The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish ....

 

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 regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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 amendment would revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the Northeast Region as follows:

Bull Creek/Herky Huffman WMA – remove the requirement for non-hunting recreational users to check in and out on the area.

Caravelle Ranch WMA – allow only youth under 16 years of age but not younger than eight years of age to take wildlife with a gun during the family hunt.

Dunns Creek WMA – establish a 15-day small game season for 5 consecutive weekends (Friday – Sunday) ending the last Sunday in January (no quota, walk-in access only); centerfire rifles prohibited for taking wildlife; wild hog legal to take; the use of dogs prohibited for the take of wild hog; and shift the dates for the wild hog quota hunt to the month of May to accommodate the new small game season.

Guana River WMA – prohibit public access to the uplands portion of the WMA during established quota hunts, except for quota permit holders, hunting guests, and exempt hunters in response to feedback from staff and the public regarding crowding on the area.

Ocala WMA – establish in rule that nighttime hunting of fox, coyote and bobcat (when it coincides with the statewide bobcat season) with dogs is allowed in the Pipeline Unit only during the general gun season, and in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of State Road 40 and west of State Road 19 only during the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat season.

Richloam WMA, Baird Unit – require all users to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; and add a scout day between the 2nd and 3rd archery hunts.

Seminole Forest WMA – clarify the area specific bag limit for turkey from “daily limit of 1” to “2 per quota permit, daily limit of 1 per person”.

Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – clarify the area specific bag limit for turkey from “daily limit of 1” to “2 per quota permit, daily limit of 1 per person”.

Silver Springs Forest WMA – add a family hunt and modify the formats and dates of other hunts (except small game season and wild hog quota hunts).

Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lakes Unit – remove the quota permit requirement for the area’s 4 wild hog-still hunts (weekend hunts) to increase participation in hog hunting on the area.

Triple N Ranch WMA – require all users to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; allow the take of wild hog during the 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.

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: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

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: . 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: Andrea Boliek Walker, Northeast Region Public Hunting Areas Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Northeast Regional Office, 1239 SW 10th Street, Ocala, Florida 34471, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

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. 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

3. No change.

4. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 1 day thereafter and reopening 1 day later and closing 27 days thereafter.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunters shall enter and exit at a designated entrance, check in and out at a check station and check all game taken. Persons hunting and entering via the designated non-motorized entrances on Crabgrass Road shall have a daily permit issued from the check station in their possession (except during the small game and raccoon seasons). Persons engaging in recreational activities other than hunting shall enter and exit at a designated entrance and register at the check station upon entering and exiting the area, except persons hiking through on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

2. through 7. No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening the day after the last day of the general gun still season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. (Church Lake Unit only) and opening the day after the last day of the general gun season and closing the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C, F.A.C. (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

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

6. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – Opening 7 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., through March 1, 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, opening the day after the first Sunday in March and closing 41 days therafter only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox, coyote, and bobcat (when it coincides with the statewide bobcat season) shall be allowed 24 hours a day and by the use of dogs only during the general gun season in the Pipeline Unit only and shall be allowed from the day after the last day of the general gun season and closing 97 days thereafter only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) through (e) No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Small Game – Opening the day after the last day of the general gun season through the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 35 days prior to the first day of Zone B antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 3 days thereafter, reopening 2 days 1 day later and closing 4 days thereafter, and reopening 2 days 1 day later and closing 6 days thereafter.

2. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Persons shall only enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.

(5) Three Lakes 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

3. through 12. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(6) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) through (10) No change.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 29 days thereafter therafter.

2. 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. During days designated for scouting, vehicle Vehicle access for scouting is allowed only one day prior to each 3-day hunt during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey hunts from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. During the hunts, vehicle access is only allowed from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and until 8:00 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. During the quota hunts (archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey), vehicle access is only allowed by individuals authorized to participate in the hunt, except access is allowed to Lake Ponte Vedra from the east side (when open to public access) or for parking at Guana Dam. Waterfowl scouting is allowed on Lake Ponte Vedra from 5:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the Saturday prior to the opening of each phase of the duck, light goose and coot season established in Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

2. through 11. No change.

