The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.062Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central 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 amendments would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:

Andrews WMA – increase the quota for family hunts from 20 to 30 (no exemptions).

Big Bend WMA, Jena Unit – prohibit the use of vehicles on Road 2 from May 1 until two days before the opening of archery season.

Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – allow the use of horses year round.

Big Bend WMA, Tide Swamp Unit – remove the requirement for persons to enter and exit the area through a designated check station.

Cypress Creek WMA – expand small game season from 16 to 55 days.

Flying Eagle WMA – allow the harvest of otter.

Goethe WMA – establish a 2-day family hunt (quota of 75, no exemptions); allow the harvest of all legal game, wild hog, fish, frogs and furbearers during the family hunt; allow a bag limit for deer of one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt; prohibit the use of dogs for hunting during the family hunt; expand small game season from 23 to 30 days; and allow the harvest of raccoon and opossum at night during small game season by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization for access from the Florida Forest Service.

Gulf Hammock WMA – change muzzleloading gun season to archery/muzzleloading gun season; establish a 30-day small game season; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season.

Jennings Forest WMA – allow the harvest of bobcat and otter.

Little River WMA – establish a 2-day youth spring turkey hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions) and two 3-day spring turkey hunts (quota of 5, no exemptions); and allow a bag limit during spring turkey season of one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

Mallory Swamp WMA – expand wild hog-dog season from 3 to 16 days; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog in the still hunt area.

Potts WMA – allow the harvest of bobcat and otter.

Ralph E. Simmons Memorial WMA – prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise; and remove the requirement to park vehicles at designated parking areas.

Steinhatchee Springs WMA – expand small game season from 30 to 37 days; begin small game season 21 days earlier; and expand wild hog-dog season from two to three 3-day quota hunts (quota of 55, no exemptions).

Twin Rivers WMA – establish a 2-day family hunt (quota of 15, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit; expand general gun season from one 4-day hunt and one 7-day hunt to two 7-day hunts; and begin general gun season two days later.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendments 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.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; 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 12-13, 2014, 8:30 a.m. − 5:00 p.m., each day

PLACE: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Tampa Airport – Westshore, 4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607

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: 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Archery – September 23-25 24-26 and September 30 through October 2 1-3, only in the still hunt areas; and the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 days thereafter in the archery-only area, which is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery-only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.

6. No change.

7. Muzzleloading gun – October 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17, only in the still hunt areas.

8. No change.

9. Trapping – December 1 through January 4 5, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

2. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23.

3. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 54 days thereafter through the second Sunday after Thanksgiving.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1 2 through January 18 19.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

5. Archery and mMuzzleloading gun – October 18-31 19 through November 1.

6. Small game – January 24 through February 22.

6. renumbered 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or waterfowl retrievers, is prohibited during small game season and in that portion of the area south of King Road, east of the powerline right-of-way, south of Howell Road and east of Butler Road; except as provided by paragraphs 68A-15.004(7)(c) and (d), F.A.C.

8. During small game season, taking wild hog by the use of dogs is prohibited.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-14 2-15, and November 15-30 16 through December 1 and December 1-28 2-29.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

6. No change.

7. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 9 through January 4 5.

2. Small game – January 5 6 through March 1 2.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

5. Archery – September 20 21 through October 12 13.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-25 19-26 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 8 9 through March 1 2 in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 26 through November 3 4, except in the still hunt area.

3. through 7. No change.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1 2 through December 28 29.

2. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. Small game – December 29 30 through February 22 23.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

9. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons no person shall enter or exit the area except through the designated check stations on the Dallus Creek Road and Tide City Mainline.

5. through 8. renumbered 4. through 7. No change.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and November 10 11 through December 28 29.

2. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

7. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-9 2-10, 10-16 11-17 and November 17 18 through December 28 29.

2. Small game – December 29 30 through February 22 23.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 27 28 through October 26 27.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Sepember 20 21 through October 19 20.

2. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and November 10 11 through December 28 29.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Small game – December 29 30 through February 22 23.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. On that portion of the area south of County Road 358, west of Gentle Woods Road (north of Rocky Creek) and west of County Road 361 (south of Rocky Creek) motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from two days before the opening of archery season through April 30; and only on Sand Ridge Road, Road No. 2, Sink Creek Road and Rocky Creek Landing Road during the remainder of the year. On the remainder of the area vehicles may be operated only on established roads.

