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 ...

 

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 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 amendments 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:

 

Bayard WMA – allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest; and allow the youth turkey non-hunting guest to camp in Area 3 with the youth turkey quota permit holder.

Big Shoals WMA – allow the use of dogs to hunt small game during small game season.

Camp Blanding WMA – change the general gun dog hunt from two 9-day hunts (320 no-cost quota permits each hunt, exemptions allowed) to one 10-day and one 11-day hunt (200 no-cost quota permits, exemptions allowed); during the wild hog-dog season allow hunting only from 1½ hours after sunset until 1½ hours before sunrise, and shift the January wild hog-dog season hunt to occur following the close of zonal deer season; and allow scouting the day before each youth spring turkey hunt.

Gulf Hammock WMA – allow nighttime raccoon hunting with the use of dogs during small game season.

Hatchet Creek WMA – allow each family and youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.

Holton Creek WMA – move the last (December) general gun mobility-impaired hunt to the 3rd weekend in November.

Mallory Swamp WMA – remove the shoulder height requirement for hunting dogs.

Raiford WMA – allow access year-round for fishing through designated entrances.

Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit – allow each family and youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.

Troy Springs WMA – establish a spring turkey season with three 3-day hunts (no quota permit required, Friday-Sunday).

Twin Rivers WMA – remove the zone tag requirement during the family hunt.

 

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

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

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

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

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

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. General gun dog – Opening the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 2 eight days thereafter, and opening the day after Thanksgiving and continuing for 6 days thereafter; and opening the day after Saturday before Christmas (or Christmas Day when it occurs on a Saturday) and continuing for 10 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. Wild hog-dog – Opening 5 days after the last day of Zone C antlered deer season as specified by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. the Saturday before the third Monday of January and continuing for 2 days thereafter, and opening the Saturday before the third Monday of February and continuing for 2 days thereafter. Only in the dog hunt area.

4. through 5. No change.

6. Archery – September 29 through October 1 24-26 and October 6-8 1-3, only in the still hunt and archery-only areas; and October 13-15 8-10, 20-22 15-17, 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 13-15 8-10 and 20-22 15-17, only in the still hunt areas.

9. No change.

10. Trapping – December 1 through January 10 5, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. During periods open to hunting, hunters 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 only be taken onto the area beginning 8 a.m. the day preceding each supervised youth and youth spring turkey hunt and shall be removed from the area the last day of each supervised youth and youth spring turkey season hunt.

3. through 15. No change.

16. During the wild hog-dog season, hunting is allowed only from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29.

3. Archery – September 26 21 through October 11 6.

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

5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening November 7 9 and closing concurrently with the gray squirrel season established in rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 7 2 through January 24 19.

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

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

4. Archery – September 19 14 through October 23 18.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – October 24 19 through November 6 1.

6. Small game – January 25 20 through March 7 1.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Public access to the area is allowed only at designated entrances. Public access is prohibited, except during periods open to hunting from when hunting is allowed is limited to entering the area no earlier than one hour before legal shooting hours until and exiting the area no later than one hour after legal shooting hours, except during small game season in the dog hunt area when hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed.

4. through 7. No change.

8. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during small game season, except hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed only in the dog hunt area and any dog may be used to take small game.

9. No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 7-20 2-15, November 21 16 through December 6 1 and December 7 through January 3 2-29.

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

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

4. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

6. No change.

7. Small game – January 4 December 30 through March 7 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 14 9 through January 10 5.

2. Small game – January 11 6 through March 7 1.

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

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

5. Archery – September 26 21 through October 18 13.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-31 19-26 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 14 9 through March 7 1 in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 11 6 through March 1.

11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from November 1-10 October 27 through November 5, 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 7 2 through January 3 December 29.

2. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

4. Small game – November 14 9 through March 7 1.

5. through 6. No change.

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

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

9. Trapping – January 11 6 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 7-15 2-10 and November 16 11 through January 3 December 29.

2. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

4. Small game – November 16 11 through March 7 1.

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

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

7. Trapping – January 11 6 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 7-15 2-10, 16-22 11-17 and November 23 18 through January 3 December 29.

2. Small game – November 16 11 through March 7 1.

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

4. Archery – October 3 September 28 through November 1 October 27.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 11 6 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

2. General gun – November 7-15 2-10 and November 16 11 through January 3 December 29.

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

4. Small game – November 16 11 through March 7 1.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 11 6 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

3. General gun – November 7-15 2-10 and 16-29 11-24.

4. Small game – November 16 11 through March 7 1.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29, March 29 30 through April 4 5 and April 5-11 6-12.

7. Trapping – January 9 4 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 11 6.

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

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 7-15 2-10, Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and December 26-29 21-24.

