The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest 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-15.061Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region

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

Everglades Headwaters WMA, Gulfstream Tract. – (new) – establish a new wildlife management area (395 acres) as the first tract of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Everglades Headwaters WMA; establish rules consistent with the Arbuckle WMA (regulations for Arbuckle WMA, including hunting seasons and quotas, will apply to the Gulfstream Tract) with the following open seasons: a 16-day archery season consisting of three 2-day weekend hunts (quota of 150, no exemptions) and ten days of weekday hunts (quota of 75 daily permits, no exemptions), a muzzleloading gun season consisting of two 2-day weekend muzzleloading gun hunts (quota of 150, no exemptions) and five days of weekday muzzleloading gun hunts (quota of 75 daily permits, no exemptions), 4-day small game season, and two 3-day spring turkey season hunts (quota of 15, no exemptions); and public access will be provided at a parking area on Old Avon Park Road.

Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA, Yucca Pens Unit – add coyote as legal to hunt during daylight hours of the raccoon and opossum season; and prohibit coyote hunting with dogs and at night.

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-15.061 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Southwest Region.

(1) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 2 3 through January 28 29.

2. Archery – October 27 28 through November 26 27, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only and Thanksgiving Day.

3. No change.

4. Wild hog-dog – September 28 29 through October 1 2 and October 5-8 6-9.

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area – West Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – October 6-8 7-9.

2. Wild hog-dog – October 18-20 19-21.

3. Special-opportunity archery – December 2-5 3-6 and 14-17 15-18.

4. Special-opportunity general gun – January 18-21 19-22, January 29 30 through February 1 2 and February 7-10 8-11.

5. Special-opportunity turkey – March 17-20 18-21, 26-29 27-30, March 31 through April 3 1-4, April 9-12 10-13 and 14-17 15-18.

6. Small game – February 23-25 24-26 and March 2-4 3-5.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 9-13 10-14.

2. Bird dog training – Bird dogs may be trained in the bird dog training area September 16 17 through February 11 12 and bird dogs may be trained in the remainder of the area during the small game season except the field trial and Boy Scout areas.

3. General gun –November 4-12 5-13.

4. Small game – November 13-26 14-27 and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only November 29 30 through January 14 15.

5. Field trial quail – January 20-21 21-22.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area – Yucca Pens Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 13-15 14-16.

2. General gun – October 28 29 through November 5 6.

3. Small game – November 15 16 through January 14 15 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. 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. Quail may be taken only during the small game season. The bag limit for quail shall be six per day. During small game season the take of wild hog is prohibited. During the raccoon and opossum season, only raccoon, and opossum and coyote are legal to take.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Public access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except during the raccoon and opossum season when public access is allowed at any time anytime.

4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs during the muzzleloading gun and general gun season is prohibited. The take of wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except when taking small game during the small game season or raccoon and opossum during the raccoon racoon and opossum season when any dog may be used. The take of wild hogs with dogs is prohibited. The take of coyotes with dogs is prohibited.

6. Motorized vehicular access is allowed only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except during the raccoon and opossum season when vehicle access is allowed at any time anytime.

7. through 10. No change.

11. During the raccoon and opossum season, coyotes may be taken only with guns and only from one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset.

(5) Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-dog – November 7-9 8-10.

2. Archery – December 2-3 3-4, 9-10 10-11, December 30-31 31 through January 1 and January 6-7 7-8.

3. Muzzleloading gun – January 13-14 14-15, 20-21 21-22, 27-28 28-29 and February 3-4 4-5.

4. Small game – February 17-18 18-19, 24-25 25-26 and March 3-4 4-5.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-22 22-23, 28-29 29-30, April 4-5 5-6, 11-12 12-13 and 18-19 19-20.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(6) Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 14 15 through November 3 4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 9-17 10-18.

3. Small game – January 6-7 7-8 and 27-28 28-29.

4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and April 3-5 4-6.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16, Saturdays and Sundays only.

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

3. Wild hog-still – November 11 12 through December 10 11, Saturdays and Sundays only.

4. Small game – December 16 17 through January 21 22.

5. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 15 16, Saturdays and Sundays only.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – September 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25 and January 12-14 13-15.

2. Archery – October 13-15 14-16.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 21-23 22-24 and 25-27 26-28.

4. General gun – November 4-6 5-7.

5. Small game – November 13-26 14-27 and January 22 23 through March 4 5.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – December 9-10 10-11.

7. No change.

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

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Walk-in-the-Water Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 1 1-2, October 2-5 3-6, 6-8 7-9, 9-12 10-13 and 13-15 14-16.

2. Muzzleloading gun –December 2-3 3-4, 4-7 5-8 and 8-10 9-11.

3. Wild hog-still – January 13-16 14-17 and 17-21 18-22.

4. Small game –February 3-11 4-12 and February 24 25 through March 4 5.

5. Spring turkey – March 27-29 28-30.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and April 6-8 7-9.

3. Muzzleloading gun – February 16-18 17-19.

4. Wild hog-still – November 17-19 18-20, December 1-3 2-4, and 15-17 16-18.

5. Small game – January 5-21 6-22.

6. Archery – February 9-11 10-12.

7. No change.

8. Raccoon – August 3 4 through September 24 25 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 14-16 15-17 and 20-22 21-23.

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

3. General gun – January 19-21 20-22 and February 2-4 3-5.

4. Small game – January 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

5. Wild hog-still – December 8-10 9-11 and 22-24 23-25.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, March 30 31 through April 1 2 and April 13-15 14-16.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) Avon Park Air Force Range Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16 17 through October 15 16 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 21 22 through November 3 4 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

3. General gun – November 4 5 through January 21 22 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

4. Small game – November 11 12 through March 4 5 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

6. Spring turkey – March 17 18 through April 22 23 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

7. Antlerless deer – November 18-24 19-25 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander or a designee.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Croom Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. General gun – November 4-26 5-27.

3. Small game – December 4 5 through March 4 5.

4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 3-5 4-6 and 17-19 18-20.

5. Fox, raccoon and bobcat – December 14 15 through March 11 12. Hunting is allowed from 5 p.m. Thursday to sunrise Sunday with dogs only. Taking wildlife with guns is prohibited during this season.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 4 5 through December 31 January 1.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22.

5. through 6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26, April 6-8 7-9 and 20-22 21-23.

9. Raccoon – February 1-25 2-26 and May 3-27 4-28 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Thursday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday).

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Hilochee Wildlife Management Area – Osprey Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – November 10-12 11-13.

2. Wild hog-still – November 24-26 25-27.

3. Wild hog-dog – December 8-10 9-11 and January 5-7 6-8.

4. Small game – January 25 26 through February 5 6.

5. Archery – February 9-11 10-12.

6. Muzzleloading gun – February 16-18 17-19.

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

8. Spring turkey – April 13-15 14-16 and 20-22 21-23.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Weekiwachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 14-19 15-20, November 11-16 12-17, December 9-14 10-15, January 13-18 14-19 and February 10-15 11-16.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Family hunt – December 8-10 9-11, January 12-14 13-15, January 26-28 27-29 and February 9-11 10-12.

2. Youth turkey hunt – March 23-25 24-26 and April 6-8 7-9.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(18) Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Management Area – Gulfstream Tract.

(a) The regulations contained in Rules 68A-15.061(6), F.A.C., not in conflict with specific area regulations, shall apply to this area.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2017

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 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, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 9-19-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 10-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 8-23-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 10-20-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.061, Amended 12-9-99, 3-30-00, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 5-13-02, 5-25-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 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