The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to ....

 

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. 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 revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the North Central Region as follows:

Andrews WMA – convert the supervised youth hunt to a family hunt, allowing the take of one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit, and prohibit the supervising adult from taking wildlife with a gun (which includes archery equipment); shift the first wild hog-still hunt from the last weekend in April to the first weekend in February and shift the second wild hog-still hunt from the first weekend in May to the second weekend in February; shift the last small game hunt from the last weekend in January to the second weekend in December; establish a 3-day wild hog-still hunt (25 daily quota permits, first come first served issued at the check station) to open 3 days prior to the existing third small game hunt; and establish that when the check stations are staffed, hunters must check in and out when entering and leaving the area and check all harvested game.

Bayard WMA – change area name from Bayard Wildlife Management Area to J.P. Hall Bayard Point Wildlife Management Area; and shift the wild hog still quota hunt from the last weekend in February to the last weekend in May (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

Big Bend WMA, Hickory Mound Unit – allow the use of crossbows to take wildlife during the general gun season and small game season within Hickory Mound Impoundment; and shift the archery hunt to begin one week earlier.

Camp Blanding WMA – convert the supervised youth hunt to a family hunt, allowing the take of one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit, and prohibit the supervising adult from taking wildlife with a gun (which includes archery equipment); adjust the general gun hunts by excluding Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and shift each hunt one day forward.

Four Creeks WMA – allow hunting on Thursdays during the small game season; and prohibit camping.

Goethe WMA – shift the family hunt to occur 8 days prior to the opening of general gun still hunt and begin the muzzleloading gun hunt 7 days prior to accommodate the family hunt shift; and increase the general gun season from 10 days to 13 days, change the general gun season from three quota hunts (two 3-day, one 4-day) to one 7-day hunt and one 6-day hunt.

Gulf Hammock WMA – allow hunting equipment to be placed on the WMA the weekend prior to each hunt season and be removed the weekend following each hunting season.

Osceola WMA – prohibit the use of a light in the manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife from midnight to ½ hour before sunrise during general gun season; and prohibit the operation of all-terrain vehicles on mixed use trails from sunset to sunrise.

Twin Rivers WMA – extend the small game season by 28 days to close the last day of the statewide gray squirrel season; and establish that when the check stations are staffed, hunters must check in and out when entering and leaving the area and check all harvested game.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment also clarifies existing rules; removes unnecessary, redundant, or conflicting language; corrects prior mistakes; and makes non-substantive, technical corrections.

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.

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; Sections 379.1025, 379.2223, 375.313, 379.354, 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 21-22, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 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: Holli Nichols, North Central Region Public Hunting Areas Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, North Central Region Office, 3377 E U.S. Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

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. General gun still – Opening the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 57 55 days thereafter (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas), only in the following areas:

a. through b. No change.

2. through 6. No change.

7. Family hunt Supervised youth – The Saturday and Sunday prior to Columbus Day, and the Saturday and Sunday 12 and 13 days (respectively) after Columbus Day, site to be determined by the Camp Blanding Post Commander.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. Turkeys of either sex may be taken during the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons, the last two days of each of the two general gun still quota periods, the first two days of the non-quota period of the general gun still season and the last three days of each general gun dog hunt. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the family supervised youth hunts, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or antlerless deer per quota permit youth. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for taking turkey during the spring turkey season.

8. Taking wildlife with centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited during the archery season.

9. No change.

10. During the family supervised youth hunt, only persons under 16 years of age but not younger than eight years of age, and under the supervision and in the presence of an adult, not younger than 18 years of age as provided in Section 790.22, F.S., may take wildlife with a gunhunt.

11. through 17. No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No Change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Public access is allowed only when hunting is allowed, on the consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to each hunting seasonarchery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey seasons. and on the consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to the archery and general gun seasons, and on the consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following the last day of each hunting season.

3. through 9. No change.

10. Hunting equipment shall be allowed on the area beginning 8 days prior to each hunting season and must be removed by the Sunday following the close of each hunting season.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

3. through 6. No change.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated, named or numbered roads and mixed-use roads, except all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads. Operation of all-terrain vehicles on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads is prohibited from sunset to sunrise.

5. through 7. No change.

