The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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-15.065Specific 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 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 Northeast Region as follows:

 

Charles H. Bronson WMA - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.

Little Big Econ WMA - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.

Richloam WMA - allow limited fishing (hook and line only) in designated areas at the fish hatchery.

Seminole Forest WMA - prohibit public access during the mobility-impaired hunts except for individuals participating in the hunts, their assistants and through-hikers on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Seminole Forest WMA - Lake Tracy Unit - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.

Silver Springs Forest WMA - establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (4,900 acres) in Marion County as follows: one 16-day archery hunt (20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); one 3-day muzzleloading gun season (20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), one 9-day general gun hunt (quota of 20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); a 2-day youth turkey hunt (5 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); two 4-day (Thurs – Sun) spring turkey hunts (5 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); a small game season from the last weekend in November through the first weekend in January (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, walk-in access only); each youth turkey quota permit holder may bring 1 additional non-hunting guest; fishing and frogging year round; allow the take of all legal game, wild turkey, fish, frogs and furbearers excluding bobcat and otter; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or a 10-inch main beam; hunting wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game birds) during the small game season; allow the take of wild hogs during the small game season; allow access year round from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset; and allow vehicles only on designated roads, only during quota hunts and only for individuals participating in the hunt (and their guests).

Three Lakes WMA - allow wild hog to be taken during small game season.

Three Lakes WMA - Prairie Lakes Unit – allow wild hog to be taken during small game 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 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: 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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General Gun – November 7-8 2-3 and November 9 4 through January 3 December 29.

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

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

4. Archery – September 19-20 14-15 and September 21 16 through October 18 13.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 14 9 through January 10 5 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 14-22 9 through 17 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 28 23 through December 6 1 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 7 2 through March 7 1 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 11 6 through March 7 1 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

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

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1, 25-27, in the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 14 9 through April 17 12.

8.No change.

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

10. Spring turkey – March 25-28 26-29, April 1-4 2-5, 8-11 9-12 and 15-18 16-19.

11. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 14 9 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 2 through April 17 12 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 11 6 through April 17 12, 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 11 6 through April 17 12 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 21-29 23 through December 1 and November 30 December 2 through January 17 19.

2. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29 and March 29 30 through April 25 26.

3. Archery – October 17 19 through November 15 17.

4. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year except on the fish hatchery.

5. Trapping – January 25 20 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 30 through May 2, May 1-3 and 28-30 29-31 and June 25-27 26-28 (east of CR 471 only).

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

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 31 through November 3 2-5, November 4-8 6-10 and 9-15 11-17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 23-25.

3. General gun – January 17-20 19-22 and 22-26 24-28.

4. Wild hog-still – January 28-30 30 through February 1.

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

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

7. Small game – January 31 through February 28. 1 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 7-8 2-3 and November 9 4 through January 3 December 29.

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

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

4. Archery – September 19-20 14-15 and September 21 16 through October 18 13.

5. No change.

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

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 30 through November 1 25-27.

8. General gun-dog – December 10-13 5-8 and December 31 through January 3 26-29.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 15-17 10-12, 22-24 17-19 and 29-31 24-26 (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 13-14 14-15.

(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) through (e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-29 and October 2-4 and 9-11 4-6.

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

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

4. Small game – December 12 7 through January 10 5.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – November 29 through December 4-6, 1 and January 15-17 and 10-12, 29-31 24-26 and February 26-28 21-23.

9. through 10. 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, antlerless deer may be taken by anterless deer permit only. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two antlered deer 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. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 1-5 2-6 and April 15-18 16-19.

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 14-22 9-17.

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

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

4. Small game – November 26 21 through January 3 December 29.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, and April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 8-11 3-6 and 15-18 10-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29 through November 1 24-27 and October 31 through November 5-8 3.

3. General gun – November 19-22 14-17 and 27-29 22-24.

4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, and April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 15-21 10-16 and February 12-18 7-13.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 9-11 4-6 and 16-18 11-13.

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

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

4. Small game – November 28-29 23-24, November 30 through December 1, December 5-6 and 12-13 7-8 and January 9-10 4-5.

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

6. Wild hog-dog – January 30 through February 5 25-31.

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Jumper Creek 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 7-15 2-10 and November 16 11 through January 3 December 29.

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

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.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-29 and October 2-4 and 9-11 4-6.

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

3. General gun – November 13-15 8-10 and 20-22 15-17.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 5-6 1, December 12-13 7-8 and January 9-10 4-5.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Archery – October 9-11 4-6 and 16-18 11-13.

4. Small game –November 29 through December 4-6 and 11-13 1, December 6-8, January 8-10 3-5, 15-17 10-12, 22-24 17-19 and 29-31 24-26.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 9-11 4-6 and 16-18 11-13.

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

3. General gun – November 14-16 9-11 and 20-22 15-17.

4. Small game – November 29 through December 4-20 15.

5. Wild hog-still – January 15-17 10-12, 22-24 17-19 and 29-31 24-26.

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

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 4  21-29.

2. Supervised small game – October 10-18 5-13.

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

4. General gun – November 11-15 6-10 and 18-22 13-17.

5. Small game – November 26 21 through January 10 5 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 13-14 14-15 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

7. Spring turkey – March 24-28 25-29 and March 31 through April 4 1-5.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 14-17 9-12, 18-22 13-17 and 23-29 18-24.

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

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and April 1-4 2-5 and 15-18 16-19.

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 28 23 through December 13 8 and December 26 21 through January 10 5.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24.

3. No change.

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

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

6. General gun – November 14-22 9-17.

(b) through (e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-29 21-24 and September 30 through October 4 25-29.

