The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific 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 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 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 revises regulations on WMAs in the Northeast Region. Specifically, the rule amendment establishes hunts or modifies existing hunting opportunities at Bull Creek/Herky Huffman, Caravelle Ranch, and Triple N Ranch WMAs; increases public access at Dunns Creek WMA; and expands camping opportunities for special opportunity hunters at Triple N Ranch WMA. This 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.

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: 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, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Marriott Jacksonville, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256.

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: 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. through 6. No change.

7. Raccoon – Opening the Friday 76 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 30 days thereafter (every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only) (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

7. renumbered 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 season). 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 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season; and any dog may be used to hunt raccoon during the raccoon season. During other seasons, only bird dogs are allowed for taking small game. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

6. During the raccoon season, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed.

6. renumbered 7. No change.

(2) through (4) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – Opening the Friday 69 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 30 16 days thereafter (every other Friday, Saturday and Sunday Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only) (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. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(6) through (7) No change.

(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – Trapping is prohibited.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (d) No change.

(10) through (14) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Family hunt – Opening 29 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 (Friday - Sunday) in the South Unit only.

3.2. Supervised small game – Opening 25 28 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 5 8 days thereafter.

3. through 8. renumbered 4. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During the archery, family, 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. The take of dove is prohibited south of Rodeheaver Road and east of State Road 19, except on posted dove fields.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Vehicular access is prohibited except from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to archery, family, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey hunts. Vehicular access is also allowed during the archery, family, muzzleloading gun, general gun, supervised small game and small game seasons from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time; and during the spring turkey season from 4:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset. Public access other than on foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian), or by bicycle is prohibited at all other times.

6. All legal methods of take for game may be used for hunting deer during the established family hunt.

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

(16) through (18) No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Special-opportunity deer – Opening 35 21 days prior to the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 6 days thereafter and reopening 8 days later and closing 6 days thereafter.

3. Special-opportunity muzzleloading gun – Opening 2 days prior to 12 days after the first day of Zone C antlered deer season established by Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 3 days thereafter.

4. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – Prohibited.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Allowed only at designated campsites and only from 8:00 am the day before scout days, during periods open to hunting and scouting and throughout the year at designated campsites on the Florida National Scenic Trail for persons hiking through on the Florida National Scenic Trail. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area beginning at 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. on the day before the first scout day for the season and shall be removed from the area before 6:00 p.m. one day following the close of the season. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity hunting fall permit and that are camping in the designated area may have vehicle access to the area starting at 8:00 a.m. the day before a scout day but only to and from the designated campground area. Individuals in posession of a valid special-opportunity deer quota permit may have vehicle access on the Friday (only if camping), Saturday and, Sunday scout days 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 quota 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 vehicle access is allowed 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) through (21) No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Trapping – Prohibited.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) through (25) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

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

(27) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – Prohibited.

8. through 9. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Trapping – Prohibited.

7. renumbered 6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. During hunting periods, public access is restricted to those individuals authorized to hunt.

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

7.8. 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.

9. renumbered 8. No change.

(30) through (35) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023

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, 7-1-21, 7-1-22, 7-1-23.

 

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: November 30, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 08, 2022.