8. During general gun season, the use of a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) until one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited, except hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed.

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

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 9 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 9 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Small game – Opening 9 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

3. No change.

4. Archery – Opening 42 35 days prior to the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 29 days thereafter.

5. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Taking wildlife with centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns within the Hickory Mound Impoundment is allowed only during days when waterfowl and coot hunting is allowed and only for taking migratory game birds.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, crossbows, or bows and arrows are allowed for taking wildlife in the Hickory Mound Impoundment.

8. through 13. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 9 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 9 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Only bows, muzzleloading rifles, muzzleloading handguns, and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for taking wildlife.

6. through 7. No change.

(13) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 20 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 12 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 19 33 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 5 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, and reopening 12 days later and closing 2 9 days thereafter (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

5. through 6. No change.

7. Family Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – Opening 14 days prior to the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 8 days thereafter (Saturdays and Sundays only).

8. Wild hog-still – Opening 59 12 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 29 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, and reopening 5 days later and closing 2 days thereafter. the last day of spring turkey season and closing 9 days thereafter (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the family hunt, only wild hog and furbearers may be taken. During the family supervised deer-hog youth hunt, only antlered deer, antlerless deer by antlerless deer permit only, nonprotected birds, and wild hog may be taken. Wild hog may not be taken during the small game season. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods when the check station is staffed, hunters shall obtain a zone tag when they check in at the check station and nNo person shall hunt in any zone other than that to which he or she is assigned by zone tag, except during wild hog-still season. Zone tags shall not be transferred. Hunters shall keep the zone tag in their possession. Zone tags shall be returned to the check station before exiting the area. Zone tags may be reserved for the next day.

2. During periods when the check station is staffed, hHunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area, and shall check all game taken.

3. through 4. No change.

5. During the family supervised deer/hog youth hunts, only persons under sixteen years of age but not younger than eight years of age, and under the supervision and in the presence of an adult no younger than 18 years of age as provided in Section 790.22, F.S., may take wildlife with a gun hunt.

6. through 9. No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Small game – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

4. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Small game – Opening on Thanksgiving Day and closing the first Sunday in March continuing for 73 days thereafter..

6. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods when the check station is staffed. hHunters shall check in and out at the check station during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and family hunt and report all game taken.

2. During periods when the check station is staffed During archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons, no person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which he or she has a zone tag during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons.

3. During periods when the check station is staffed, hHunters 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 11. No change.

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

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

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

7. No change.

(18) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area. 

(a) Open season: 

1. No change.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – Opening 6 days after the first day of spring turkey season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.,  and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 19 days later and closing 2 days thereafter. 

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Muzzleloading gun – Opening 15 8 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter.

3. General gun (still hunt) – Opening the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 5 2 days thereafter, reopening 1 day later and closing 6 2 days thereafter, reopening 1 day later and closing 3 days later.

4. No change.

5. Family hunt – Opening 8 56 days prior to after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 1 days thereafter.

6. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. That portion of the area south of County Road 326 and adjacent to the east side of County Road 337 shall be open only for taking doves as established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C. Only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for taking wildlife on this portion of the area.

10. through 12. No change.

(21) through (22) No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Small game – Opening 90 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 12 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, and reopening 2 days prior to the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter.

6. No change. 

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) through (26) No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

4. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except on Sundays.

2. through 3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) J.P. Hall Bayard Point Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Wild hog-still – Opening 33 days after the last day of the Zone C spring turkey antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns may be used for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season.

11. No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) through (34) No change.

(35) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of archery season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

4. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Northern bobwhite may be released and taken by centerfire or muzzleloading shotgun during the small game season provided each individual or group participating possesses a daily permit and proof (including the name and address of the vendor and date of purchase) that the northern bobwhite were purchased within the past 90 days from a game farm licensed by the Commission or another state.

9. No change.

(36) No change.

(37) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Small game – Opening 27 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 51 days thereafter (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. through 10. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Prohibited, except Allowed throughout the year only at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

(d) No change.

(38) No change.

(39) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Small game – Opening 27 days after the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 16 days thereafter, reopening 19 days later and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season as established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(40) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024 

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 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, 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, 7-1-21, 7-1-22, 7-1-23, 7-1-24.

 

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 5, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 14, 2023.