The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise shooting hours during spring turkey seasons on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.004General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise shooting hours during spring turkey seasons on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would extend shooting hours for all spring turkey seasons on WMAs from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset, unless otherwise provided by specific area regulation.

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, Sections 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, 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 20-21, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32606.

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: Morgan Richardson, 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-15.004 General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Legal to hunt:

(a) Wild turkey may not be taken during any fall season in which firearms may be used unless otherwise provided for a specific area. Notwithstanding provisions in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., wild turkey of either sex may be taken during muzzleloading and general gun seasons as specifically provided by area rule. During periods in which the taking of wild turkey is allowed, the daily bag limit for wild turkey shall be one per day unless otherwise provided by specific area regulation. The hours in which the hunting of gobblers or bearded turkeys is permitted during the spring season shall be from one-half hour before sunrise until 1:00 p.m., unless otherwise provided by specific area regulation.

(b) through (k) No change.

(5) through (16) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 379.354 FS. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 6-21-82, 6-9-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-15.04, Amended 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 4-13-88, 8-18-88, 4-19-90, 4-4-91, 4-14-92, 10-22-92, 7-26-94, 11-6-94, 3-30-95, 10-23-95, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 12-28-98, 4-15-99, Formerly 39-15.004, Amended 7-1-00, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-29-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 1-1-11, 5-2-12, 4-9-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-18, 7-1-19.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2019

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Morgan Richardson, 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 13, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 24, 2018