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-15.065: Specific 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 – shift the second general gun hunt 1 day later to allow for a scout day in between the 2 hunts; and shift the second spring turkey hunt 1 day later to allow for a scout day in between the 2 hunts.

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

Dunns Creek WMA – establish a 4-day general gun hunt (Thursday – Sunday) in December (quota of 15, no exemptions).

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

Half Moon WMA – shift the general gun season 1 week later to allow for a weekend between the muzzleloader gun and the first general gun hunt; shift spring turkey season forward to begin on the opening weekend of the zonal spring turkey season; and during small game season, allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds).

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

Jumper Creek WMA – expand small game season from 21 to 62 days; and during small game season, allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds).

Richloam WMA - establish a small game season beginning the day after the general gun season ends and continuing to the end of the zonal gray squirrel season.

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

Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – allow vehicle access during small game and September duck seasons by permit from the Florida Forest Service.

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

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

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

 

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; Section 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:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 10 - 11, 2016, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute – 75 College Drive, Havana, FL 32333

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 5-6 7-8 and November 7 9 through January 1 3.

2. Small game – January 2 4 through March 5 6.

3. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 23 24.

4. Archery – September 17-18 19-20 and September 19 21 through October 16 18.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season. During other seasons, only bird dogs are allowed for taking small game. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 12 14 through January 8 10 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

2. General gun dog – November 12 14 through 20 22 (Church Lake Unit only).

3. General gun still – November 26 28 through December 4 6 (Church Lake Unit only).

4. Small game – December 5 7 through March 5 6 (Church Lake Unit only) and January 9 11 through March 5 6 (Pipeline, Lake Delancy and Hopkins Prairie units only).

5. Archery – September 24 26 through October 23 25.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1, in on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy units only.

7. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 12 14 through April 16 17.

8. September duck – During In the September duck season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

9. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13 (Lake Delancy Unit only).

10. Spring turkey – March 23-26 24-27, March 30 31 through April 2 3, April 6-9 7-10 and 13-16 14-17.

11. through 14. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 12 14 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 6 7 through April 16 17 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 9 11 through April 16 17, 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 bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during small game, special 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 9 11 through April 16 17 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 19-27 21-29 and November 28 30 through January 15 17.

2. Spring turkey – March 18-26 19-27 and March 27 28 through April 23 24.

3. Archery – October 15 17 through November 13 15.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 16 18 through March 1.

6. Wild hog-dog – April 28-30 29 through May 1.

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

8. No change.

9. Small Game – the day following the close of the general gun season through the end of the gray squirrel season established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Any dog may be used to take small game during the small game season. The taking of wild hog by the use of dogs is prohibited, except during the wild hog-dog season.

6. through 8. No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 29 31 through November 1 3, November 2-6 4-8 and 7-13 9-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 19-21 21-23.

3. General gun – January 16-19 18-21 and 20-24 22-26.

4. Wild hog-still – January 25-27 27-29.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, 24-26 25-27 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5-6 7-8 and November 7 9 through January 1 3.

2. Small game – January 2 4 through March 5 6.

3. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 23 24.

4. Archery – September 17-18 19-20 and September 19 21 through October 16 18.

5. September duck – During In the September duck seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., in that area between Prairie Lakes Unit and Canoe Creek Road only.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26.

7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

8. General gun-dog – December 8-11 10-13 and December 29 31 through January 1 3.

9. through 10. No change.

11. Raccoon – January 13-15 15-17, 20-22 22-24 and 27-29 29-31 (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 11-12 12-13.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs is prohibited except dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less may be used for deer hunting east of the Florida Turnpike during the general gun-dog season; any dog dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used to take small game during the small game season; and any dog dogs of any size may be used to hunt raccoon during the raccoon season.

5. through 11. No change.

(e) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9 9-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 18-20 20-22 and 25-27 27-29.

4. Small game – December 10 12 through January 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, March 31 through April 2 1-3 and April 14-16 15-17.

7. No change.

8. Wild hog-still – December 2-4, 4-6 and January 6-8 8-10, 27-29 29-31 and February 24-26 26-28.

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 5. No change.

(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5-13 7-15 and November 14 16 through January 1 3.