4. Wild hog-still – January 2-5 December 28-31.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29 and April 8-11 9-12.

7. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year During periods in which hunting is allowed.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunters shall enter and exit that portion of the WMA that is east of County Road 125 and south of the New River via Shack Road gate or 267th Street. Persons accessing the area for fishing shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances.

3. through 6. No change.

7. Public access is allowed throughout the year from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset for fishing and during periods open to hunting, the weekend prior to each hunting period and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day preceding and the day following archery, muzzleloading gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and wild hog-still season hunts. Public access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset on the day preceding spring turkey season hunts. Public access is prohibited at all other times. No person shall enter the area during quota hunts except those hunters possessing Raiford quota permits for the appropriate season and those hunters exempt from quota permit requirements pursuant to rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 7-15 2-10.

2. Archery – September 26 21 through October 11 6.

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

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22 and October 2-4 September 27-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 6-8 1-3 and 13-15 8-10.

3. General gun – November 20-22 15-17.

4. Small game – November 27-29 22-24, January 1-3, December 27-29 and January 8-10 3-5, 22-24 17-19 and 29-31 24-26.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29 and April 16-18 17-19.

7. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 24-25 19-20 and October 31 through November 1 26-27.

8. Wild hog-still – April 30 through May 2 1-3 and May 7-9 8-10.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28 through October 3 23-28, October 5-10 September 30 through October 5 and October 12-17 7-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27 and November 6-8 1-3.

3. Small game – November 14 9 through March 7 1.

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except dogs may be used to hunt small game during small game season.

4. No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 2 21-27 and October 3-11 September 28 through October 6.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. General gun – November 9-15 4-10 and 16-22 11-17.

5. No change.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29 and April 16-18 17-19.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. During archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and family hunt, no person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which he or she has a zone tag.

3. Hunters shall obtain a zone tag when they check in at the check station, except during the family hunt and small game season, and keep it in their possession while hunting on the area.

4. through 10. No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-29 21-24, September 30 through October 3 25-28, October 4-7 September 29 through October 2 and October 8-11 3-6.

2. Supervised small game – October 17-25 12-20, 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 30 through November 1 25-27.

4. Bird dog training – November 23 18 through December 20 15 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 9-12 4-7, 13-16 8-11, 17-20 12-15 and 21-24 16-19.

6. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

7. Small game – January 8 3 through February 7 2, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog-still – February 12-14 7-9, 19-21 14-16, May 7-9 1-3, 21-23 15-17 and June 4-6 29-31.

9. No change.

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

11. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 23-25 24-26 and 26-28 27-29.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 16-18 11-13, October 30 through November 1 25-27, November 6-8 1-3 and 20-22 December 13-15.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29 and April 16-18 17-19.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 18 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 7-9 2-4, 10-12 5-7 and 13-16 8-11.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 20-22 15-17, 23-26 18-21 and 27-30 22-25.

5. Family hunt – January 2-3 December 28-29.

6. Small game – January 9 4 through February 7 2.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-26 21-27, March 27 28 through April 4 5 and April 5-11 6-12.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 11-13 6-8 and January 1-3 27-29.

2. Small game – January 4 December 30 through February 28 23.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 4-6 November 29 through December 1 and December 18-20 13-15.

4. Archery – November 7-15 2-10, 16-22 11-17 and 23-29 18-24.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 23-26 24-27, April 6-9 7-10 and 20-23 21-24.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-6 September 28 through October 1 and October 9-13 4-8.

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

3. General gun – November 7-10 2-5 and 13-17 8-12.

4. Small game – November 20-22 15-17, 27-29 22-24 and December 18-20 13-15.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 26-30 27-31.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 26-30 27-31.

2. Archery – October 8-11 3-6 and 14-18 9-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

4. Wild hog-dog – November 20-22 15-17.

5. Small game – February 5-7 January 31 through February 2, February 19-21 14-16 and March 5-7 February 28 through March 1.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 15-18 10-13, October 29 through November 1 24-27 and October 31 through November 5-8 3.

2. Small game – November 13 8 through December 6 1, December 26 21 through January 17 12 and February 6-28 1-23.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 20-26 21-27 and April 3-9 4-10.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-22 14-17, 23-27 18-22 and September 28 through October 2 23-27.

2. Family hunt – October 10-11 5-6 and 17-18 12-13.

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

4. General gun – November 7-10 2-5 and 11-15 6-10.

5. Small game – November 16 11 through January 17 12.

6. Wild hog-still – January 18 13 through February 14 9.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 1 19-27 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 14 9 through January 10 5.

