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 – shift the third small game season hunt from mid-January to late November (begin 7 weeks earlier).

Belmore WMA – change the first archery season hunt period from a Saturday-Monday hunt to a Friday-Sunday hunt by beginning the hunt 1 day earlier.

Big Bend WMA, Jena Unit – remove seasonal road closures and allow vehicular access only on open portions of named and numbered roads.

Camp Blanding WMA – extend archery season in the archery-only area from 56 to 68 days (including the period overlapping the first 6 days of archery season and the 6-day muzzleloading gun season); and establish two 3-day wild hog-dog season hunts in the dog hunt area, allow 3 dogs and 3 people per quota permit (60 daily quota permits available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season).

Cary WMA – change the first archery season hunt period from a Saturday-Monday hunt to a Friday-Sunday hunt by beginning the hunt 1 day earlier; and allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Cypress Creek WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Devil’s Hammock WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Flying Eagle WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Four Creeks WMA – establish camping at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service; change the first archery season hunt period from a Saturday-Monday hunt to a Friday-Sunday hunt by beginning the hunt 1 day earlier; and allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Goethe WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Grove Park WMA – allow hunting equipment to be taken onto the WMA beginning 2 weeks prior to archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and small game seasons.

Gulf Hammock WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Jennings Forest WMA – shift the family hunt from late December to opening day of the Zone C antlered deer season (begin 7 weeks earlier) and begin general gun season 2 days later; and allow the take of wild hog during small game season, except in the Quail Enhancement Area.

Little River WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Lochloosa WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Log Landing WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Lower Econfina River WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Middle Aucilla WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Potts WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Ralph E. Simmons Memorial WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Steinhatchee Springs WMA – change and expand the general gun season from one period of 30 days (quota permit required during the first 9 days) to 2 periods (42 days): 28 days beginning on opening day of the Zone C antlered deer season (quota permit required during the first 9 days) and 14 days (no quota permit required) beginning 65 days thereafter; begin the small game season 3 weeks earlier; and allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

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 FS.

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

DATES AND TIMES: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 8-9, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail Crystal River, Florida 34429.

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 2. No change.

3. Wild hog-dog – Opening the Saturday before the third Monday of January and continuing for 2 days thereafter, and opening the Saturday before the third Monday of February and continuing for 2 days thereafter. Only in the dog hunt area.

3. through 4. renumbered 4. through 5. No change.

6.5. Archery – September 26-28 27-29 and October 3-5 4-6, only in the still hunt and archery-only areas; and October 10-12, 17-19 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. renumbered 7. No change.

8.7. Muzzleloading gun – October 10-12 11-13 and 17-19 18-20, only in the still hunt areas.

8. renumbered 9. No change.

10.9. Trapping – December 1 through January 7 8, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. Turkeys of either sex may be taken during the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons, the last two days of each of the two general gun still quota periods, the first two days of the non-quota period of the general gun still season and the last three days of each general gun dog hunt. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the supervised youth hunts, only wild hogs and one antlered or antlerless deer may be taken per youth. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Possession or use of a dog, other than a dog on a leash for trailing wounded game, is prohibited except (1) in the dog hunt area and (2) bird dogs are allowed in still hunt areas 1 and 2 but only after the first 16 days of the general gun season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per wild hog-dog daily quota permit shall be allowed.

4. through 15. No change.

16. During the wild hog-dog season, a daily quota permit allows three hunters to participate in the hunt.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

2. Spring turkey – March 17-25 18-26.

3. Archery – September 23 24 through October 8 9.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

5. No change.

6. Small game – Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving and closing concurrently with the gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. continuing for 106 days thereafter.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, bear (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the North BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C), gray squirrel, rabbit, furbearers and fish. During the small game season, the take of small game is also allowed. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting Taking wildlife with dogs, other than dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season.

2. through 4. No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4 5 through January 21 22.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

3. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

4. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – October 21 22 through November 3 4.

6. Small game – January 27 28 through February 25 26.

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 during small game season and as provided by paragraphs 68A-15.004(7)(c) and (d), F.A.C.

8. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during small game season, except any dog may be used to take small game.

8. renumbered 9. No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-17 5-18, November 18 19 through December 3 4 and December 4-31 5 through January 1.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

3. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

4. Archery – September 23 24 through October 22 23.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28 through October 30.

6. No change.

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 11 12 through January 7 8.

2. Small game – January 8 9 through March 4 5.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

4. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

5. Archery – September 23 24 through October 15 16.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-28 22-29 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 11 12 through March 4 5 in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 29 30 through November 7 8, 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 4 5 through December 31 January 1.

2. Archery – September 23 24 through October 22 23.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28 through October 30.

4. Small game – January 1 2 through February 25 26.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

8. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

9. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-12 5-13 and November 13 14 through December 31 January 1.

