The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.061Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region as follows:

 

Chassahowitzka WMA – remove reference to Swamp Grade when describing dog hunt area, this road no longer exists; and allow wild turkey to be hunted in the Annuteliga Hammock (the area east of US Highway 19) during spring turkey season.

Green Swamp West WMA - change allowed vehicle access times on the day preceding special opportunity spring turkey season hunts (scout day) from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset to 1½ hours before sunrise until 3:00 p.m.

Everglades Headwaters WMA, Hatchineha Unit – allow 1 additional non-hunting guest on family and youth turkey hunts.

Hilochee WMA – expand small game season by 7 days (from 17 to 24 days) at the beginning of the season; and establish a 3-day general gun hunt opening the Saturday following the close of muzzleloading gun season (10 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions).

Hilochee WMA, Osprey Unit – establish a 3-day general gun hunt opening the Saturday following the close of muzzleloading gun season (10 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions).

Upper Hillsborough WMA - change the quota hunt for wild hog-dog from 20, no cost, quota permits (no exemptions) to 20, no-cost, daily quota permits available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season.

 

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Section 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes.

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

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 19-20, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee FL, 32301.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator, at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: George Warthen, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-15.061 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Southwest Region.

(1) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 5 7 through January 31 February 2.

2. Archery – October 30 November 1 through November 29 December 1, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only and Thanksgiving Day.

3. No change.

4. Wild hog-dog – October 1-4 3-6 and 8-11 10-13.

5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – October 9-11 11-13.

2. Wild hog-dog – October 21-23 23-25.

3. Special-opportunity archery – December 5-8 7-10 and 17-20 19-22.

4. Special-opportunity general gun – January 21-24 23-26, and February 1-4 3-6 and 10-13 12-15.

5. Special-opportunity turkey – March 20-23 21-24, March 29 30 through April 1 2, April 3-6 4-7, 12-15 13-16 and 17-20 18-21.

6. Small game – February 19-21 21-23 and February 26-28 28 through March 1.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Individuals in possession of a special-opportunity permit or quota permit shall have vehicle access to the area from sunrise to sunset on the day preceding the hunt, except special-opportunity spring turkey permit holders shall have vehicle access to the area 1 1/2 hours before sunrise until 3 p.m. 1 1/2 hours after sunset on the day preceding the hunt.

6. through 10. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 12-16 14-18.

2. Bird dog training – Bird dogs may be trained in the bird dog training area September 19 21 through February 14 16 and bird dogs may be trained in the remainder of the area during the small game season except the field trial and Boy Scout areas.

3. General gun – November 7-15 9-17.

4. Small game – November 16-29 18 through December 1 and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only December 2 4 through January 17 19.

5. Field trial quail – January 23-24 25-26.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 16-18 18-20.

2. General gun – October 31 through November 8 2-10.

3. Small game – November 11 13 through January 10 12 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

4. through 5. No Change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-dog – November 10-12 12-14.

2. Archery – December 5-6 7-8, 12-13 14-15, January 2-3 4-5 and 9-10 11-12.

3. Muzzleloading gun – January 16-17 18-19, 23-24 25-26, 30-31 and February 6-7 1-2 and 8-9.

4. Small game – February 13-14 15-16, 20-21 22-23 and 27-28 February 29 through March 1.

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

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 12. No change.

13. During the wild hog-dog season, a wild hog-dog daily quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest, as authorized by rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (3 total) to participate in the hunt.

(6) Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 12 through November 6 1.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 12-20 7-15.

3. Small game – January 9-10 4-5 and 30-31 25-26.

4. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and April 6-8 7-9.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 14  through October 18 13, Saturdays and Sundays only.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-25 19-20 and October 31 through November 1 26-27.

3. Wild hog-still – November 14 9 through December 13 8, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Small game – December 19 14 through January 24 19.

5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 18 19, Saturdays and Sundays only.

6. Youth turkey – March 13-14 14-15.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – September 18-20 13-15, 25-27  20-22 and January 15-17 10-12.

2. Archery – October 16-18 11-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 19-21 and 28-30 23-25.

4. General gun – November 7-9 2-4.

5. Small game – November 16-29 11-24 and January 25 20 through March 7 1.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – December 12-13 7-8.

7. No change.

8. Spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28 and April 15-17 16-18.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-4 September 28-29, 5-8, September 30 through October 3, October 9-11 4-6, 12-15 7-10 and 16-18 11-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 5 November 30 through December 6 1, December 7-10 2-5 and 11-13 6-8.

