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 – restrict vehicular access during scouting days and hunting seasons to 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset.

Lake George WMA, Dexter Mary Farms Unit – during special-opportunity spring turkey hunts, legal shooting hours for turkey hunting shall remain ½ hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.

Lake Panasoffkee WMA – during special-opportunity spring turkey hunts, legal shooting hours for turkey hunting shall remain ½ hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.

Little Big Econ WMA – restrict vehicular access during scouting days and hunting seasons to 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset.

Matanzas WMA – remove the area specific rule requiring that vehicles must be parked at designated parking areas or parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road; restrict public access during non-hunting periods from sunrise to sunset, during hunting seasons from 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset; and allow vehicular access only during scouting days and hunting seasons or by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

Seminole Ranch WMA – remove all the quota and daily permit requirements for the wild hog-dog hunt.

Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit – restrict public access during non-hunting periods from sunrise to sunset and during hunting seasons from 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset.

Tosohatchee WMA – allow public access from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during spring turkey season to accommodate the expansion of spring turkey shooting hours (1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset).

Triple N Ranch WMA – allow vehicle access for all area users on scouting days for small game season and wild hog-still season (these are not special-opportunity hunts).

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, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, Sections 379.2223, 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 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.

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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-3 3-4 and November 4 5 through December 29 30.

2. Small game – December 30 31 through March 1 3.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 16 through April 26 21.

4. Archery – September 14-15 15-16 and September 16 17 through October 13 14.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

7. No Change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 9 10 through January 5 6 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 9 10 through 17 18 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 23 24 through December 1 2 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 2 3 through March 1 3 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 6 7 through March 1 3 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

5. Archery – September 21 22 through October 20 21.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28, in the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 9 10 through April 12 14.

8. No change.

9. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

10. Spring turkey – March 26-29, 21-24, March 28-31, April 2-5, 9-12 4-7 and 16-19 11-14.

11. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 9 10 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 4 through April 12 14 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 6 7 through April 12 14, 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 6 7 through April 12 14 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 23 through December 1 17-25 and December 2 November 26 through January 19 13.

2. Spring turkey – March 21-29 16-24 and March 30 25 through April 26 21.

3. Archery – October 19 13 through November 17 11.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 20 14 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 26-28, May 1-3 and 29-31 24-26 and June 26-28 21-23 (east of CR 471 only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 27-30, October 31 through November 4 and November 2-5, 6-10 and 11-17 5-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 23-25 17-19.

3. General gun – January 19-22 13-16 and 24-28 18-22.

4. Wild hog-still – January 30 through February 1 24-26.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18, 27-29 22-24 and April 3-5 29-31.

7. Small game – February 1 2 through March 1 3.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 2-3 3-4 and November 4 5 through December 29 30.

2. Small game – December 30 31 through March 1 3.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 16 through April 26 21.

4. Archery – September 14-15 15-16 and September 16 17 through October 13 14.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 25-27 26-28.

8. General gun-dog – December 5-8 6-9 and 26-29 27-30.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27 (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 14-15 9-10.

(b) through (e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18 and 22-24 23-25.

4. Small game – December 7 8 through January 5 6.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 16-18, 29-31 and April 3-5 and 17-19 12-14.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – November 29 30 through December 1 2 and January 10-12 11-13, 24-26 25-27 and February 21-23 22-24.

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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. 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 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 29 30.

2. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

4. Small game – December 30 31 through March 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24, 16-19, March 28 through April 1 and April 2-6 and 16-19 11-14.

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 9-17 10-18.

2. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. Small game – November 21 22 through December 29 30.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 16-18, March 29-31 and April 3-5 and 17-19 12-14.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During non-hunting periods, public access is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. During hunting periods, public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset. At all other times, public access is allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 3-6 4-7 and 10-13 11-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-27 25-28 and October 31 through November 3 1-4.

3. General gun – November 14-17 15-18 and 22-24 23-25.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 16-18, 29-31 and April 3-5 and 17-19 12-14.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 10-16 11-17 and February 7-13 8-14.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Public access during periods closed to hunting shall be from 8:00 a.m. to sunset unless camping at designated campsites. Public access during periods open to hunting shall be from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time and from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time, except during the spring turkey hunts, when public access is allowed from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

2. through 7. No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28 and November 1-3 2-4.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game – November 23-24 24-25, November 30 through December 1 1-2, December 7-8 8-9 and January 4-5 5-6.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18, 27-29 22-24 and April 3-5 29-31.