4. Small game – January 11 6 through February 21 16.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 22 17 through March 14 8, and opening the last Friday First in April and closing 2 days thereafter and reopening the fourth Friday in June and closing 2 days thereafter.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 4 5 and April 10-25 11-26.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 11 6 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Dogs with a shoulder height of more than 17 inches are prohibited, in the dog area, during the general gun season. Taking wildlife with dogs other than bird dogs, during the general gun season, is prohibited in the still hunt area, which are those portions of the area lying west of Crapps Tower Grade and north of L.A. Bennett Grade, that portion of the area lying west of Crapps Tower Grade and south of Deserter’s Hammock Road, and that portion of the area lying south and east of McCall’s Chapel Grade and east of East Mainline.

2. through 10. No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 7 through December 3 2-28 and November 29 through December 4 through January 3 29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 1 19-27.

3. Small game – January 4 December 30 through March 7 1.

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

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

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

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-28 21-23, October 3-5 28-30 and October 10-12 5-7.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. Small game – November 14 9 through March 7 1.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and April 2-4 3-5.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 14 9 through March 7 1, except on Sundays.

2. Spring turkey – March 26-28 and April 9-11 and 23-25.

2. renumbered 3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 11 6 and November 14-22 9-17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 1 19-27.

3. No change.

4. Wild hog-still – February 26-28 21-23.

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

6. through 8. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Only tent camping is allowed and only at designated campsites. Camping is allowed year-round in Area 1 and in Area 3, except that during periods open to hunting, only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt quota permit holders and their hunting guests may camp in Area 3 and during the youth turkey hunt when one non-hunting guest per quota permit may also camp in Area 3.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Public access is allowed year round except during quota hunts when only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt may access Areas 2, 3 and 4 and during the youth turkey hunt when one non-hunting guest per quota permit may also access Areas 2, 3 and 4 During hunting periods, public access in Areas 2, 3 and 4 is restricted to those individuals with valid quota permits and their hunting guests.

6. through 10. No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 19 through November 6 1.

3. General gun – November 7 2 through January 10 5.

4. Small game – January 11 6 through March 7 1.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 10 5.

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

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

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 25 20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

3. General gun – November 7-15 2-10, November 16 through December 4 11-29 and January 11-24 6-19.

4. Small game – December 5 November 30 through January 10 5.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 5-7, January 31 through February 2, February 19-21 14-16, 26-28 21-23 and opening the last Friday in April and closing 2 days thereafter and reopening the fourth Friday in June and closing 2 days thereafter.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, 24-28 25-29 and March 29 30 through April 11 12.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22, October 2-4 27-29 and October 9-11 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 19-21 and October 30 through November 1 25-27.

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. General gun – November 13-15 8-10, 20-22 15-17 and 27-29 22-24.

5. Small game – December 4 November 29 through January 24 19 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 29 through February 2 24-28 and February 19-23 14-18.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 21-29 16-24.

2. Archery – September 19-27 14-22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 1 19-27.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 10-13 5-8.

5. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

6. Small game – December 14-27 9-22 and January 30 25 through February 7 2.

7. No change.

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

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 10-25 5-20 and October 28 through November 2-15 10.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

3. Small game – November 16 11 through March 7 1.

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

5. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(36) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22, October 2-4 27-29 and October 9-11 4-6.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3 and 21-22 16-17.

4. General gun – November 12-15 7-10 and 25-29 20-24.

5. Small game – December 4 November 29 through January 24 19 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22, October 2-4 27-29 and October 9-11 4-6.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. General gun – November 13-15 8-10, 20-22 15-17 and 27-29 22-24.

5. Small game – December 4 November 29 through January 24 19 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 12-16 7-11.

7. No change.

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

9. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(38) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22, October 2-4 27-29 and October 9-11 4-6.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. General gun – November 13-15 8-10 and 27-29 22-24.

5. Small game – December 19 14 through January 17 12.

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Public access is allowed year round except during quota hunts when only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt may access the area and during the family and youth turkey hunts when one non-hunting guest per quota permit may also access the area 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 19 14 through October 18 13 and November 6-15 1-10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24 through November 1 19-27, November 20-29 15-24 and December 25 through January 3 20-29 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – December 4 November 29 through December 20 15 and January 8 3 through March 7 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Wild hog-still – May 1-9 2-10.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-28 21-23, October 5-7 September 30 through October 2 and October 12-14 7-9.

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

3. Family hunt – November 7-8 2-3.

4. General gun – November 20-22 15-17 and 27-29 22-24.

5. Small game –December 19 14 through January 17 12.

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 5-7 6-8.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Public access is allowed year round except during quota hunts when only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt may access the area and during the family and youth turkey hunts when one non-hunting guest per quota permit may also access the area During periods open to hunting, other than the small game season and the family and youth turkey hunts, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits and their hunting guests as identified in rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.

7. No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2020

 

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, 9-1-17, 7-1-18, 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