3. Wild hog-still – January 16-24 11-19.

4. Small game –February 6-14 1-9 and February 27 22 through March 7 1.

5. Spring turkey – March 30 31  through April 1 2.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29 and April 9-11 10-12.

3. Muzzleloading gun – February 19-21 21-23.

4. Wild hog-still – November 20-22 22-24, December 4-6 6-8, and 18-20 20-22.

5. Small game – December 25 through January 17 3-19.

6. Archery – February 12-14 14-16.

7. General Gun – February 27 through March 1.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

9.8. Raccoon – August 6 8 through September 27 29 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than by foot, bicycle, or horse is prohibited, except that motorized vehicles shall be allowed one day prior to the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still, and spring turkey hunts, and by individuals in possession of a valid fishing permit. Persons participating in the raccoon season may operate motorized vehicles from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunset on Sunday.

7. through 10. No change.

(11) Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-19 19-21 and 23-25 25-27.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 27-29 29 through December 1.

3. General gun – January 22-24 24-26 and February 5-7 7-9.

4. Small game – January 1-3 3-5 and 8-10 10-12.

5. Wild hog-still – December 11-13 13-15 and 25-27 27-29.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 20-21 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 14 through October 18 13 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 19 through November 6 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

3. General gun – November 7 2 through January 24 19 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

4. Small game – November 14 9 through March 7 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

7. Antlerless deer – November 21-27 23-29 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Wild hog (still and dog hunts) – In areas and during days specified specied by the Installation Commander or a designee.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Croom Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 19-21.

2. General gun – November 7-29 2-24.

3. Small game – November 30 25 through March 7 1.

4. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26, April 6-8  7-9 and 20-22 21-23.

5. Fox, raccoon and bobcat – December 17 12 through March 13 8. Hunting is allowed from 5:00 p.m. Thursday to sunrise Sunday with dogs only. Taking wildlife with guns is prohibited during this season.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19 14 through October 18 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 19-21.

3. General gun – November 7 2 through January 3 December 29.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 15-17  10-12 and 22-24 17-19.

5. through 6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29, April 9-11 10-12 and 23-25 24-26.

9. Raccoon – January 30 through February 4-28, 23 and April 30 through May 5-29 24 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs other than retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited west of the Main grade, on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service portion of the property. Hunting with dogs other than retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited in Zone C east of Swamp Grade, except during the wild hog-dog season. Dogs with a shoulder height greater than 17 inches are prohibited in that portion of the area lying east of the Main grade and Zone C west of the Swamp grade, except during the wild hog-dog and raccoon seasons when dogs are allowed east of Main Grade.

3. through 8. No change.

9. That portion of the area east of US Highway 19 shall be open for small game hunting and spring turkey season only.

10. through 13. No change.

(e) No change.

(15) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area – Osprey Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – November 13-15 15-17.

2. Wild hog-still – November 27-29 29 through December 1.

3. Wild hog-dog – December 11-13 13-15 and January 8-10 10-12.

4. Small game – January 11-31 13 through February 2.

5. Archery – February 12-14 14-16.

6. Muzzleloading gun – February 19-21 21-23.

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

8. Spring turkey – April 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

9. General gun – February 27 through March 1

9. renumbered 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Weekiwachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-22 12-17, November 14-19 9-14, December 12-17 7-12, January 16-21 11-16 and February 13-18 8-13.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – December 11-13 13-15, January 15-17 17-19, 29-31 January 31 through February 2 and February 12-14 14-16.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 26-28 27-29 and April 9-11 10-12.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(18) No change.

(19) Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Management Area – Hatchineha Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-23 19-25 and November 7-15 9-17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 27-29 29 through December 1.

3. Family hunt – December 25-27 27-29.

4. General gun – January 22-24 24-26 and 28-31 January 30 through February 2.

5. Small game – January 30 through February 25 February 1-27.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 25-28 26-29 and March 31 through April 4 April 1-5.

8. through 9. No change

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Public access is allowed year round except during quota hunts when only individuals authorized to participate participating in a hunt may access the area and during the family hunt and youth turkey hunt when one non-hunting guest per quota permit may also access the area.

3. through 8. No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2020

 

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 9-19-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 10-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 8-23-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 10-20-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.061, Amended 12-9-99, 3-30-00, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 5-13-02, 5-25-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17, 7-1-18, 8-9-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20.

 

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

 

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

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 11, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 9, 2019