The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region and conform date changes to calendar year. 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-15.065Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region 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 calendar year and revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

(1) Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-4 4-5 and November 5 6 through December 30 31.

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

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

4. Archery – September 15-16 16-17 and September 17 18 through October 14 15.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunters shall enter and exit at a designated entrance, check in and out at a check station and check all game taken. During small game season, hunters shall check in and out using self-check boxes located at each designated entrance and record all game taken. Persons hunting and entering via the designated walk-in entrances on the Crabgrass Road Creek portion of the area shall have a daily permit issued from the check station in their possession (except during the small game season). Persons engaging in recreational activities other than hunting shall enter and exit at a designated entrance and register at the check station upon entering and exiting the area, except persons hiking through on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

2. through 5. No change.

6. Hunting equipment may be taken onto the area until 8 a.m. seven days prior to the opening of the season and shall be removed from the WMA before 6 p.m. seven days following the close of the season.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only.).

2. General gun dog – November 10 11 through 18 19 (Church Lake Unit only.).

3. General gun still – November 24 25 through December 2 3 (Church Lake Unit only.).

4. Small game – December 3 4 through March 3 4 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 7 8 through March 3 4 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only.).

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

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29, in the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 10 11 through April 14 15.

8. No change.

9. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10. 10-11 (Lake Delancy Unit only.)

10. Spring turkey – March 21-24 22-25, March 28-31 29 through April 1, April 4-7 5-8 and 11-14 12-15.

11. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 10 11 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 4 5 through April 14 15 only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 7 8 through April 14 15, only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 7 8 through April 14 15 in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

6. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 17-25 18-26 and November 26 27 through January 13 14.

2. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25 and March 25 26 through April 21 22.

3. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 14 15 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 26-28, May 24-26 and June 21-23 (east of CR 471 only) 27-29.

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

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Wild hog-dog hunts shall begin at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the hunt and end at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the hunt.

7. Wild hog may be taken during wild hog-dog hunts at night by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no wild hog shall be shot until bayed by dogs. The hunting of wild hog by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

6. through 8. renumbered 8. through 10. No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 27-30, 28-31 and October 31 through November 4 1-5 and November 5-11 6-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 17-19 18-20.

3. General gun – January 13-16 15-18 and 18-22 19-23.

4. No change.

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

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

7. Small game – February 2 3 through March 3 4.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 3-4 4-5 and November 5 6 through December 30 31.

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

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

4. Archery – September 15-16 16-17 and September 17 18 through October 14 15.

5. No change.

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

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 26-28 27-29.

8. General gun-dog – December 6-9 7-10 and 27-30 28-31.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and US 441 only.

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

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, alligators as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C., frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season and general-gun dog season. Taking quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying east of the Florida Turnpike) except during quail season as established annually by order of the Executive Director, based on annual fall quail surveys. The daily bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per person. 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 general gun for mobility-impaired season, the bag limit for antlerless deer is one per certified mobility-impaired hunter and only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. Hunting equipment may be taken onto the area after 8 a.m. seven days prior to the opening of the season and shall be removed from the area by 6 p.m. seven days following the close of the season.

(e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

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

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

4. Small game – December 8 9-through January 6 7.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – November 30 through December 2 1-3 and January 11-13 12-14, 25-27 26-28 and February 22-24 23-25.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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

6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, March 28 29 through April 1 2 and April 11-14 12-15.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

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

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

4. Small game – November 22 23 through December 30 31.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-7 5-8 and 11-14 12-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-28 26-29 and November 1-4 2-5.

3. General gun – November 15-18 16-19 and 23-25 24-26.

4. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 11-17 12-18 and February 8-14 9-15.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

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

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

4. Small game – November 24-25 25-26, December 1-2 2-3, 8-9 9-10 and January 5-6 6-7.

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

6. Wild hog-dog – January 26-27 27-28 and January 28 29 through February 1 2.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During the spring turkey season only shotguns are allowed for the taking of turkey.

7. through 10. renumbered 6. through 9. No change.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – 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. General gun – November 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – December 1-2 2-3, 8-9 9-10 and January 5-6 6-7.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Only deer, and wild hog and coyote may be taken during the archery, general gun and muzzleloading gun seasons, except bear may be taken 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. 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. Only rabbit, gray squirrel, wild hog, coyote and bobwhite quail may be taken during the small game season. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, antlerless deer may be taken only by antlerless deer permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 2 1-3, December 7-9 8-10, January 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during 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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Taking wild hog during the last two weekends of the small game season is prohibited. Legal shooting hours for duck, light goose and coot: From the beginning of legal shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. Only one turkey may be taken per quota permit.

(c) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

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

3. General gun – November 10-12 11-13 and 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 16 1-17.

5. Wild hog-still – January 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.

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

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1.

2. Supervised small game – October 6-14 7-15.

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

4. General gun – November 7-11 11-14 and 14-18 15-19.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 22 23 through January 6 7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

8. Spring turkey – March 20-24 17-20 and 27-31 21-25.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the portion of the wildlife management area south of C.R. 310 and west of S.R. 19 and the portion of the wildlife management area east of S.R. 19 within the WMA boundary  area and shall check all game taken.

5. through 8. No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 10-13 11-14, 14-18 15-19 and 19-25 20-26.

4. Small game – November 26 27 through March 3 4.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, March 28-31 29 through April 1 and April 11-14 12-15.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 24 25 through December 9 10 and December 22 23 through January 6 7.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.

3. No change.

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

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

6. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

(b) through (e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-25 23-26 and September 26-30 27 through October 1.

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

3. General gun –December 1-4 2-5 and 5-9 6-10.

4. Small game – January 12-27 13-28 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 16-20 17-21 and March 23-27 24-28.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 19-21 20-22.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 25-27 26-28, February 1-3 2-4, 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 13-19 14-20 and October 27 28 through November 2 3.