3. through 6. No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and 10-23 11-24.

4. Small game – December 27 28 through January 25 26.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23, March 30 through April 5 24-30 and April 6-12 March 31 through April 6.

7. Trapping – January 3 4 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Horses are allowed only during periods closed to hunting.

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

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 1-9 2-10.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-9 2-10.

2. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 through November 2 and November 7-9 1-3 and 8-10.

3. General gun – November 14-16 15-17.

4. Small game – December 26-28 27-29, January 2-4 3-5, and 9-11 10-12.

5. Family hunt – November 29-30 30 through December 1 and December 6-7 7-8.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7. Spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23 and April 17-19 11-13.

8. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 18-19 19-20 and 25-26 26-27.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-27 23-28, September 29 30 through October 4 5 and October 6-11 7-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27 and October 31 through November 2 1-3.

3. Small game – December 15-20 16-21 and 22-27 23-28.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

5. Spring turkey – March 26-28 20-22 and April 16-18 10-12.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-26 21-27 and September 27 28 through October 5 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2.

4.3. General gun – November 3-9 2-5 and 10-16 6-12.

5.4. Small game – November 22 23 through December 14 15.

6.5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7.6. Spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23 and April 17-19 11-13.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Deer, turkey (archery and spring turkey seasons only), gray squirrel, quail, rabbit and fish. The bag limit for deer is one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit during archery season. The bag limit for deer is one antlered deer per person, but no more than two antlered deer per quota permit during muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. The bag limit for deer is one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt. The bag limit for turkey is one per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and family hunt and report all game taken.

2. During archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and the family hunt, no person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which he or she has a zone tag.

3. through 9. No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-23 21-24 and 24-27 25-27, September 28 29 through October 1 2 and October 2-5 3-6.

2. Supervised small game – October 11-19 12-20, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. Bird dog training – November 17 18 through December 14 15 in the quail enhancement area and in the Normandy Unit only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through January; except that bird dog training is prohibited during the archery season.

5. General gun – November 1-4 2-5, 5-8 6-9, 9-12 10-13 and 13-16 14-17.

6. Family hunt – December 20-21 21-22.

7. Small game – January 2 3 through February 1 2, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog-still – February 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16, May 1-3 2-4, 15-17 16-18 and June 5-7 6-8.

9. No change.

10. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

11. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 24-26 18-20 and 27-29 21-23.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit during the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons and one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season and in the quail enhancement area in February during the wild hog-still hot-still season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of the North Fork Black Creek, east of County Road 217 and west of the Yellow Water Creek) except during quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 10-12 11-13, 24-26 25-27, October 31 through November 2 1-3 and December 12-14 13-15.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 27-29 21-23 and April 17-19 11-13.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 1-3 2-4, 4-6 5-7 and 7-10 8-11.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 14-16 15-17, 17-20 18-21 and 21-24 22-25.

5. Family hunt – December 6-7.

6.5. Small game – January 3 through February 1 4-26.

7.6. Spring turkey – March 21-27 15-21, March 28 through April 5 22-30 and March 31 through April 6-12 6.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the family hunt, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during the family hunt, general gun still hunt season, archery season, and muzzleloading gun season. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs is prohibited during the small game season, except by persons hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C.

5. through 10. No change.

11. During the small game season, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., shall be allowed by persons possessing a special use permit from the Florida Forest Service.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 5-7 6-8 and 26-28 27-29.

2. Small game – December 29 30 through February 22 23.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 28-30 29 through December 1 and December 12-14 13-15.

4. Archery – November 1-23 2-24.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 24-27 18-21, April 7-10 1-4 and 21-24 15-18.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-30 28 through October 1 and October 3-7 4-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. General gun – November 1-4 2-5 and 7-11 8-12.

4. Small game – November 21-23 22-24 and December 12-14 13-15.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 27-31 21-25.

6. through 7. No change.

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

(c) through (d) No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 27-31 21-25.