12. Public access is allowed year round, except during quota hunts (archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey), when only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt may access the uplands portion of the area (except public access is still allowed for the Guana Dam and Lake Ponte Vedra).

13 12. During periods when the upland portion is closed to hunting or scouting, public access to the upland portion is restricted to non-motorized only from the Guana Dam and the Roscoe Boulevard Extension entrances only. During periods when the upland portion is open to hunting or scouting, public access to the upland portion is restricted to entering and exiting through the Guana Dam entrance only and only individuals authorized to participate in a hunt may enter during the area’s quota hunts.

13. through 17. renumbered 14. through 18. No change.

(e) No change.

(14) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During the family 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 gun.

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

9 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. Release of northern bobwhite is limited to that portion of the area bounded by Loop road.

(16) Lake George 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the general gun for mobility impaired season and the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the Central BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), fish, except as provided below, frogs and furbearers (except otter and bobcat). One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the archery season, two turkeys of either sex may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one per person per day. During spring turkey season, two gobbler or bearded turkeys may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per day. 

1. through 2. No change.

(c) through (d) No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) No change.

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

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Persons shall only enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.

(20) through (21) No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening 69 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 5 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, and reopening 2 days prior to the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited during the special-opportunity archery hunts.

8. through 10. No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited.

6. No change.

(24) through (26) No change.

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

(a) 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. The bag limit for deer shall be two per quota permit. During the archery season, two turkeys of either sex may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one per person per day. During spring turkey season, two gobbler or bearded turkeys may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per day. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog is legal to take.

(c) through (d) No change.

(28) Upper St. Johns River Marsh 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 established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

5. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. During the duck, geese and coot season in the Stick Marsh/Farm 13, Kenansville Lake, and as posted in the Blue Cypress Water Management Area, taking wildlife with guns other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited.

5. through 12. No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Wild hog-still – Opening 8 days prior to the last Sunday in May and closing 8 days thereafter. 77 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 8 days thereafter.

5. Small game - Opening 30 days prior to the last Sunday in January and closing 30 days thereafter (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

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

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Motorized vehicle Vehicular access is allowed only to those individuals authorized to hunt and only on hunt days and the weekend and day before all hunts, except spring turkey season, when vehicle access shall be allowed only on hunt days and the day before each hunt and small game season, when access shall be walk-in only (no motorized vehicle access).

8. No change.

9. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 9. No change.

10. Northern bobwhite may be released and taken by centerfire and 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.

(31) No change.

(32) Lake Monroe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Non-migratory game – Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except that open season for rabbit and gray squirrel will open the first Saturday in November and run through the first Sunday in March close of zonal squirrel season only, antlered deer season will open the first Saturday in November and close 57 days thereafter and there shall be no crossbow season.

2. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Small game – Opening the second Saturday in November through the first Sunday in March last day of gray squirrel season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C, that does not coincide with the established area general gun season dates.

5. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Opening 43 days prior to the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 16 days thereafter (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).  Opening 42 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 15 days thereafter.

2. Muzzleloading gun – 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 2 days thereafter. Opening 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. Family hunt – Opening the first day of the Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 1 day thereafter.

4. 3. General gun – Opening 6 days after the first day of the 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. Opening 7 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 8 days thereafter.

4. through 5. renumbered 5. through 6. No change.

7.  6. Spring turkey – Opening the first day of the spring turkey season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 2 days thereafter, reopening 4 days later and closing 2 days thereafter, and reopening 5 days later and closing 2 days thereafter. Opening 5 days after the first day of spring turkey season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 3 days thereafter and reopening 4 days later and closing 3 days thereafter.

7. through 8. Renumbered 8. Through 9. No change

(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 muzzleboading gun, family hunt 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) No change.

(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, family, 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-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. through 8. 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 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, 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.