2. Archery – September 23 24 through October 22 23.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30.

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

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

7. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Bear- During the open season established for the East Panhandle BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-12 5-13, 13-19 14-20 and November 20 21 through December 31 January 1.

2. Small game – January 1 2 through February 25 26.

3. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

4. Archery – September 30 through October 29 1-30.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Sepember 23 24 through October 22 23.

2. General gun – November 4-12 5-13 and November 13 14 through December 31 January 1.

3. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

4. Small game – January 1 2 through February 25 26.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Operation of a vehicle in areas posted as closed to vehicles is prohibited. 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, 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 23 24 through October 22 23.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30.

3. General gun – November 4-12 5-13 and 13-26 14-27.

4. Small game – December 16 17 through February 11 12.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17-25 18-26, March 26 27 through April 1 2 and April 2-8 3-9.

7. Trapping – January 6 7 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) PotashCorp – White Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken.

2. through 4. renumbered 1. through 3. No change.

5. The take of wildlife with firearms from dikes is prohibited.

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

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 8 9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 4-12 5-13, Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and December 23-26 24-27.

4. Wild hog-still – December 30 31 through January 2 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17-25 18-26 and April 5-8 6-9.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-12 5-13.

2. Archery – September 23 24 through October 8 9.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

4. Fishing – Allowed throughout the year.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25 and September 29 30 through October 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.

3. General gun – November 17-19 18-20.

4. Small game – November 24-26, December 29-31 30 through January 1, and January 5-7 6-8 and 13-15.

5. Family hunt – January 20-21 21-22 and 27-28 28-29.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

7. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and April 13-15 14-16.

8. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 21-22 22-23 and October 28-29 29-30.

9. Wild hog-still hot-still – May 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.

10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 25-30 26 through October 1, October 2-7 3-8 and 9-14 October 10-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30 and November 3-5 4-6.

3. No change.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

5. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25 and April 12-14 13-15.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-29 24-30 and September 30 through October 8 1-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. General gun – November 6-12 7-13 and 13-19 14-20.

5. No change.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

7. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and April 13-15 14-16.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-26 24-27 September 27-30 28 through October 1, October 1-4 2-5 and 5-8 6-9.

2. Supervised small game – October 14-22 15-23, 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 27-29 28-30.

4. Bird dog training – November 20 21 through December 17 18 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 6-9 5-8, 10-13 9-12, 14-17 13-16 and 18-21 17-20.

6. Family hunt – November 4-5 December 24-25.

7. Small game – January 5 6 through February 4 5, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog-still – February 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19, May 4-6 5-7, 18-20 19-21 and June 1-3 2-4.

9. No change.

10. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

11. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 20-22 21-23 and 23-25 24-26.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. 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 in the quail enhancement area during small game season and in the quail enhancement area in February during the wild hog-still season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per quota permit. Taking 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 as established annually by order of the Executive Director, based on annual fall quail surveys. The daily bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six per person.

(c) through (d) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 13-15 14-16, October 27-29 28-30, November 3-5 4-6 and December 15-17 16-18.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and April 13-15 14-16.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 4-6 5-7, 7-9 8-10 and 10-13 11-14.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 17-19 18-20, 20-23 21-24 and 24-27 25-28.

5. Family hunt – December 30-31 31 through January 1.

6. Small game – January 6 7 through February 4 5.

7. Spring turkey – March 17-23 18-24, March 24 25 through April 1 2 and April 2-8 3-9.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during general gun still hunt, archery, and muzzleloading gun seasons. During the family hunt and small game season, hunting with dogs other than waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs is prohibited., except During the small game season, hunting with dogs is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game and during small game season by persons hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C.

5. through 11. No change.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 8-10 9-11 and December 29-31 30 through January 1.

2. Small game – January 1 2 through February 25 26.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 1-3 2-4 and December 15-17 16-18.

4. Archery – November 4-12 5-13, 13-19 14-20 and 20-26 21-27.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 3-6 4-7 and 17-20 18-21.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 3 1-4 and October 6-10 7-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. General gun – November 4-7 5-8 and 10-14 11-15.

4. Small game – November 24-26 25-27 and December 15-17 16-18.

5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21 and 23-27 24-28.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season; waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs are allowed during small game and September duck seasons. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

3. through 9. No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21 and 23-27 24-28.

2. Archery – October 5-8 6-9 and 11-15 12-16.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30.

4. Wild hog-dog – November 17-19 18-20.

5. Small game – February 2-4 3-5, 16-18 17-19 and March 2-4 3-5.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season, and any dog is prohibited except that dogs may be used to take wild hog during the wild hog-dog season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

7. through 8. No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 12-15 13-16, October 26-29 27-30 and November 2-5 3-6.

