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 ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.063Specific 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 – allow the harvest of bearded turkey or gobbler during the muzzleloading gun season.

Apalachicola WMA, Bradwell Unit – begin the July wild hog-dog hunt 7 days later.

Aucilla WMA – establish five 3-day wild hog-dog hunts (no quota permit required).

Blackwater WMA – establish ten 3-day wild hog-dog hunts (two per month from May through September, no quota permit required); change the bag limit for deer during the archery/muzzleloading gun season in the Field Trial Area from one deer per day to one antlered and one antlerless deer per day; and expand dove season in the Field Trial Area to include the entire statewide dove season on posted dove fields.

Blackwater WMA, Carr Unit – remove the requirement for hunters to sign in and out of the area and record all harvested game.

Blackwater WMA, Hutton Unit – establish two 2-day dove hunts (quota of 40, issued first come, first served at the check station each day, no exemptions); and allow one person under the age of 16 to accompany an adult dove permit holder and hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permit holder, provided they may each take one bag limit of dove.

Box-R WMA – increase the quota during wild hog-dog hunts from 10 to 20 (no exemptions); extend legal hunting hours during the wild hog-dog season from sunset until sunrise to sunset until 10 a.m.; and remove the requirement for hunters to check in and out at a check station and check harvested game during wild hog-dog, spring turkey, and dove seasons.

Point Washington WMA – change the quota during general gun season from one quota hunt (first 13 days and last 17 days, quota of 150, no exemptions), to two quota hunts (first 13 days and last 17 days, quota of 150 per hunt, no exemptions).

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.

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-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region.

(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 15 16 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B, except hunting is allowed the Friday after Thanksgiving).

2. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Quail (Zone A) – December 23 24 through February 1 2 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).

9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

(b) through (d) No change

(2) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons:

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

2. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

3. No change.

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

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

6. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

7. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

8. Muzzleloading gun and archery –February 5-15 6-16.

9. No change.

10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – October 1 through March 1 2 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 – February 5 6 through March 1.

12. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season, and during the periods of from November 27-30 28 through December 1 and from December 13-24 14-25. 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 1 2, except on the quail enhancement area where bird dogs may be trained November 1 through December 31. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 26 through November 13 14 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.

2. through 8. No change.

(3) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area – Bradwell Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13-17 14-18.

2. Archery – October 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

4. Family hunt – December 22-24, January 16-18 17-19 and January 30 31 through February 1 2.

5. Small game – November 8-16 9-17 and December 27 28 through January 4 5.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-22 15-16 and April 3-5 28-30.

7. Wild hog-dog – July 11-13 5-7, August 1-3 2-4 and September 5-7, 2014 6-8, 2013, and May 1-3 2-4 and June 5-7, 2015 6-8, 2014.

8. Wild hog-still – July 18-20 19-21, August 15-17 16-18 and September 19-21, 2014 20-22, 2013, and May 15-17 16-18 and June 19-21, 2015 20-22, 2014.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of State Road 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 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 20 21 through February 11 12.

2. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the still hunt area north of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191) – December 13-14 14-15.

3. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-19 2-20 and February 12 13 through March 1 2.

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

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

6. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

7. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

8. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 20 through March 1 2.

9. Wild hog-dog – July 4-6, 18-20, August 1-3, 15-17, September 5-7, 19-21, 2014, and May 1-3, 15-17, June 5-7 and 19-21, 2015.

9. through 13. renumbered 10. through 14. 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, 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 27-30 28 through December 1, December 20 21 through January 4 5 and January 19 20 through February 11 12.

2. General gun still – January 5-18 6-19.

3. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the dog hunt area north of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191) – December 13-14 14-15.

4. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-19 2-20 and February 12 13 through March 1 2.

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

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

7. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

8. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

9. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 20 through March 1 2.

10. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – May 1 through March 8 2, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of Belandville Road.

11. Wild hog-dog – July 4-6, 18-20, August 1-3, 15-17, September 5-7, 19-21, 2014, and May 1-3, 15-17, June 5-7 and 19-21, 2015.

11. through 14. renumbered 12. through 15. 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 Road 191 on the southeast, and on a line running west 3/4 mile from the intersection of County Road 191 and Coldwater Horse 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 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun and archery – January 16-18 17-19.

3. Dove (on fields posted as open to dove hunting) – During the mourning dove and white-winged dove season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C. first phase of the dove season (Monday through Saturday only), the second phase of the dove season (Monday through Wednesday only) and the third phase of the dove season until January 1 (Monday through Wednesday only).

4. through 5. No change.