2. Archery – September 17 19 through October 16 18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26.

4. Small game – January 2 4 through March 5 6.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, March 30 31 through April 3 4 and April 13-16 14-17.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 12-20 14-22.

2. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

4. Small game – November 24 26 through January 1 3.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

       6. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, March 31 through April 2 1-3 and April 14-16 15-17.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 6-9 8-11 and 13-16 15-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-30 29 through November 1 and November 3-6 5-8.

3. General gun – November 17-20 19-22 and 25-27 27-29.

       4. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, March 31 through April 2  1-3 and April 14-16 15-17.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 13-19 15-21 and February 10-16 12-18.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 7-9 9-11 and 14-16 16-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1 and November 4-6 6-8.

3. General gun – November 18-20 20-22.

4. Small game – November 26-27 28-29, December 3-4 5-6, 10-11 12-13 and January 7-8 9-10.

       5. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, 24-26 25-27 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

6. Wild hog-dog – January 28-29 30-31 and January 30 through February 3 1-5.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17 19 through October 16 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26.

3. General gun – November 5-13 7-15 and November 14 16 through January 1 3.

4. Small game – January 2 through March 5 4-24.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 23 24.

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 waterfowl retrievers may be used during small game and September duck seasons, and any dog bird dogs may be used to take small game during small game season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

4. No change.

(12) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9 9-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26 and 28-30 October 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 11-13 13-15 and 18-20 20-22.

4. Small game – December 3-4 5-6, 10-11 12-13 and January 7-8 9-10.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Duck, light goose and coot – Lake Ponte Vedra shall be open during in 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.

2. General gun – November 18-20 20-22 and 25-27 27-29.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26 and 28-30 October 30 through November 1.

4. Archery – October 7-9 9-11 and 14-16 16-18.

5. Small game – December 2-4 4-6, 9-11 11-13, January 6-8 8-10, 13-15 15-17, 20-22 22-24 and 27-29 29-31.

       6. Spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, bear (only during those portions of the general gun for mobility impaired season and the muzzleloading gun season that coincide with the open season established for the Central BMU in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C.), fish, frogs and furbearers. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. 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. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during the spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Taking wild hog during the last two weekends of the small game season is prohibited. Legal shooting hours for duck, light goose and coot: From the beginning of legal shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. Only one turkey may be taken per quota permit.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during small game season and waterfowl season and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. through 17. No change.

(e) No change.

(14) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 7-9 9-11 and 14-16 16-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 12-14 7-9 and 18-20 13-15.

4. Small game –December 2-4 4-6, 9-11 11-13 and 16-18 18-20.

5. Wild hog-still – January 13-15 15-17, 20-22 22-24 and 27-29 29-31.

6. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

7. Spring turkey – March 18-20 25-27, 24-26 April 1-3 and March 31 through April 2 8-10.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

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

3. through 7. No change.

(15) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 2 4.

2. Supervised small game – October 8-16 10-18.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

4. General gun – November 12-15 14-17 and 16-20 18-22.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 24 26 through January 8 10 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).

8. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 22-26 23-27.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the general gun season and small game seasons and on the posted dove fields during special-opportunity dove hunts, and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season. Taking wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. through 7. No change.

(16) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17 19 through October 16 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1 and November 4-6 6-8.

3. General gun – November 12-15 14-17, 16-20 18-22 and 21-27 23-29.

4. Small game – November 28 30 through March 5 6.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, March 30 31 through April 2 3 and April 13-16 14-17.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 26 28 through December 11 13 and December 24 26 through January 8 10.

2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 18-24 19-25, April 1-7 2-8 and 15-21 16-22.

3. No change.

4. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

6. General gun – November 12-20 14-22.

(b) through (e) No change.

(18) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-27 26-29 and September 28 30 through October 2 4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun –December 3-6 5-8 and 7-11 9-13.

4. Small game – January 14-29 16-31 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 18-22 19-23 and March 25-29 26-30.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 21-23 23-25.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Wild hog-still – January 27-29 29-31, February 3-5 5-7, 10-12 12-14 and 17-19 19-21.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 15-21 17-23 and October 29 31 through November 4 6.

3. Small game – November 26 28 through January 22 24.

4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 18-24 19-25, April 1-7 2-8 and 15-21 16-22.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

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

4. through 8. No change.

(20) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 24-26 and October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 10-13 12-15, 17-20 19-22 and 24-27 26-29.

