68A-15.063: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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 Northwest Region as follows:
Apalachicola WMA, Bradwell Unit establish three 3-day family hunts (quota of 5 per hunt, no exemptions, in December, January and February) with a bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit; and move a week of small game hunting from December to November.
Econfina Creek WMA allow raccoon hunting at night during the raccoon season without a quota permit in the dog hunt and still hunt areas (excluding the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek and Fitzhugh Carter areas); clarify that vehicles are allowed to be operated only on named or numbered roads throughout the year; and prohibit the take of bobcat and otter in the Fitzhugh Carter area.
Joe Budd WMA prohibit the take of antlerless deer during the last two archery hunts (total of five 3-day hunts).
Lafayette Creek WMA - allow persons to through-hike on the Florida National Scenic Trail year round.
Pine Log WMA extend the archery and spring turkey seasons by seven days each (16 to 23 days each, no quota permit required).
Proposed rule amendments would also amend or clarify language related to the use of guns for taking wildlife. Additionally, the proposed rule amendments would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections and language standardization.
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 375.313 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, February 8-9, 2012, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute, 215 Academy Drive, Havana, FL 32333
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 (850)488-6411. 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: Diane R. Eggeman, 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-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas Northwest Region.
(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through February 10 12 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B, except hunting is allowed the Friday after Thanksgiving).
2. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
3. No change.
4. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
5. through 7. No change.
8. Quail (Zone A) December 18 20 through January 27 29 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).
9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
(b) through (d) No change.
(2) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open seasons:
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
2. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
3. No change.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
6. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
7. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
8. Muzzleloading gun and archery January 31 through February 10 2-12.
9. No change.
10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat October 1 through March 3 4 in that portion of the area in Liberty County lying west of State Road 65 (except in that portion of the area lying north and east of the Florida River and Larkins Slough) and in that portion in Leon County and Wakulla County south of State Road 267 bounded on the east by Forest Roads 313, F.H. 13 and 356, on the south by Forest Roads 349 and 357, on the west by Forest Roads 348 and F.H. 13, 309, 314 and 344.
11. Trapping January 31 February 2 through March 1.
12. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 22-25 24-27 and from December 8-19 10-21. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of Oak Ridge Road, east of State Road 61 and U.S. Highway 319, south of State Road 263 and west of State Road 363) except by quail permit during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Bird dogs may be trained from June 1 through March 3 4, except on the quail enhancement area where bird dogs may be trained November 1 through December 31. Deer dogs may be trained from October 27 29 through November 15 17 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.
2. No change.
3. Taking wildlife by use of a gun on or from rights-of-way of County Road 67, 260, 299, 368, 375; State Road 267, 67, 375, 65, 299, 368, 369, 260, 373, 263, 379, 12; U.S. Highway 319; or that portion of County Road 22 east of the Ochlockonee River is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.
4. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs and retrievers, is prohibited in that portion of the area lying west and south of County State Road 375 and east of the Ochlockonee River; also those lands lying north and east of the Florida River and Larkins Slough.
5. Taking deer is prohibited on or from the rights-of-way of County State Road 375 and 50 yards outward from the rights-of-way.
6. No change.
7. Guns being transported to and from the shooting range shall be unloaded and cased.
8. through 9. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(3) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area Bradwell Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8-12 10-14.
2. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
4. Family hunt December 22-24, January 18-20 and February 1-3.
5.4. Small game November 10-18 12-13 and December 29 24 through January 6 8.
6.5. Spring turkey March 16-17 and 29-31 17-18 and March 30 through April 1.
7.6. Wild hog-dog July 6-8 1-3, August 3-5 5-7 and September 7-9, 2012 2-4, 2011, and May 3-5 4-6 and June 7-9, 2013 1-3, 2012.
8.7. Wild hog-still July 20-22 15-17, August 17-19 19-21 and September 21-23, 2012 16-18, 2011, and May 17-19 18-20 and June 21-23, 2013 15-17, 2012.