2. Small game – November 10 11 through December 3 4 and December 23 24 through January 14 15.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 18-24 and March 31 through April 6 1-7.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16-19 17-20, 20-24 21-25 and September 25-29 26-30.

2. Family hunt – October 7-8 8-9 and 14-15 15-16.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

4. General gun – November 4-7 5-8 and 8-12 9-13.

5. Small game – November 18 19 through December 17 18.

6. Wild hog-still – January 15 16 through February 11 12.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

8. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21 and 21-25 22-26.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs other than waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs is prohibited, except by persons hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. and any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season. The taking of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

6. No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-29 22-30 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 11 12 through January 7 8.

4. Small game – January 8 9 through February 18 19.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 24 25 through March 11 12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 1 2.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-30 5 through December 1 and December 1-31 2 through January 1.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-29 22-30.

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

4. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunting with The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or waterfowl retrievers, is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph paragraphs 68A-24.002(2)(b), and 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C. and any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season.

5. through 7. No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-25 24-26, September 30 through October 2 1-3 and October 7-9 8-10.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. Small game – November 25 26 through January 7 8.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, antlerless deer (during the family hunt only), bear (only during those portions of the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the North BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C), rabbit, gray squirrel, quail (only during the first 16 days of the small game season), furbearers, migratory birds (only during small game season) and fish. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the family hunt, one antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per person, but no more than two per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except during the small game season. During the small game season, any dog may be used to take small game and dogs may be used as provided by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., and that bird dogs may be used for hunting quail during the first 16 days of the small game season.

5. through 7. No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 11 12 through January 7 8, except on Sundays.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 8 9 and November 11-19 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-29 22-30.

3. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

4. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21 22 through November 3 4.

3. General gun – November 4 5 through January 7 8.

4. Small game – January 8 9 through March 4 5.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 7 8.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

8. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. In addition to the provisions of Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., hunting equipment shall be allowed on the area beginning 14 days prior to hunts allowing the take of deer or wild hog.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 22 23.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30.

3. General gun – November 4-12, 5-13 and November 13 14 through December 1 4 and January 8-21.

4. Small game – December 2 24 through January 7 29.

5. Wild hog-dog –February 2-4 3-5, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

7. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, 21-25 22-26 and March 26 27 through April 8 9.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with The possession or use of dogs, other than waterfowl retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph paragraphs 68A-24.002(2)(b), and 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C., any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season and any dog may be used to take wild hog during the wild hog-dog season.

2. through 10. No change.

(33) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 24-26, September 29 30 through and October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24 and 27-29 28-30.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. General gun – November 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

5. Small game – December 1 2 through January 7 8 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 26-28 27-29 and February 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

7. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 23-25 24-26 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game that bird dogs are allowed during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers are allowed during the duck, geese and coot season.

3. through 7. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 18-26 19-27.

2. Archery – September 16-24 17-25.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-29 22-30.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 7-10 8-11.

5. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

6. Small game – December 11-24 12-25 and January 27 28 through February 4 5.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except any dog bird dogs may be used to take small game during the small game season.

2. through 7. No change.

(35) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 7-22 8-23.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.

3. Small game – January 15 16 through February 25 26.

4. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

5. Spring turkey – March 17-25 18-26.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph paragraphs 68A-24.002(2)(b), and 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C. and any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season.

2. through 7. No change.

(36) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 24-26, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6 and 18-19 19-20.

4. General gun – November 9-12 10-13 and 22-26 23-27.

5. Small game – December 1 2 through January 7 8 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

8. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 23-25 24-26 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 24-26, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. General gun – November 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

5. Small game – December 1 2 through January 7 8 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 8-11 9-12.

7. No change.

8. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

9. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 23-25 24-26 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Allowed throughout the year only at designated sites by permit from the Florida Forest Service Prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game with bird dogs during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers may be used during seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

4. through 7. No change.

(38) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. General gun – November 10-12 11-13 and 24-26 25-27.

5. No change.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

7. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 23-25 24-26 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one deer per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one deer per person, but no more than two per quota permit. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the spring turkey season one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per person, but no more than two deer per quota permit.

(c) through (d) No change.

(39) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16 and November 3-12 4-13 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-29 22-30, November 17-26 18-27 and December 22-31 23 through January 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game –December 1-17 2-18 and January 5 6 through February 11 12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Wild hog-still – May 5-13 6-14.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with The possession or use of dogs is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game that bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed during the small game season and as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

4. through 6. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-25 24-26, October 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24.

3. Family hunt – November 4-5 5-6.

4. General gun – November 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27.

5. Small game –December 1-6 2-7, 11-13 12-14, 22-24 23-25, December 29-31 30 through January 1 and January 8-10 9-11.

6. No change.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12.

8. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunting with The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of fifteen inches or less is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game during small game season as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

5. through 7. No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2017

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, 8-26-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17.

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 16, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 8, 2016