7. through 9. renumbered 6. through 8. No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-29 4-30 and November 30 through December 30 1-31.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 21-29.

3. Small game – December 31 January 1 through March 3 4.

4. Archery – September 15 16 through October 14 15.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. Small game – November 10 25 through March 3 January 7.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers and fish. Antlered deer, Aantlerless deer may be taken only (during the family hunt only), bear may be taken (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the North BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), rabbit, gray squirrel, and quail may be taken (only during the first 16 days of the small game season), furbearers, migratory birds (only during small game season) 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 family hunt, one antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 10 11 through March 3 January 7, except on Sundays.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8 and November 10-18 11-19.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 21-29.

3. General gun – Opening Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.

4. Wild hog-still – February 22-24.

5.3. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

4. through 6. renumbered 6. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the Central BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C), fish, frogs, and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season and one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons 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. During the spring turkey season one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 15 16 through October 14 15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20 21 through November 2 3.

3. General gun – November 3 4 through January 6 7.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 3 4.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 6 7.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 3-11 4-12 and November 12-30 13 through December 1 and January 7-20 8-21.

4. Small game – December 1 2 through January 6 7.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 1-3 2-4, 15-17 16-18 and 22-24 23-25.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

7. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, 20-24 21-25 and March 25 26 through April 7 8.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 21-23 and 26-28 27-29.

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. General gun – November 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game – November 30 December 1 through January 20 7 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 25-29 26-28 and February 15-19 2-4 and 16-18.

7. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the North BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), fish, and frogs and furbearers except that only wild hog, deer, bear, waterfowl, fish and frogs may be taken during the family hunt, and the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. 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 no more than two deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit shall be one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(34) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 17-25 18-26.

2. Archery – September 15-23 16-24.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 21-29.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 6-9 7-10.

5. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

6. Small game – December 10-23 11-24 and January 26 27 through February 3 4.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) No change.

(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. 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 Forest Service and camping at primitive campsites along the St. Mary’s River is allowed on a first-come first-served basis.

(d) No change.

(35) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 6-21 7-22 and October 29 through November 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.

3. Small game – November 12 January 15 through March 3 February 25.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the archery season that coincide with the open season established for the East Panhandle 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. The take of antlerless deer during the last 14 days of archery season is prohibited.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Northern bobwhite may be released and taken by shotgun during the small game season provided each individual or group participating possesses a daily 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.

(36) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5 and 17-18 18-19.

4. General gun – November 8-11 9-12 and 21-25 22-26.

5. Small game – November 30 December 1 through January 20 7 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. General gun – November 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game – November 30 December 1 through January 20 7 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 8-12 8-11.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

9. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(38) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24, September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. General gun – November 9-11 10-12 and 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game – December 15 through January 13.

5. renumbered 6. No change.

7.6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8.7. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and 29-31 March 30 through April 1.

8. renumbered 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except during small game season when vehicles are prohibited on the area except at designated parking areas.

2. through 7. No change.

8. During periods open to hunting except small game season, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits and those persons identified in Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.

(39) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 15 16 through October 14 15 and November 2-11 3-12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 21-29, November 16-25 17-26 and December 21-30 22-31 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – November 30 through December 16 1-17 and January 4 5 through March 3 February 11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Wild hog-still – May 4-12 5-13.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(40) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area – Kings Road Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25, October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

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

3. Family hunt – November 3-4 4-5.

4. General gun – November 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game – December 15 through January 13 1-6, 11-13, 22-24, December 29-31 and January 8-10.

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.

8. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except during small game season when vehicles are prohibited on the area except at designated parking areas. Motorized vehicles are allowed only in designated parking areas.

4. through 7. No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 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, 7-1-12, 10-9-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 8-26-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17,          .

 

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: December 06, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 5, 2018