8. through 9. renumbered 9. through 10. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit except that during the family hunt, the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. During the wild hog seasons, only wild hog may be taken.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a bayed hog. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
(4) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open seasons in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of State Road Highway 4, except for the field trial area, and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, except for the dog hunt area).
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 15 17 through February 6 8.
2. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the still hunt area north of State Road Highway 4 and east of County Road Highway 191) December 8-9 10-11.
3. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 14 16 and February 7 9 through March 3 4.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
6. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
7. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
8. Muzzleloading gun and archery February 14-24 16-26.
9. through 13. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area north of State Road 4 and west of Three Notch Road, east of Mason West Road, and north of Camp Henderson Road; and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, west of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road, and east of Belandville Road; and that portion of the area north of Forest Road R47 Break Fork Fire Line, north of Eadie Cotton Road and Peaden Bridge Road, west of Sherman Kennedy Road, south of Mattie Kennedy Road and Kennedy Bridge Road, west of Bullard Church Road, and east of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road):
1. General gun dog November 22-25 24-27, December 15-30 17 through January 1 and January 14 16 through February 6 8.
2. General gun still December 31 through January 13 2-15.
3. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the dog hunt area north of State Road Highway 4 and east of County Road Highway 191) December 8-9 10-11.
4. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 14 16 and February 7 9 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
8. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
9. Muzzleloading gun and archery February 14-24 16-26.
10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat May 1 through March 3 4, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of Belandville Road.
11. through 14. No change.
(c) Open seasons in the field trial area (which includes that portion of the area bounded by Coldwater Creek on the northwest, the western boundary of Blackwater State Forest to the west and south, County State Road 191 on the southeast, and on a line running west 3/4 mile from the intersection of County State Road 191 and Coldwater Horse Trail Forest Road 64 (Spanish Trail), then north one mile and then three miles west to Coldwater Creek at a point 1/2 mile northeast of the Coldwater Recreation Area):
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun and archery January 18-20 20-22.
3. through 5. No change.
6. Quail February 4-5, 6-7, 18-19 and 20-21 6-7, 8-9, 20-21 and 22-23.
7. No change.
(d) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the muzzleloading gun and archery season on the field trial portion of the area any deer (daily bag limit one) except spotted fawns may be taken. During the family still hunt, any deer (bag limit of three per quota permit) may be taken except spotted fawns. Taking quail is prohibited on the field trial area and the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of Bryant Bridge Road, east of Sandy Forest Road, east of County Road 191 between Sandy Forest Road and State Road Highway 4, south of State Road Highway 4 and west of Old Martin Road and Norman Riley Road) except by quail permit during the quail seasons. The bag limit for quail on the field trial area is 12 per hunting group each day. A group for the purpose of quail hunting on the field trial area shall include up to 2 persons. Taking quail after 3 p.m. Central Time is prohibited during the quail season on the field trial area. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per quota permit. During the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat season, rabbit may be chased by the use of free-running dogs but may not be harvested except as allowed during other open seasons.
(e) No change.
(f) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. The take of wildlife with a discharge of any gun within 300 yards of a public campsite is prohibited.
5. Taking of wildlife by use of a gun on, upon or from rights-of-way of State Road 4, 191, and 189 and 2; US Highway 90; County Road 2, Highway 180 and 191; Beaver Creek Highway; Bryant Bridge, Norman Riley, Sandy Forest, and Pleasant Home, Bob Pitts, Deaton Bridge, Indian Ford, Red Rock, Shockley Springs, State Line, Sherman Kennedy, Hurricane Lake, Belandville and Sellersville roads; paved portions of Camp Lowery Road; roads, and Carpenter Road from County Road 191 to Juniper Creek; Forest Road 31, 47, 25, 86, 23, 72, 48, 6 and the paved portions of Forest Roads 57, 2 and 9 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.
