The purpose of the proposed rule change is to establish regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese and coots in conformance with federal regulations. Rule wording would be changed to increase the bag limit for canvasbacks to two, decrease ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-13.003Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule change is to establish regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese and coots in conformance with federal regulations. Rule wording would be changed to increase the bag limit for canvasbacks to two, decrease the bag limit for scaup to two, and increase the possession limit to three times the bag limit for ducks, geese and coots.

SUMMARY: This rule amends regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese and coots.

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.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATES AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting, November 20-21, 2013, 8:30 a.m. each day

PLACE: Bonaventure Conference Center, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, FL 33326

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-13.003 Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots.

The Commission has approved the following regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese, and coots:

(1) Duck, light goose, and coot season:

(a) through (e) No change.

(f) Limits: The possession limit for ducks and coots shall be three two days’ bag limit. There shall be no possession limit for light geese. Light geese include only snow (including blue) and Ross’ geese.

1. Ducks: The daily bag limit for ducks is six, including no more than four mallards, of which only two can be females, two four scaup, four scoters, three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails, two one canvasback, one black duck, one Florida duck (mottled duck), and one fulvous whistling-duck. In addition to the daily bag limit for ducks, the daily bag limit for mergansers is five, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.

2. through 3. No change.

(2) No change.

(3) Special September duck season:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Limits:

1. Daily bag: The daily bag limit shall be four teal and wood ducks in the aggregate per day, no more than two of which shall be wood ducks.

2. Possession: The possession limit shall be twelve eight teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, no more than six four of which shall be wood ducks.

(4) Canada goose season:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Limits:

1. Daily bag: The daily bag limit is five Canada geese.

2. Possession: The possession limit is fifteen ten Canada geese.

(5) Falconry:

(a) Ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset by the use of a falcon during the open season. The daily bag limit for all migratory game bird species shall be three, singly or in the aggregate, and three two days’ bag may be possessed.

(b) through (c) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: As soon as possible after adoption by the Commission.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 10-23-79, 8-19-80, 9-29-81, 8-30-82, 7-27-83, 8-13-84, 8-13-85, 10-1-85, Formerly 39-13.03, Amended 8-5-86, 8-24-87, 8-18-88, 12-12-88, 8-17-89, 10-30-89, 8-9-90, 10-31-90, 8-22-91, 10-31-91, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 9-2-93, 10-28-93, 11-6-94, 10-23-95, 10-20-96, 8-7-97, 10-28-97, 11-12-98, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-13.003, Amended 11-7-00, 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 2-1-06, 7-1-06, 1-9-07, 1-8-08, 7-1-08, 1-6-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 1-5-11, 3-25-12, 2-12-13,____________.

 

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: September 5, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2013