The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South 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-15.064Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South 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 South Region as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

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 n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes.

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:

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-15.064 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region.

(1) J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Take of wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except during general gun, small game, raccoon and dog training seasons. During small game season, dogs may only be used to take small game only bird dogs, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, and raccoon dogs are allowed.

7. Roy R. Burnsed Still Hunt Area: Dogs, except dogs used to take small game bird dogs during small game season, are prohibited in the still hunt area, delineated as that portion of the area starting at the junction of the South Grade and the Main Canal, then south on the South Grade to the Indian Trails Outfall Canal, then south, east, and south along the wildlife management area boundary, then west along the L-8 Canal to its junction with the Big Gopher Canal, then northeast along the Big Gopher Canal to its junction with the Tomato Field Grade, then east along the Tomato Field Grade to its junction with the Tomato Field, then along the western boundary of the Tomato Field to its junction with the Main Canal, then northeast along the Main Canal to the point of beginning.

8. through 18. No change.

(2) Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 30 through October 15 1-16.

2. General gun – Vehicle, October 21 22 through November 5 6 (tracked vehicles).

3. Archery – August 5-27 6-28.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 2-10 3-11.

5. Small game – November 6 7 through March 4 5.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used during snipe and waterfowl seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

7. through 20. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 30 through October 15 1-16, Conservation Areas 3A North and 2A (north of the East/West Airboat Trail) only.

2. General gun – Vehicle (airboats and tracked vehicles only), October 21 22 through November 5 6, in Conservation Areas 3A North, 3A South, 2, and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

3. Archery – August 5-27 6-28, Conservation Area 3A North only.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 2-10 3-11, in Conservation Area 3A North only.

5. Small game – November 6 7 though March 4 5.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c). No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 11. No change.

12. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used during snipe and waterfowl seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

13. through 27. No change.

(e) No change.

(4) Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 30 through October 15 1-16.

2. General gun – Vehicle (tracked vehicles only), October 21 22 through November 5 6 (tracked vehicles).

3. Archery – August 5-27 6-28.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 2-10 3-11.

5. Small game – November 6 7 through March 4 5.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Hunting with dogs is allowed only during the general gun-vehicle season, except that bird dogs and retrievers may be used during snipe and waterfowl seasons, and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season. the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., and during the snipe season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

9. through 20. No change.

(e) No change.

(5) Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 7-22 8-23, except in the Deep Lake Unit.

5. Spring turkey – March 3 4 through April 8 9.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs (other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers) is prohibited, except that during small game season dogs may be used for hunting small game. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited. All dogs are prohibited in the Loop unit. The possession of dogs (other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers for hunting purposes) is prohibited except as authorized by National Park Service regulations. Leashed dogs may not be used for trailing wounded game.

2. through 20. No change.

(6) Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 5-11 6-12 and 12-20 13-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.

3. Family Hunt – September 16-17 17-18.

4. General gun – September 23-26 24-27 and September 27 28 through October 1 2.

5. Small game – November 11 12 through December 24 25.

6. Spring turkey – March 3-6 4-7 and 7-11 8-12.

7. though 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during small game season for taking small game.

2. through 7. No change.

(7) Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28 west of US Highway 27 only.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18 west of US Highway 27 only.

3. General gun – September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 13-15 14-16 west of US Highway 27 only.

4. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 24-25 25-26 west of US Highway 27 only.

5. Spring turkey – March 3-6 4-7, 9-12 10-13, 16-19 17-20, 23-26 24-27 and March 30 31 through April 2 3 west of US Highway 27 only.

6. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24 east of US Highway 27 only.

7. Wild hog-still– November 18-19 19-20 west of US Highway 27 only.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 5-20 6-21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.

3. General gun – October 7-10 8-11, 11-15 12-16 and 16-22 17-23.

4. Small game – November 4 5 through December 24 25.

5. Spring turkey – March 3-6 4-7 and 7-11 8-12.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 8. No change.

(9) Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 4-7 5-8, 11-14 12-15, 18-21 19-22 and 25-28 26-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 8-10 9-11.

3. General gun – September 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and September 29 30 through October 1 2.

4. Small game – October 28 29 through the Sunday prior to the youth turkey hunt.

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

6. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 24-25 25-26.

7. Spring turkey – March 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs or retrievers may be used during small game and migratory bird seasons for taking small game and migratory game birds and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season on the posted dove field during established dove hunts.

2. through 9. No change.

(10) Spirit-of-the-Wild Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 4-7 5-8, 11-14 12-15, 18-21 19-22 and August 25-28 26-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 8-10 9-11.

3. General gun – September 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25, and September 29 30 through October 1 2.

4. Small game – October 28 29 through the Sunday prior to the youth turkey hunt.

5. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 24-25 25-26.

6. Spring turkey – March 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs or retrievers may be used during small game and migratory bird seasons for taking small game and migratory game birds and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

2. through 7. No change.

(11) Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 9-12 10-13, 16-19 17-20, September 23-26 25-27 and September 30 through October 3 1-4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 14-16 15-17.

3. Family hunt – October 28-31 29 through November 1.

4. General gun –November 4-8 5-9.

5. Small game – November 11 12 through the second Sunday in January.

6. Spring turkey – March 3-6 4-7 and 7-11 8-12.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs or retrievers may be used during the small game and migratory bird seasons for taking small game and migratory game birds and dogs may be used to take small game during small game season.

6. through 8. No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2017

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, 7-27-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 8-5-86, 5-10-87, 8-24-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 10-20-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.064, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 2-27-03, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 8-26-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 9-18-14, 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