6. The use of airboats, tracked vehicles or all-terrain vehicles on the area is prohibited, except by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
7. through 9. No change.
(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area Hutton Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20-23 and 24-28 22-25 and 26-30.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. Quail November 10-11, 17-18, 21-22 12-13, 19-20, 23-24, December 10-11, 15-16, 24-25 and 29-30 12-13, 17-18, 26-27 and December 31 through January 1.
4. General gun January 12-15 and 16-20 14-17 and 18-22.
5. Mobility-impaired general gun January 25-27 27-29 and February 1-3 3-5.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey March 16-18, 29-31 17-19, March 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
8. Wild hog-dog July 20-22 15-17, August 17-19 19-21 and September 21-23, 2012 16-18, 2011, and May 17-19 18-20 and June 21-23, 2013 15-17, 2012.
9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 7. No change.
8. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a bayed hog. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area Carr Unit.
(a) Open season: Special-opportunity released quail November 10-16, 17-23, 24-30 12-18, 19-25, November 26 through December 2, December 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28 3-9, 10-16, 17-23, 24-30, December 29 31 through January 4 6, January 5-11, 12-18, 19-25 7-13, 14-20, 21-27, January 26 28 through February 1 3, February 2-8, 9-15, 16-22 4-10, 11-17, 18-24 and February 23 25 through March 1 2.
(b) through (d) No change.
(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery December 7 9 through January 6 8 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 11-27 13-29 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Small game October 6 1 through December 2 4 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, turkey of either sex, fish, frogs and furbearers. During small game season, dove (Saturdays only, during phases established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.), quail and squirrel may be taken. Antlerless deer is any deer, except a spotted fawn, that is without antlers or whose antlers are less than one inch in length visible above the hairline. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the last two 3-day hunts of archery season, the take of antlerless deer is prohibited. During the youth turkey hunt, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except at the High Bluff campground by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(8) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
2. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
3. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
4. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
5. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
6. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(9) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 23-25 25-27 and December 8-30 10 through January 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Small game January 4 6 through March 3 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(10) Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery and muzzleloading gun November 23-25 25-27 and December 8-30 10 through January 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Small game January 4 6 through March 3 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(11) Tates Hell Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
2. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
3. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
4. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
5. Muzzleloading gun and archery January 31 through February 10 2-12.
6. through 7. No change.
8. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
9. through 11. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 27 29 through November 15 17.
2. No change.
3. Vehicles may be operated only on designated roads. Off-Highway Vehicles (all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles) are prohibited except by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry. Airboats and tracked vehicles are prohibited.
4. No change.
5. Taking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County State Road 67 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.
6. No change.
(12) Tates Hell Wildlife Management Area Womack Creek Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20-28 22-30.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9, December 17-23 19-23 and January 6-30 6 through February 1.
4. General gun still November 22-25 24-27 and December 8-16 10-18.
5. through 6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
8. Spring turkey March 16-19, 28-31 17-20, March 29 through April 1 and April 4-7 5-8.
9. through 10. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Taking wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County State Road 67 and Jeff Sanders Road from Rock Landing Road south 1/2 mile to SFR 174 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.
(13) Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 3 5 through December 30 January 1, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. November 3-9, 10-16 and 17-25 5-11, 12-18, and 19-27 in the Pinhook still hunt area.
2. Small game December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
3. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
4. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
5. Archery September 15 17 through October 14 16, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. September 15-23 17-25 and October 6-14 8-16 in the Pinhook still hunt area.
6. Muzzleloading gun October 20-22 22-24.
7. Family hunt October 27-28 29-30, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.
8. Wild hog-still December 15-30 17 through January 1, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.
9. through 11. No change.
12. Trapping December 31 January 2 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(14) Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Muzzleloading gun October 20 22 through November 2 4.
2. General gun November 3 5 through January 20 22.
3. Small game January 21 23 through March 3 4.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
6. Archery September 15 17 through October 14 16.
7. through 9. No change.
