The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

68A-15.062: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:

Andrews WMA – shift family hunts 7 weeks later (in January); and establish two 3-day wild hog-still hunts in May (25 quota permits issued daily at the check station, no exemptions).

Big Bend WMA, Hickory Mound Unit – change the quota permit requirement during general gun season from the first 16 to the first 9 days of the season.

Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – remove the quota permit requirement during the youth spring turkey hunt; and during small game season, allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds).

Cary WMA – expand archery, general gun and wild hog-still seasons from 2 to 3 quota hunts each; and change the quota for archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-still seasons from 100 to 70 permits per hunt (no exemptions, except during archery season).

Cedar Key Scrub WMA – allow fishing.

Citrus WMA – change the archery season from 1 quota hunt (first 4 days, 1000 quota permits, exemptions allowed) and 19 days (no quota permit required) to 3 quota hunts (9, 7 and 7-days each, 500 quota permits per hunt, exemptions allowed); change the quota for muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons from 850 to 500 quota permits per hunt (exemptions allowed); and during small game season, allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds).

Flying Eagle WMA – allow hunting with rimfire rifles during general gun and small game seasons.

Lochloosa WMA – during the 3rd general gun season quota hunt, allow the use of dogs to hunt wild hog.

Log Landing WMA – establish a 9-day wild hog-still season in May (Saturday through Sunday, no quota permit required).

Osceola WMA – to resolve dog hunting related conflicts, revise the dog hunt area to remove the area created by traversing from County Road 250 west along Forest Service Road 200, north and east on Forest Road 4 to Forest Road 26, north on Forest Road 26 to Forest Road 3, then east on Forest Road 3 to Eddy Grade (move 5,065 acres from the 96,616-acre dog hunt area into the still hunt area); and to avoid overlap with muzzleloading gun season, shift dog training season 1 day later.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendments would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Archery – September 27-29 29 through October 1 and October 4-6 6-8, only in the still hunt areas; and the Monday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 55 days thereafter in the archery-only area, which is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery-only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.

6. No change.

7. Muzzleloading gun – October 11-13 13-15 and 18-20 20-22, only in the still hunt areas.

8. No change.

9. Trapping – December 1 through January 8 10, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Spring turkey – March 18-26 19-27.

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

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

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5 7 through January 22 24.

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

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

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

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – October 22 24 through November 4 6.

6. Small game – January 28 30 through February 26 28.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5-18 7-20, November 19 21 through December 4 6 and December 5 7 through January 1 3.

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

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

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

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

6. No change.

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

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Taking wild hog by the use of dogs is prohibited, except during the last 28 days of general gun season.

2. through 6. No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 12 14 through January 8 10.

2. Small game – January 9 11 through March 5 6.

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

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

5. Archery – September 24 26 through October 16 18.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-29 24-31 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

7. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – November 12 14 through March 5 6 in the dog hunt portion of the area.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. The dog hunt area is within the area created by traversing south on Forest Service Road 237 from its intersection with the north boundary of the Osceola National Forest; southeast on Forest Service Road 263; south on Forest Service Road 234; east and north on County Road 250; west on Forest Service Road 200, north and east on Forest Road 4 to Forest Road 26; north on Forest Road 26 to Forest Road 3; east on Forest Road 3 to Eddy Grade to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; north along the east boundary of the West 1/2 of Section 3, Township 1 South, Range 20 East; west along the Base Line until it intersects Forest Road 24; northwest on Forest Road 24; north on Forest Road 4; east on Forest Road 3 to Eddy Grade; northwesterly on Eddy Grade to State Road 2; northwest on State Road 2; southwest on Forest Service Road 295; west on Forest Service Road 296F; south on Forest Service Road 296C; east and south on Forest Service Road 296E; south on Forest Service Road 295; south on Forest Service Road 297 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; then due west to the northwest corner of Section 23, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then south along the east side of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East to the southeast corner of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then west to the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then north along the west boundary of the East 1/2 of the West 1/2 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the south boundary of Section 20, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then west along the north boundary of Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the Baker County/Columbia County line; then south along the County Line to Forest Road 36; south to Forest Road 46; south on Forest Road 39; west on Forest Road 42 until it becomes Forest Service Road 212; south on Forest Service Road 212; west on Forest Service Road 272; north on Forest Service Road 270 to the Forest Boundary; then west back to the beginning point of Forest Service Road 237. Except within the dog hunt areas, the possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 30 31 through November 8 9, except in the still hunt area.