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

3. General gun – November 30 through December 5-8 3 and 9-13 4-8.

4. Small game – January 16-31 11-26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 20-24 21-25 and March 27-31 28 through April 1.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 23-25 18-20.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Public access during the mobility-impaired hunts is limited to only individuals participating in the hunts, their assistants and through-hikers on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 29-31 24-26, January 31 through February 5-7 2, 12-14 7-9 and 19-21 14-16.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 17-23 12-18 and October 31 26 through November 6 1.

3. Special-opportunity muzzleloading gun – November 19-22 14-17.

4. Small game – November 28 23 through January 24 19.

5. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and  17-23 18-24.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 12-15 7-10, 19-22 14-17 and 26-29 21-24.

4. Small game – November 30 25 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, 26-29 27-30 and April  2-4 3-5.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27 through October 2-8 3, October 9-15 4-10 and 16-24 11-19.

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

3. General gun – November 20-22 15-17, 27-29 22-24 and November 29 through December 4-6 1.

4. Small game – December 12-27 7-22.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, 25-28 26-29 and April 1-4 2-5.

6. Youth turkey – March 13-14 14-15.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. In addition, during the youth turkey hunt only individuals participating in a hunt and one non-hunting guest may access the area. Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. through 4. No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 25-28 26-29, April 6-9 7-10 and 22-25 23-26.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 24-27 19-22, October 6-9 1-4, 15-18 10-13, 27-30 22-25, October 31 through November 3, November 5-8 and 17-20 12-15, December 8-11 3-6 and 17-20 12-15.

3. Wild hog-still – January 15-17 10-12.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 29-31 24-26 and February 26-28 21-23.

5. Small game – January 31 through February 5-7 2, February 12-14 7-9 and February 28 through March 5-7 1.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-27 20-22.

2. Supervised small game – October 17-23 12-18, November 21-27 16-22, December 19-25 14-20 and January 16-22 11-17.

3. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 21-29 and October 10-16 5-11.

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

3. General gun – November 14-17 9-12 and 19-23 14-18.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 5-20 15.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 25-29 26-30.

6. Wild hog-still – December 27 through January 1-31 26.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 31 26 through November 6 1.

2. Small game – December 12-27 7-22.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24.

4. Wild hog-still – November 13-15 8-10, 20-22 15-17, 27-29 22-24; January 28-30 and February 2-4 and 9-11 4-6.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 14-22 9-17.

4. No change.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-27 19-22 and October 1-4 September 26-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29 through November 1 24-27.

3. General gun – November 12-15 7-10 and 19-22 14-17.

4. Wild hog-still – December 11-13 6-8, 18-20 13-15 and January 15-17 10-12.

5. Small game – January 8-10 3-5, 22-24 17-19, 29-31 24-26 and January 31 through February 2 and February 5-7 and 12-14 7-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and 26-28 27-29.

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

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and from the Monday prior to through one day prior to their scheduled hunts. In addition, during the youth turkey hunt only individuals participating in a hunt and one non-hunting guest may access the area. During small game and September duck seasons vehicle access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

4. through 6. No change.

(28) Upper St. Johns River Marsh 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.

3. General gun – November 7 2 through January 17 12.

4. Small game – January 18 13 through March 7 1.

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

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

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 21-22 16-17. 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 7 2 through January 3 December 29.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 21 through October 11 6 and November 21-29 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 26 through November 8 3.

3. General gun – December 10-13 5-8 and 17-20 12-15.

4. Wild hog-still – January 23-31 18-26.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 and 21-29 and September 30 through October 5-11 6.

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

3. General gun – November 14-17 9-12 and 18-22 13-17.

4. Small game – December 11-13 6-8, 18-20 13-15; January 8-10 3-5, 15-17 10-12, 29-31 24-26 and; January 31 through February 2, February 5-7, 12-14 7-9, 19-21 14-16, and 26-28 21-23.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 21-24 16-19.

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 2 21-27, September 28 through October 6 and October 3-11 and 12-18 7-13.

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

3. Family hunt – November 14-15 9-10.

4. General gun – November 16-22 11-17 and 24-30 19-25.

5. Wild hog-still – November 30 through December 5-11 6 and 12-20 7-15.

6. Small game – December 30 through January 4-26 21.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 1-4 2-5 and 8-11 9-12.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –September 27 through October 3, October 2-8, 9-15 4-10 and 16-24 11-19.

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

3. General gun – November 13-15 8-10, 20-22 15-17 and November 29 through December 4-6 1.

4. Small game – December 12-20 7-15 and January 9-15 4-10.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, 26-29 27-30 and April 2-5 3-6.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. In addition, during the youth turkey hunt only individuals participating in a hunt and one non-hunting guest may have vehicle access to the area. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. through 5. No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-25 14-20, September 26 through October 2 21-27, September 28 through October 4, and October 3-9, 10-16 5-11 and 17-25 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 6-8 1-3.

3. General gun – November 20-22 15-17, 27-29 22-24 and November 29 through December 4-6 1.

4. No change.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 through October 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 14-22.

4. Small game – Opening the Friday of the last weekend in November and closing the Sunday of the first weekend in January (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 13-14.

6. Spring turkey – March 25-28 and April 1-4.

7. Fishing and frogging – Allowed throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter are 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. 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. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per person, but not more than two per quota permit.

(c) Camping: Prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, youth turkey and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to and one day after each of these seasons. In addition, during the youth turkey hunt only individuals participating in a hunt and one non-hunting guest may have vehicle access in the area. During small game season motorized vehicles are prohibited except in designated parking areas. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on roads, firelines, and designated trails.

2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season.

4. Taking wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

5. Hunters shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances.

6. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.

7. Fires are prohibited.

 

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 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, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 8-19-19, 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