10. Trapping January 21 23 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(15) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 11 6.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27, January 19-22 and 23-27 21-24 and 25-29.
4. Small game December 4-31 6-31.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 7 1.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(16) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 21 23 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-7 3-9 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27, December 8 10 through February 17 19 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
4. Archery and muzzleloading gun February 18-24 20-26 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
5. Small game November 10 12 through March 3 4 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
6. No change.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.
8. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
9. through 11. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(17) Escambia River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
2. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
4. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
5. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
8. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited on Parker and Morgan Islands (except in accordance with paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., when hunting raccoon) and in that portion of the area north of State Road 184 in Santa Rosa County, and north of Cedartown Road and Daffin Road in Escambia County, except that dogs may be used on Parker and Morgan islands at night to take raccoon.
3. through 4. No change.
5. Hunting raccoon as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed. Raccoon may be taken by the use of firearms from only during November 1 through March 1 only.
(18) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 21 23 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-7 3-9.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through February 17 19 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
4. Supervised youth October 20 22 through December 31 (only in areas and during days designated by the Installation Commander).
5. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.
6. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
7. Small game November 10 12 through March 3 4 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
8. through 9. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(19) Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1 except Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island.
4. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12. Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through February 10 12.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 only in that portion of the area south of the pipeline right-of-way located up river (north) of Cedar Log Landing (Walton County) and Billy Lee Landing (Washington County). March 16-18 and 29-31 17-19 and March 30 through April 1 in that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way.
8. through 9. No change.
10. Trapping December 1 through March 1 in still hunt areas and January 31 February 2 through March 1 in dog hunt areas.
(b) through (d) No change.
(20) Chipola River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open seasons, except in the Altha Tract:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 1.
4. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 2 through March 3 4.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 5-6 and 12-13 7-8 and 14-15.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
8. through 10. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the Altha Tract:
1. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
2. Family hunt November 22-25 24-27.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
4. Small game January 5 7 through March 3 4 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Spring turkey March 16-18, 29-31 17-19, March 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
6. through 7. No change.
(c) through (e) No change.
(21) Yellow River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open seasons except in the Grassy Point and Burnt Grocery Creek areas:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
4. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
6. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of Weaver River):
1. General gun November 22-25 24-27, January 19-22 and 23-27 21-24 and 25-29.
2. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
4. Spring turkey March 16-18, 29-31 17-19, March 30 through April 1, April 5-7 and 19-21 6-8 and 20-22.
5. Small game November 10-18 12-20.
6. No change.
(c) Open seasons in the Burnt Grocery Creek area (the area west of Burnt Grocery Creek and north of Bernice Road and Old Fisher Mill Road):
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20, November 22-25 24-27, and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. Small game November 10-18 12-20.
4. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey March 16-18, 29-31 17-19, March 30 through April 1, April 5-7 and 19-21 6-8 and 20-22.
7. through 8. No change.
(d) through (f) No change.
(22) Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek and Fitzhugh Carter areas.
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27 and December 8 10 through January 30 February 1.
4. Small game November 10-21 12-23, November 26 28 through December 7 9 and January 31 February 2 through March 3 4.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
6. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22.
8. Raccoon November 10 12 through March 8 9 and April 22 23 through July 31.
9. through 10. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the mobility-impaired hunt area (area south of County Road 388):
1. General gun November 23-25 25-27, January 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 and January 30 through February 1 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and February 1-3.
2. Spring turkey March 16-17, 22-24, 29-31 17-18, 23-25, March 30 through April 1, April 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22.
3. No change.
(c) Open seasons in the Cat Creek (area south of State Road 20 and north of County Road 388) and Fitzhugh Carter (area west of State Road 77) areas:
1. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. General gun November 22-25 24-27, January 19-22 and 23-27 21-24 and 25-29.