2. Archery – October 2-5 3-6 and 8-12 9-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

4. Wild hog-dog – November 14-16 15-17.

5. Small game – January 30 31 through February 1 2, February 13-15 14-16 and February 27 28 through March 1 2.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit during spring turkey season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 9-12 10-13, 23-26 24-27, and October 30 31 through November 2 3.

2. Small game – November 7-30 8 through December 1 and December 20 21 through January 11 12.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 15-21 and March 29 through April 4-10 4.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13-16 14-17, 17-21 18-22 and 22-26 23-27.

2. Family hunt – October 4-5 5-6 and 11-12 12-13.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

4. General gun – November 1-4 2-5 and 5-9 6-10.

5. Small game – November 15 16 through December 14 15.

6. Wild hog-still – January 12 13 through February 8 9.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and 25-29 19-23.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 8 9 through January 4 5.

4. Small game – January 5 6 through February 15 16.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 21 through March 8 21-23.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 through April 5 15-30.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Taking wild hog by the use of dogs in the still hunt area is prohibited.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1-27 2-28 and November 28 29 through December 28 29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27.

3. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

4. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23, 27-29 28-30 and October 4-6 5-7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Small game – November 22 23 through January 4 5.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 and April 3-5.

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

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, rabbit, gray squirrel, quail (only during the first 16 days of the small game season), furbearers and fish. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 8 9 through January 4 5, except on Sundays, and only in that portion of the area known as the Adams Tract located northeast of US 27, east and south of County Road 251, and southwest of the Suwannee River.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 5 6 and November 8-16 9-17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

4. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-31 19 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 1 2 through January 4 5.

4. Small game – January 5 6 through March 1 2.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 4 5.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 21 through October 19 20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 25-27.

3. General gun – November 1-9 2-10 and November 10-30 11 through December 1.

4. Small game – December 20 through January 25 11 through February 9.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 30 through February 1, February 13-15 14-16 and 20-22 21-23.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, 25-29 19-23 and March 30 24 through April 12 6.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1 2 through December 28 29.

2. Small game – December 29 30 through March 1 2.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

5. Archery – September 19 20 through October 17 18.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-31 19 through November 1.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23 and 26-28 27-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21 and 24-26 25-27.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3.

4. General gun – November 7-9 8-10 and 21-23 22-24.

5. Small game – November 28 29 through January 4 5 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 23-25 24-26 and February 13-15 14-16.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 15-23 16-24.

2. Archery – September 13-21 14-22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 4-7 5-8.

5. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3.

6. Small game – December 8-21 9-22 and January 24 25 through February 1 2.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Vehicles may be parked only at designated parking areas, except during the general gun for mobility-impaired season and the weekend and day before the season.

4. through 7. renumbered 3. through 6. No change.

7. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except in designated camping areas and by persons in possession of a special use permit from the Florida Forest Service.

(36) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 4-19 5-20.

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

3. Small game – January 12 13 through February 22 23.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3 and 15-16 16-17.

4. General gun – November 6-9 7-10 and 19-23 20-24.

5. Small game – November 28 29 through January 4 5 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(38) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3.

4. General gun – November 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.

5. Small game – November 28 29 through January 4 5 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 5-8 6-9.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

9. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Persons shall enter and exit at designated entrances or via the Nassau River, or Boggy, Mills or Thomas Creeks or foot access from State Road A1A.

7. No change.

(39) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 19-21 20-22, 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3.

4. General gun – November 7-9 8-10 and 21-23 22-24.

5. No change.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, 27-29 21-23 and April 3-5 28-30.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(40) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 13 14 through October 12 13 and October 31 through November 9 1-10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-26 19-27, November 14-23 15-24 and December 19-28 20-29 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – November 28 29 through December 14 15 and January 2 3 through February 8 9 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(41) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area – Kings Road Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 21-23, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Family hunt – November 1-2 2-3.

4. General gun – November 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.

5. Small game – November 28 29 through December 3 4, December 8-10 9-11, 19-21 20-22, 26-28 27-29 and January 5-7 6-8.

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9.

8. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, March 30 through April 1 24-26 and March 31 through April 6-8 2.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2014

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 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 10-9-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14.

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: Diane R. Eggeman, 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 20, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2014