4. Small game – November 28 30 through the first weekend in January.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, 24-27 25-28 and March 31 through April 3 1-4.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 6 2-8, October 7-13 9-15 and 14-22 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 4-6 6-8 and 11-13 13-15.

3. General gun – November 18-20 20-22, 25-27 27-29 and December 2-4 4-6.

4. Small game – December 10-25 12-27.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, 23-26 24-27 and March 30 31 through April 2 3.

6. No change.

7. September duck – During In the September duck seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 23-26 24-27, April 4-7 5-8 and 20-23 21-24.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 22-25 24-27, October 4-7 6-9, 13-16 15-18, 25-28 27-30, November 3-6 5-8, 15-18 17-20, December 6-9 8-11 and 15-18 17-20.

3. Wild hog-still – January 13-15 15-17.

4. Wild hog-dog – January 27-29 29-31 and February 24-26 26-28.

5. Small game –February 3-5 5-7 and 10-12 12-14.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-25 25-27.

2. Supervised small game – October 15-21 17-23, November 19-25 21-27, December 17-23 19-25 and January 14-20 16-22.

3. Spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 2 4 and October 8-14 10-16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 12-15 14-17 and 17-21 18-22.

4. Small game – December 3-18 5-20.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 23-27.

6. Wild hog-still – December 30 through January 29 1-31.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – October 29 31 through November 4 6.

2. Small game – December 10-25 12-27.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 18-24 19-25, April 1-7 2-8 and 15-21 16-22.

4. Wild hog-still – November 11-13 13-15, 18-20 20-22, 25-27 27-29; January 31 through February 2 2-4 and February 7-9 9-11.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Gores Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 12-20 14-22.

4. Small game –December 3-18 5-20.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 22-26 23-27.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-25 24-27 and September 29 through October 2 1-4.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-30 29 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 10-13 12-15.

4. Wild hog-still – November 18-20 20-22, December 16-18 18-20 and January 13-15 15-17.

5. Small game – January 6-8 8-10, 20-22 22-24 and 27-29 29-31.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21 and 24-26 25-27.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and from the Monday prior to through one day prior to their scheduled hunts. During small game and September duck seasons vehicle access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

4. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service.

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

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17 19 through October 16 18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 24 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 5 7 through January 15 17.

4. Small game – January 16 18 through March 5 6.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 23 24.

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 19-20 21-22. 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 5 7 through January 1 3.

(c) through (d) No change.

(29) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11 and November 19-27 21-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29 31 through November 6 8.

3. General gun – December 8–11.

4.3. Wild hog-still – January 21-29 23-31.

5.4. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, March 31 through April 2 1-3 and April 14-16 15-17.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 2 4 and October 3-9 5-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1.

3. General gun – November 12-15 14-17 and 16-20 18-22.

4. Small game – December 9-11 11-13, 16-18 18-20; January 6-8 8-10, 13-15 15-17; February 10-12 12-14, 17-19 19-21.

5. Wild hog-dog – January 19-22 21-24.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 22-26 23-27.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

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

2. through 9. No change.

(31) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-30 26 through October  2, October 1-9 3-11 and 10-16 October 12-18.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1 and November 4-6 6-8.

3. Family hunt – November 12-13 14-15.

4. General gun – November 14-20 16-22.

5. Wild hog-still – December 3-9 5-11 and 10-18 12-20.

6. Small game – January 9-24 11-26.

7. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, March 30 31 through April 2 3 and April 6-9 7-10.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) No change.

(33) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 30 through October 6 October 2-8, October 7-13 9-15 and 14-22 16-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 30 through November 1 and November 4-6 6-8.

3. General gun – November 11-13 13-15, 18-20 20-22 and December 2-4 4-6.

4. Small game – December 10-18 12-20 and January 7-13 9-15.

5. Youth turkey hunt – March 11-12 12-13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, 24-27 25-28 and March 31 through April 3 1-4.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17-23 19-25, 24-30 September 26 through October 2, October 1-7, 3-9 and 8-14 10-16 and 15-23 17-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun –November 4-6 6-8.

3. General gun – November 18-20 20-22, 25-27 27-29 and December 2-4 4-6.

4. No change.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, 24-26 25-27 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2016

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.

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 19, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2015