4. Small game December 8-23 10-25.
5. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey March 16-18, 29-31 17-19, March 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
7. through 8. No change.
(d) Legal to Take: All legal game, fish (except as provided below), frogs and furbearers. Taking bobcat and otter is prohibited in the Fitzhugh Carter area. During the youth turkey hunt, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. In the mobility-impaired hunt area, antlerless deer (bag limit of two per three-day hunt) may be taken during general gun hunts only by persons possessing valid mobility-impaired certificates.
(e) No change.
(f) General regulations:
1. During periods open to hunting, Vvehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads except in the mobility-impaired hunt area. During periods open to hunting in the mobility-impaired hunt area, vehicles are not restricted to named or numbered roads but may be operated only by persons authorized to participate in the hunt possessing a mobility-impaired quota permit or their guests. During periods closed to hunting, vehicular access is prohibited on Dog Roads 1-8, 10, 13-17, 19, 20-28 and 33-37, Enfinger Road and on numbered roads in the mobility-impaired area.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in those portions of the area that are west of State Road 77; south of State Road 20; east of Econfina Creek; east of Ten-mile Creek; west of Econfina Road and south of Greenhead Road; and north of Deadening Duma Jack Road, except that dogs may be used in that portion of the area in Jackson County and to take raccoons (except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek and Fitzhugh Carter areas hunt area).
3. through 6. No change.
7. During the raccoon season, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed and quota permits are not required from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise.
8. through 11. No change.
(23) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
2. Small game November 10-18 12-20.
3. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
4. General gun November 22-25 24-27, January 3-6, 10-13 and 17-20 5-8, 12-15 and 19-22.
5. Wild hog-still December 8-14 10-16.
6. Wild hog-dog July 13-15 8-10, August 10-12 12-14 and September 14-16, 2012 9-11, 2011, and May 10-12 11-13 and June 14-16, 2013 8-10, 2012.
7. Spring turkey March 16-19, 28-31 17-20, March 29 through April 1 and April 11-14 12-15.
8. through 9. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 11. No change.
12. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a bayed hog. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
(24) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20-26 22-28 and October 27 29 through November 4 6.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. Family hunt November 22-25 24-27.
4. General gun January 19-22 and 23-27 21-24 and January 25-29.
5. Small game December 7 9 through January 13 15 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
7. through 9. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, family hunt, general gun and spring turkey seasons, access to the area shall be restricted to individuals authorized to participate in the quota hunt and persons hiking through on the Florida Trail.
3. through 4. No change.
5. All persons entering or exiting the area may do so only at a designated entrance, except through hikers may enter via the Florida Trail.
6. No change.
(25) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 13 15 through November 11 13 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Archery and muzzleloading gun November 23-25 25-27, December 7-9, 21-23 9-11, 23-25, January 4-6 and 18-20 6-8 and 20-22.
3. Small game January 21 23 through February 17 19.
4. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
5. Spring turkey March 16 17 through April 21 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Allowed only at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 6. No change.
7. The take of wildlife with Discharge of a firearm on or from the right-of-way of Chattin Road within 1/4 mile of the intersection with McBride Slough Road is prohibited.
(26) Perdido River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery October 20 22 through November 18 20.
2. Muzzleloading gun December 1-3 3-5.
3. Family hunt November 22-25 24-27 and January 4-6 6-8.
4. General gun January 12-18 and 19-27 14-20 and January 21-29.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun January 31 through February 10 2-12.
6. Small game December 4 6 through January 2 4.
7. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
8. Spring turkey March 16-24 17-25 and March 25 26 through April 7 8.
9. through 11. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(27) Juniper Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Family hunt November 23-25 25-27, December 24-26, December 31 through January 2, January 18-20 20-22 and February 1-3 3-5.
2. Youth turkey hunt March 9-10 10-11.
(b) through (d) No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 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, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 11-14-11, 7-1-12.
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.W.