3. Special-opportunity muzzleloading gun – November 15-18.

4. 3. Small game – November 24 25 through January 20 21.

5. 4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.

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

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, wild hog and antlerless deer (by antlerless deer permit only) during the special-opportunity deer and special–opportunity muzzleloading gun seasons season. One antlered deer may be taken per special-opportunity deer permit. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with four or more points is prohibited. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. All legal small game and furbearers may be taken during the small game season. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per special-opportunity spring turkey permit. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(c) Camping: Allowed only at designated campsites and only during periods open to hunting and scouting. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area beginning at 2 p.m. on the day before the first scout day for the season and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day following the close of the season. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity fall permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Friday (only if camping), Saturday, Sunday the weekend prior to the hunt, and the Friday immediately preceding the hunt and one day after the hunt and only from sunrise to sunset on those days. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity spring turkey permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Wednesday (only if camping), Thursday and Friday preceding the hunt and only from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area during these times. During special-opportunity deer, small game and wild hog-still seasons, vehicle access is only allowed from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., except vehicle access after 8:00 p.m. is also allowed by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites. One day prior to each small game and wild hog-still hunt, only individuals participating in the hunt are allowed vehicle access and only from sunrise to sunset. During special-opportunity spring turkey season, vehicle access is only allowed from 4:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., except vehicle access is also allowed by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites.

7. through 8. No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 8-11 9-12, 15-18 16-19 and 22-25 23-26.

4. Small game – November 26 27 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, 22-25 23-26 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28 29 through October 4 5, October 5-11 6-12 and 12-20 13-21.

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

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19, 23-25 24-26 and November 30 through December 2 1-3.

4. Small game – December 8-23 9-24.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, 21-24 22-25 and March 28-31 29 through April 1.

6. Youth turkey – March 9-10.

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

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Prohibited except as authorized by the Florida Forest Service.

(d) No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-24 22-25, April 2-5 3-6 and 18-21 19-22.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 20-23 21-24, October 2-5 3-6, 11-14 12-15, 23-26 24-27, November 1-4 2-5, 13-16 14-17, December 4-7 5-8 and 13-16 14-17.

3. Wild hog-still – January 11-13 12-14.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 25-27 26-28 and February 22-24 23-25.

5. Small game – February 1-3, 2-4 and 8-10 9-11 and March 1-3.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-23 22-24.

2. Supervised small game – October 13-19 14-20, November 17-23 18-24, December 15-21 16-22 and January 12-18 13-19.

3. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1 and October 6-12 7-13.

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

3. General gun – November 10-13 11-14 and 15-19 16-20.

4. Small game – December 1-16 2-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 21-25 22-26.

6. Wild hog-still – December 28 29 through January 27 28.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 27 28 through November 2 3.

2. Small game – December 8-23 9-24.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.

4. Wild hog-still – November 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19, 23-25 24-26; January 29-31 30 through February 1 and February 5-7 6-8.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. Small game – December 1-31 2-17.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per person, but not more than two per quota permit. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small samll game during the small game season.

3. through 4. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-23 21-24 and September 27-30 28 through October 1.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-28 26-29.

3. General gun – November 8-11 and 15-18 9-12.

4. Wild hog-still – November 17-19, December 7-9, 14-16 15-17 and January 11-13 12-14.

5. Small game – January 4-6 5-7, 18-20 19-21 and ,25-27 and February 1-3 and 8-10 26-28.

6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19 and 22-24 23-25.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 3 4 through January 13 14.

4. Small game – January 14 15 through March 3 4.

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

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 17-18 18-19. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 3 4 through December 30 31.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game, duck and coot seasons, and dogs may be used for small game during the small game season and wild hog hunting during the first 14 days of the small game season.

7. through 11. No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8 and November 17-25 18-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. General gun – December 6-9 and 13-16 7-10.

4. Wild hog-still – January 19-27 20-28.

5. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two antlered deer per quota permit. Only wild hogs may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Taking wildlife with rimfire or centerfire rifles or pistols is prohibited during the wild hog-still season.

10. renumbered 9. No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1 and October 1-7 2-8.

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

3. General gun – November 10-13 11-14 and 14-18 15-19.

4. Small game – December 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17; January 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14, 25-27 26-28; February 1-3 2-4, 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 17-20 18-21.

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-28 23-29, September 29 30 through October 7 8 and October 8-14 9-15.

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

3. Family hunt – November 10-11 11-12.

4. General gun – November 12-18 and 20-26 13-19.

5. Wild hog-still –December 1-7 2-8 and 8-16 9-17.

6. Small game – December 31 through January 22 8-23.

7. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, March 28-31 29 through April 1 and April 4-7 5-8.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Lake Monroe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Furbearers – During the zonal antlered deer season only except that bobcat and otter may be taken only after November    30December 1.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28 29 through October 4 5, October 5-11 6-12 and 12-20 13-21.

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

3. General gun – November 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and November 30 through December 2 1-3.

4. Small game – December 8-16 9-17 and January 5-11 6-12.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20, 22-25 23-26 and March 29 30 through April 1 2.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be two deer per quota permit, only one of which may be an one antlered and one antlerless deer, per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be two antlered deer per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per quota hunt permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 15-21 16-22, 22-28 23-29, September 29 30 through October 5 6, and October 6-12 7-13 and 13-21 14-22.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 2-4 3-5.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19, 23-25 24-26 and November 30 through December 2 1-3.

4. No change.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) 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 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 8-11-11, 7-1-12, 7-26-12, 7-1-13, 9-9-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17,            .

 

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 6, 2017

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