6. Wild hog-dog – January 25-31 26-27 and January 28 through February 1.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that dogs may be used during the wild hog-dog season, and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than 3 free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed.

6. through 7. No change.

8. During the wild hog-dog season, a quota permit allows a hunting group of two persons and a guest as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (three individuals total) to participate in the hunt and a daily quota permit allows three hunters to participate in the hunt.

8. renumbered 9. No change.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22.

3. General gun – November 2-10 3-11 and November 11 12 through December 29 30.

4. Small game – December 30 31 through March 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 16 through April 26 21.

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 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22 and 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 1 1-2, December 7-8 8-9 and January 4-5 5-6.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 15-17 16-18 and 22-24 23-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22 and 25-27 26-28.

3. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

4. Small game –November 29 30 through December 1 2, December 6-8 7-9, January 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18, 27-29 22-24 and April 3-5 29-31.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter 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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Legal shooting hours for duck, light goose and coot: From the beginning of legal shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. Only one turkey may be taken per quota permit.

(c) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 9-11 10-12 and 15-17 16-18.

4. Small game –November 29 30 through December 15 16.

5. Wild hog-still – January 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18, 27-29 22-24 and April 3-5 29-31.

8. 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 antlered deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking 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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30.

2. Supervised small game – October 5-13 6-14.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

4. General gun – November 6-10 7-11 and 13-17 14-18.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 21 22 through January 5 6 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

8. Spring turkey – March 25-29 20-24 and April 1-5 27-31.

9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. 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 spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per quota permit. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The take of dove is prohibited south of Rodeheaver Road and east of State Road 19, except on the special-opportunity dove fields by persons in possession of current and valid special-opportunity dove permits.

(c) through (d) No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28 and November 1-3 2-4.

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13, 13-17 14-18 and 18-24 19-25.

4. Small game – November 25 26 through March 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24, 16-19, 28-31 and April 2-5 and 16-19 11-14.

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 23 24 through December 8 9 and December 21 22 through January 5 6.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27, 16-22, March 30 through April 5 and April 4-10 and 18-24 13-19.

3. No change.

4. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

6. General gun – November 9-17 10-18.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers.

1. 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. Turkey may be taken only during special-opportunity spring turkey hunts and only from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per spring turkey special-opportunity permit.

2. No change.

(c) through (e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-24 22-25 and 25-29 26-30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 30 through December 3 1-4 and 4-8 5-9.

4. Small game – January 11-26 12-27 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 21-25 16-20 and March 28 through April 1 23-27.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 18-20 19-21.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 24-26 25-27, January 31 through February 2 1-3, 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 12-18 13-19 and October 26 27 through November 1 2.

3. Special-opportunity muzzleloading gun – November 14-17 15-18.

4. Small game – November 23 24 through January 19 20.

5. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 16-22, March 30 through April 5 and April 4-10 and 18-24 13-19.

6. through 7. 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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity fall permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Friday (only if camping), Saturday, Sunday the weekend prior to the hunt, the Friday immediately preceding the hunt and one day after the hunt and only from sunrise to sunset on those days. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity spring turkey permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Wednesday (only if camping), Thursday and Friday preceding the hunt and only from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area during these times. During special-opportunity deer, small game and wild hog-still seasons, vehicle access is only allowed from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., except vehicle access after 8:00 p.m. is also allowed by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites. One day prior to each small game and wild hog-still hunt, motor only individuals participating in the hunt are allowed vehicle access is allowed and only from sunrise to sunset. During special-opportunity spring turkey season, vehicle access is only allowed from 4:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., except vehicle access is also allowed by hunters camping, but only to directly access campsites.

7. through 8. No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-21 20-22 and 25-27 October 26-28.

3. General gun – November 7-10 8-11, 14-17 15-18 and 21-24 22-25.

4. Small game – November 25 26 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19, 27-30 22-25 and April 3-5 29-31.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27 28 through October 3 4, October 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. Small game – December 7-22 8-23.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19, 26-29 21-24 and April 2-5 28-31.