6. Quail – February 2-3 3-4, 4-5 5-6, 16-17 17-18 and 18-19 19-20.

7. Wild hog-dog – July 4-6, 18-20, August 1-3, 15-17, September 5-7, 19-21, 2014, and May 1-3, 15-17, June 5-7 and 19-21, 2015.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(d) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer dDuring the muzzleloading gun and archery season on the field trial portion of the area shall be one antlered and one antlerless any deer per day (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 4, south of State Road 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. During the wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken.

(e) No change.

(f) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt area, field trial area and during general gun still and family still hunt in the dog hunt area; however, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used to take small game during small game seasons in both the still hunt and dog hunt areas and dogs of any size or breed may be used throughout the area during the wild hog-dog season. Dogs are prohibited in the field trial area, except as specifically authorized by permit, or during the bird dog training, dove or quail hunting seasons, or during wild hog-dog season for the purpose of hunting wild hogs.

4. through 9. No change.

10. During the wild hog-dog season, hunts will begin at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the hunt and end at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the hunt.

11. Taking wild hogs during daylight hours is prohibited in the West Boundary Forest Unit (that portion of the area south of State Road 4 and west of County Road 191).

12. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken during the day (except in the West Boundary Forest Unit) or at night by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Hutton Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25-28 26-29 and October 29 30 through November 2 3.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. Quail – November 8-9 9-10, 15-16 16-17, 19-20 20-21, December 8-9 9-10, 13-14 14-15, 22-23 23-24 and 27-28 28-29.

4. General gun – January 17-20 18-21 and 21-25 22-26.

5. Mobility-impaired general gun – January 30 31 through February 1 2 and February 6-8 7-9.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

8. Wild hog-dog – July 18-20 19-21, August 15-17 16-18 and September 19-21, 2014 20-22, 2013, and May 15-17 16-18 and June 19-21, 2015 20-22, 2014.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Dove (on fields posted as open to dove hunting) – During the first 2 weekends of the first phase of the mourning dove and white-winged dove season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken during the archery, muzzleloading gun, quail, dove, general gun and mobility-impaired general gun seasons.

3. through 8. No change.

9. Dove permits shall be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the check station on the day of each dove hunt.

10. During the dove season, one minor under 16 years of age may accompany an adult dove permit holder and may hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permit holder, provided that the permit holder and the minor may each take one daily bag limit of doves.

(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Carr Unit.

(a) Open season: Special-opportunity released quail – November 8-14 9-15, 15-21 16-22, 22-28 23-29, November 29 30 through December 5 6, December 6-12 7-13, 13-19 14-20, 20-26 21-27, December 27 28 through January 2 3, January 3-9 4-10, 10-16 11-17, 17-23 18-24, 24-30 25-31, January 31 through February 6 1-7, February 7-13 8-14, 14-20 15-21, and 21-27 22-28.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunters shall sign in and out of the special-opportunity released-quail area when entering and exiting the area, and shall record all game taken.

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

(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – December 12 13 through January 11 12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 16 17 through February 1 2 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – October 4 5 through December 7 8 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. No person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which they have he has obtained a zone tag permit, except during small game season. All hunters shall maintain possession of check station-issued daily permits while on the area wear zone tags visibly.

5. through 12. No change.

(8) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

2. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

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

4. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

5. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 28-30 29 through December 1 and December 13 14 through January 4 5 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 9 10 through March 1 2 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

5. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (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 28-30 29 through December 1 and December 13 14 through January 4 5 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 9 10 through March 1 2 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

2. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

3. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

5. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 5-15 6-16.

6. through 7. No change.

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

9. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 26 through November 13 14.

2. through 6. No change.

(12) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area – Womack Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 2 3.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13, December 22-23 23 and January 6 through February 4 5.

4. General gun still – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13-21 14-22.

5. through 6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-5 27-30 and 9-12 April 3-6.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 1 2 through December 28 29, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. November 1-7 2-8, 8-14 9-15, and 15-23 16-24 in the Pinhook still hunt area.

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 13 14 through October 12 13, except in the Pinhook still hunt area. September 13-21 14-22 and October 4-12 5-13 in the Pinhook still hunt area.

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

7. Family hunt – October 25-26 26-27, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.

8. Wild hog-still – December 13-28 14-29, in the Pinhook still hunt area only.

9. Wild hog-dog – July 11-13, August 8-10, and September 5-7, 2014, and May 8-10 and June 12-14, 2015.

9. through 11. renumbered 10. through 12. No change.

13.12. Trapping – December 29 30 through March 1.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited in the Pinhook still hunt area, which is that portion of the area south of US 98. During the archery season in the Pinhook still hunt area the bag limit for deer shall be two deer, only one of which can be antlered, per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons in the Pinhook still hunt area, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Taking wild hog by the use of dogs is prohibited, except during the wild hog-dog and general gun seasons season in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area east of State Road 59 and north of US 98, west of Powell Hammock Road and south of Goose Pasture Road and that portion of the area north of Goose Pasture Road and west of Oneal Tram).

