The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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-15.065Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

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

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

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

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

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

Guana River WMA – remove the existing WMA rules related to waterfowl hunting in Lake Ponte Vedra and authorize waterfowl quota hunts in the lake by establishing the Guana River - Lake Ponte Vedra Public Small Game Hunting Area through executive order.

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

Lake George WMA, Dexter Mary Farms Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

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

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

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

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

Ocala WMA – require a quota permit for the entire general gun season on the Pipeline Unit (5,000 permits, exemptions allowed); allow trapping in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19 during the statewide trapping season; allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

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

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

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

Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

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

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

Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Tosohatchee WMA – add gray squirrel as legal to hunt during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-dog seasons.

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 ; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, FS.

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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.

(1) Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-5 5-6 and November 6 7 through December 31 January 1.

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

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

4. Archery – September 16-17 17-18 and September 18 19 through October 15 16.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 11 12 through January 7 8 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 11 12 through 19 20 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 25 26 through December 3 4 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 4 5 through March 4 5 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 8 9 through March 4 5 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

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

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-29 28-30, in the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 11 12 through April 15 16.

8. No change.

9. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12 (Lake Delancy Unit only).

10. Spring turkey – March 22-25 23-26, March 29 30 through April 1 2, April 5-8 6-9 and 12-15 13-16.

11. No change.

12. Trapping – December 1 through March 1, except in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

13. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 11 12 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 5 6 through April 15 16 only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 8 9 through April 15 16, only in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units, except any dog may be used to take small game bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during small game, and bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during September duck, dove, and duck, geese and coot seasons. Taking deer with dogs is prohibited in the Church Lake Unit during the general gun still hunt. Caged or leashed hunting dogs may be transported on numbered roads.

3. through 4. No change.

5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 8 9 through April 15 16 in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.

6. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 18-26 19-27 and November 27 28 through January 14 15.

2. Spring turkey – March 17-25 18-26 and March 26 27 through April 22 23.

3. Archery – October 14 15 through November 12 13.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 15 16 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 27-29 28-30.

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

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 28-31 and 29 through November 1, November 1-5 2-6 and 6-12 7-13.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 18-20 19-21.

3. General gun – January 15-18 16-19 and 19-23 20-24.

4. Wild hog-still – January 24-26 25-27.

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

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

7. Small game – February 3 4 through March 4 5.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 4-5 5-6 and November 6 7 through December 31 January 1.

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

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

4. Archery – September 16-17 17-18 and September 18 19 through October 15 16.

5. No change.

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

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 27-29 28-30.

8. General gun-dog – December 7-10 8-11 and December 28-31 29 through January  1.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 12-14 13-15, 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and US 441 only.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area – Prairie Lakes Unit.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

4. Small game – December 9-31 10 through January 1.

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

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

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – December 1-3 2-4 and January 5-7 6-8, 26-28 27-29 and February 23-25 24-26.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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

6. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, March 29 30 through April 2 3 and April 12-15 13-16.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15'' or less may be used for hunting small game and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season.

4. through 9. No change.

(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 11-19 12-20.

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

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

4. Small game – November 23 24 through December 31 January 1.

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

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

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15'' or less may be used for hunting small game and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season.

4. through 5. No change.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-8 6-9 and 12-15 13-16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-29 27-30 and November 2-5 3-6.

3. General gun – November 16-19 17-20 and 24-26 25-27.

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

5. Wild hog-dog – January 12-18 13-19 and February 9-15 10-16.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, antlerless deer, turkey, wild hog, fish, frogs, gray squirrel and coyote. No other wildlife species may be taken. Antlerless deer is any deer, except a spotted fawn, that is without antlers or whose antlers are less than one inch in length visible above the hairline. 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. A limit of one antlerless and one antlered deer per quota permit is established. Only wild hog and gray squirrel may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.

(c) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 6-8 7-9 and 13-15 14-16.

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

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

4. Small game – November 25-26 26-27, December 2-3 3-4, 9-10 10-11 and January 6-7 7-8.

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

6. Wild hog-dog – January 27-28 28-29 and January 29 30 through February 2 3.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that dogs may be used during the wild hog-dog season, and any dog may be used to take small game bird dogs may be used during small game season. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than 3 free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed.

6. through 10. No change.

(11) Jumper Creek 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 4-12 5-13 and November 13 14 through December 31 January 1.

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. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 10-12 11-13 and 17-19 18-20.

4. Small game – December 2-3 3-4, 9-10 10-11 and January 6-7 7-8.

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 7. No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Duck, light goose and coot – Lake Ponte Vedra shall be open during the September duck seasons established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., and the first day of each phase and on Wednesdays and Saturdays of the duck, light goose and coot season established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

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

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

3.4. Archery – October 6-8 7-9 and 13-15 14-16.

4.5. Small game – December 1-3  2-4, 8-10 9-11, January 5-7 6-8, 12-14 13-15, 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

5.6. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

7. through 8. renumbered 6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 6-8 7-9 and 13-15 14-16.

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

3. General gun – November 11-13 12-14 and 17-19 18-20.

4. Small game –December 1-3 2-4, 8-10 9-11 and 15-17 16-18.

5. Wild hog-still – January 12-14 13-15, 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

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) through (d) No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 1 2.

2. Supervised small game – October 7-15 8-16.

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

4. General gun – November 11-14 12-15 and 15-19 16-20.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 23 24 through January 7 8 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 11-12 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

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

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 11-14 12-15, 15-19 16-20 and 20-26 21-27.