6. Youth turkey – March 14-15 9-10.

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. 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 26-29 21-24, April 7-10 2-5 and 23-26 18-21.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 19-22 20-23, October 1-4 2-5, 10-13 11-14, 22-25 23-26, October 31 through November 3 1-4, November 12-15 13-16, December 3-6 4-7 and 12-15 13-16.

3. Wild hog-still – January 10-12 11-13.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 24-26 25-27 and February 21-23 22-24.

5. Small game – January 31 through February 2 1-3, February 7-9 8-10 and February 28 through March 1 1-3.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Turkey may be taken only during the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts and only from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. One gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per special-opportunity spring turkey permit. One antlered deer may be taken per special-opportunity deer permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking of 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 and wild hog-dog seasons. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23.

2. Supervised small game – October 12-18 13-19, November 16-22 17-23, December 14-20 15-21 and January 11-17 12-18.

3. Spring turkey – March 27-29 22-24.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30 and October 5-11 6-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 14-18 15-19.

4. Small game –  November 30 through December 15 1-16.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19 and 26-30 21-25.

6. Wild hog-still – December 27 28 through January 26 27.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 26 27 through November 1 2.

2. Small game – December 7-22 8-23.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 16-22, March 30 through April 4-10 5 and 18-24 April 13-19.

4. Wild hog-still – November 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25; January 28-30 29-31 and February 4-6 5-7.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 9-17 10-18.

4. Small game – December 1-31.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19 and 25-29 20-24.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-22 20-23 and September 26-29 27-30.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-27 25-28.

3. General gun – November 7-10 8-11 and 14-17 15-18.

4. Wild hog-still – December 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16 and January 10-12 11-13.

5. Small game – January 3-5 4-6, 17-19 18-20, 24-26 25-27 and January 31 through February 2 1-3 and February 7-9 8-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18 and 27-29 22-24.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 14 15 through October 13 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-27 20-28.

3. General gun – November 2 3 through January 12 13.

4. Small game – January 13 14 through March 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 16 through April 26 21.

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 16-17 17-18. 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 2 3 through December 29 30.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21 22 through October 6 7 and November 16-24 17-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26 27 through November 3 4.

3. General gun – December 5-8 6-9 and 12-15 13-16.

4. Wild hog-still – January 18-26 19-27.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 16-18, March 29-31 and April 3-5 and 17-19 12-14.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-29 22-30 and September 30 through October 6 1-7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28.

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 13-17 14-18.

4. Small game – December 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16; January 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13, 24-26 25-27; January 31 through February 2 1-3, February 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17, 21-23 22-24.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 16-19 17-20.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19 and 25-29 20-24.

7. 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, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler (or bearded turkey) may be taken per quota permit. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(c) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-27 22-28, September 28 29 through October 6 7 and October 7-13 8-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28 and November 1-3 2-4.

3. Family hunt – November 9-10 10-11.

4. General gun – November 11-17 12-18 and 19-25 20-26.

5. Wild hog-still –November 30 through December 6 1-7 and 7-15 8-16.

6. Small game – December 30 31 through January 21 22.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-24, 16-19, 28-31 and April 2-5 and 9-12 4-7.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. During non-hunting periods, public access is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. During hunting periods, public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset. Vehicular access is only allowed during scouting and hunting seasons and by permit from the Florida Forest Service Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads and must be parked at designated parking areas or parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

3. through 4. No change.

(32) Lake Monroe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Furbearers – During the zonal antlered deer season only except that bobcat and otter may be taken only after December 1 November 30.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery –September 27 28 through October 3 4, October 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-27 26-28 and November 1-3 2-4.

3. General gun – November 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. Small game – December 7-15 8-16 and January 4-10 5-11.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 9-10.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 16-19, 27-30 22-25 and March 29 through April 3-6 1.

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. 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 14-20 15-21, 21-27 22-28, September 28 29 through October 4 5, and October 5-11 6-12 and 12-20 13-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 1-3 2-4.

3. General gun – November 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25 and November 29 30 through December 1 2.

4. No change.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 16-18, 27-29 22-24 and April 3-5 29-31.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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.

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