2. through 10. No change.

11. During the wild hog-dog season, hunts will begin at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the hunt and end at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the hunt.

12. During the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.

(14) Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Small game – January 19 20 through March 1 2.

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

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

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

7. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 19 20 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 16 17.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1, January 24-27 25-28 and January 28 29 through February 1 2.

4. Small game – December 9-31 10-31.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 12 6.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 26 27 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-12 7-13 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1, December 13 14 through February 22 23 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 23 24 through March 1 2 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

5. Small game – November 8 9 through March 1 2 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

8. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 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 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

2. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

5. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

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

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

8. through 10. No change.

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

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited 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 in take raccoon.

3. through 5. No change.

(18) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 26 27 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-12 7-13.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 22 23 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Supervised youth – October 25 26 through December 31 (only in areas and during days designated by the Installation Commander).

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 14-15 8-9 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

7. Small game – November 8 9 through March 1 2 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 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 thorugh December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5 except Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island.

4. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16. Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 15 16.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 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 21-23 15-17 and April 3-5 28-30 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 February 5 6 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 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through January 1.

4. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and January 2 through March 1 2.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 3-4 4-5 and 10-11 11-12.

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

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

8. through 10. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Altha Tract:

1. Archery – October 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

2. Family hunt – November 27-30 28 through December 1.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

4. Small game – January 3 4 through March 1 2 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

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 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

4. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of Weaver River):

1. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1, January 24-27 25-28 and January 28 29 through February 1 2.

2. Archery – October 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30, 10-12 April 4-6 and 24-26 18-20.

5. Small game – November 8-16 9-17.

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 25 26 through November 23 24, November 27-30 28 through December 1, and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. Small game – November 8-16 9-17.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30, 10-12 April 4-6 and 24-26 18-20.

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 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and December 13 14 through February 4 5.

4. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

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

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

8. Raccoon – November 8 9 through March 13 7 and April 27 21 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 28-30 29 through December 1, January 16-18 17-19, 23-25 24-26, January 30 31 through February 1 2 and February 4-6 5-7.

2. Spring turkey – March 21-22 15-16, 27-29 21-23, April 3-5 28-30, 10-12 April 4-6, 17-19 11-13 and 24-26 18-20.

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 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1, January 24-27 25-28 and January 28 29 through February 1 2.

4. Small game – December 13-28 14-29.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.

7. through 8. No change.

(d) through (f) No change.

(23) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

2. Small game – November 8-23 9-24.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

4. General gun – November 27-30 28 through December 1, January 8-11 9-12, 15-18 16-19 and 22-25 23-26.

5. Wild hog-still – December 13-19 14-20.

6. Wild hog-dog – July 11-13 12-14, August 8-10 9-11 and September 12-14, 2014 13-15, 2013, and May 8-10 9-11 and June 12-14, 2015 13-15, 2014.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-5 27-30 and 16-19 April 10-13.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person, but not more than two per quota permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person, but not more than two per quota permit. During the wild hog-dog season, only wild hog may be taken. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The take of deer is prohibited during wild hog-still season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken, except during the small game, wild hog-dog, spring turkey and dove seasons season.

7. through 10. No change.

11. During the wild hog-dog season, taking wild hog is prohibited from 10 a.m. sunrise to sunset.

12. No change.

(24) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25-31 26 through November 1 and November 1-9 2-10.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. Family hunt – November 27-30 28 through December 1.

4. General gun – January 24-27 25-28 and January 28 29 through February 1 2.

5. Small game – December 12 13 through January 18 19 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 18 19 through November 16 17 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 28-30 22-24, December 12-14 13-15, 26-28 27-29, January 9-11 10-12 and 23-25 24-26.

3. Small game – January 26 27 through February 22 23.

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Perdido River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

3. Family hunt – November 27-30 28 through December 1 and January 9-11 10-12.

4. General gun – January 17-23 18-24 and January 24 25 through February 1 2.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

6. Small game – December 9 10 through January 7 8.

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

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

9. through 11. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Juniper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – November 28-30 22-24, December 24-26, December 31 through January 2, January 16-18 17-19 and January 30 31 through February 1 2.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Beaverdam Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 25 26 through November 23 24.

2. Small game – November 8-26 9-27, December 1-12 2-13 and February 5 6 through March 1 2.

3. Family hunt – November 27-30 28 through December 1.

4. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-8 7-9.

5. General gun – December 13 14 through February 4 5.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-15 6-16.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18 and April 1-5 26-30.

8. Wild hog-dog – July 11-13 12-14, August 8-10 9-11 and September 12-14, 2014 13-15, 2013, and May 8-10 9-11 and June 12-14, 2015 13-15, 2014.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2014

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, 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