4. Small game – November 27 28 through March 4 5.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, March 29 30 through April 1 2 and April 12-15 13-16.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during the general gun season and any dog may be used to take small game small game seasons and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used to hunt rabbit during small game season.

4. No change.

(17) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 25 26 through December 10 11 and December 23 24 through January 7 8.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 18-24, March 31 through April 6 1-7 and April 14-20 15-21.

3. No change.

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

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

6. General gun – November 11-19 12-20.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. The use of dogs is prohibited except that any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season. , other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season is prohibited.

2. through 9. No change.

(e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-26 24-27 and September 27 28 through October 1 2.

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

3. General gun –December 2-5 3-6 and 6-10 7-11.

4. Small game – January 13-28 14-29 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 17-21 18-22 and March 24-28 25-29.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 20-22 21-23.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 9. No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 26-28 27-29, February 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 14-20 15-21 and October 28 29 through November 3 4.

3. Small game – November 25 26 through January 21 22.

4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 18-24, March 31 through April 6 1-7 and April 14-20 15-21.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13, 16-19 17-20 and 23-26 24-27.

4. Small game – November 27 28 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, 23-26 24-27 and March 30 31 through April 1 3.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 4. No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 29 30 through October 5 6, October 6-12 7-13 and 13-21 14-22.

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

3. General gun – November 17-19 18-20, 24-26 25-27 and December 1-3 2-4.

4. Small game – December 9-24 10-25.

5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, 22-25 23-26 and March 29 30 through April 1 2.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that any dog may be used to take small game bird dogs may be used during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers may be used during the September duck seasons.

2. through 4. No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 22-25 23-26, April 3-6 4-7 and 19-22 20-23.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 21-24 22-25, October 3-6 4-7, 12-15 13-16, 24-27 25-28, November 2-5 3-6, 14-17 15-18, December 5-8 6-9 and 14-17 15-18.

3. Wild hog-still – January 12-14 13-15.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 26-28 27-29 and February 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game –February 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25.

2. Supervised small game – October 14-20 15-21, November 18-24 19-25, December 16-22 17-23 and January 13-19 14-20.

3. Spring turkey – March 23-25 24-26.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game during small game season. bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15" or less may be used for hunting small game.

4. through 6. No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 1 2 and October 7-13 8-14.

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

3. General gun – November 11-14 12-15 and 16-20 17-21.

4. Small game –December 2-17 3-18.

5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21 and 22-26 23-27.

6. Wild hog-still – December 29 30 through January 28 29.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 6. No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 28 29 through November 3 4.

2. Small game – December 9-24 10-25.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 18-24, March 31 through April 6 1-7 and April 14-20 15-21.

4. Wild hog-still – November 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20, 24-26 25-27; January 30 31 through February 1 2 and February 6-8 7-9.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 11-19 12-20.

4. Small game –December 2-17 3-18.

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

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

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

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

3. through 4. No change.

(27) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 21-24 22-25 and September 28 29 through October 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-29 27-30.

3. General gun – November 9-12 10-13.

4. Wild hog-still – November 17-19 18-20, December 15-17 16-18 and January 12-14 13-15.

5. Small game – January 5-7 6-8, 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.

6. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20 and 23-25 24-26.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used during small game season to take small game and waterfowl retrievers may be used to take ducks during special September duck season.

2. through 6. No change.

(28) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 4 5 through January 14 15.

4. Small game – January 15 16 through March 4 5.

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

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. 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. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 18-19 19-20. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 4 5 through December 31 January 1.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 8 9 and November 18-26 19-27.

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

3. General gun – December 7-10 8-11.

4. Wild hog-still – January 20-28 21-29.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23 24 through October 1 2 and October 2-8 3-9.

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

3. General gun – November 11-14 12-15 and 15-19 16-20.

4. Small game –December 8-10 9-11, 15-17 16-18; January 5-7 6-8, 12-14 13-15; February 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 18-21 19-22.

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

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-29 24-30, September 30 through October 8 1-9 and October 9-15 10-16.

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

3. Family hunt – November 11-12 12-13.

4. General gun – November 13-19 14-20.

5. Wild hog-still –December 2-8 3-9 and 9-17 10-18.

6. Small game – January 8-23 9-24.

7. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, March 29 30 through April 1 2 and April 5-8 6-9.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited except any dog may be used to take small game during small game season. The take of wild hog with dog is prohibited.

2. through 4. No change.

(32) Lake Monroe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Furbearers – During the zonal antlered deer season only except that bobcat and otter may be taken only after December 1 November 30.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during the small game and migratory game bird seasons and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season.

3. No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October September 29 30 through October 5 6, October 6-12 7-13 and 13-21 14-22.

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

3. General gun – November 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20 and December 1-3 2-4.

4. Small game – December 9-17 10-18 and January 6-12 7-13.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 17-20 18-21, 23-26 24-27 and March 30 31 through April 2 3.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 5. No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 16-22 17-23, 23-29 24-30, September 30 through October 6 1-7, and October 7-13 8-14 and 14-22 15-23.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 3-5 4-6.

3. General gun – November 17-19 18-20, 24-26 25-27 and December 1-3 2-4.

4. No change.

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

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers for the take of small game is prohibited except that any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season.

2. 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 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 8-11-11, 7-1-12, 7-26-12, 7-1-13, 9-9-13, 7-1-14, 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