3. through 7. No change.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5 7 through January 1 3.

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

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

4. Small game – January 2 4 through February 26 28.

5. through 6. No change.

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

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

9. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

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

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5-13 7-15, 14-20 16-22 and November 21 23 through January 1 3.

2. Small game – January 2 4 through February 26 28.

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

4. Archery – October 1-30 3 through November 1.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from September 1 through April 30 except that Ward Tram will be open to vehicles only during the general gun season. From May 1 through August 31, motorized vehicles may be operated only on Cow Creek Grade, Coker Road, Swartz Tram west of J.C. Franklin Grade and J.C. Franklin Grade.

9. through 13. No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – Sepember 24 26 through October 23 25.

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

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

4. Small game – January 2 4 through February 26 28.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 5-13 7-15 and 14-27 16-29.

4. Small game – December 17 19 through February 12 14.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 18-26 19-27, March 27 28 through April 2 3 and April 3-9 4-10.

7. Trapping – January 7 9 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Hunting with dogs other than waterfowl retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited, except any dog 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.

6. through 7. No change.

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 5-13 7-15, Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and December 24-27 26-29.

4. Wild hog-still – December 31 through January 3 2-5.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 18-26 19-27 and April 6-9 7-10.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5-13 7-15.

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

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

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, antlerless deer (during archery season only), wild hog, and gray squirrel and fish. Taking any other animal is prohibited. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age.

(c) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-25 25-27 and September 30 through October 2 2-4.

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

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

4. Small game – December 30 through January 1 1-3, January 6-8 8-10, and 13-15 15-17.

5. Family hunt – January 21-22 and 28-29 December 5-6 and December 12-13.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27 and April 14-16 15-17.

8. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 22-23 24-25 and October 29-30 31 through November 1.

9. Wild hog-still – May 5-7 and 12-14.

9. renumbered 10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. During the family hunt, only wild hog and furbearers may be taken. During the supervised deer-hog youth hunt, only antlered deer, antlerless deer by anterless deer permit only, and wild hog may be taken. Wild hog may not be taken during the small game season. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog may be taken. Gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken during spring turkey season from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(c) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26 28 through October 1 3, October 3-8 5-10 and October 10-15 12-17.

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

3. No change.

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

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-30 26 through October 2 and October 1-9 3-11.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

4. General gun – November 7-13 9-15 and 14-20 16-22.

5. No change.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27 and April 14-16 15-17.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-27 26-29 September 28 30 through October 1 3, October 2-5 4-7 and 6-9 8-11.

2. Supervised small game – October 15-23 17-25, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek.

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

4. Bird dog training – November 21 23 through December 18 20 in the quail enhancement area and in the Normandy Unit only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through January; except that bird dog training is prohibited during the archery season.

5. General gun – November 5-8 7-10, 9-12 11-14, 13-16 15-18 and 17-20 19-22.

6. Family hunt – December 24-25 26-27.

7. Small game – January 6 8 through February 5 7, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

8. Wild hog-still – February 10-12 12-14, 17-19 19-21, May 5-7 6-8, 19-21 20-22 and June 2-4 3-5.

9. No change.

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

11. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, 21-23 22-24 and 24-26 25-27.

12. through 13. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 14-16 16-18, October 28-30 30 through November 1, November 4-6 6-8 and December 16-18 18-20.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27 and April 14-16 15-17.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 16 18.

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

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 5-7 7-9, 8-10 10-12 and 11-14 13-16.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 18-20 20-22, 21-24 23-26 and 25-28 27-30.

5. Family hunt – December 31 through January 1 2-3.

6. Small game – January 7 9 through February 5 7.

7. Spring turkey – March 18-24 19-25, March 25 26 through April 2 3 and April 3-9 4-10.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 9-11 11-13 and December 30 through January 1 1-3.

2. Small game – January 2 4 through February 26 28.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 2-4 4-6 and December 16-18 18-20.

4. Archery – November 5-13, 14-20 and 21-27 7-29.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 22-25, April 4-7 5-8 and 18-21 19-22.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Any dog Only bird dogs may be used to take small game for hunting during the small game season. The take of wild hog with dogs is prohibited. Except during the small game season, authorized training and field trials, the possession or use of dogs is prohibited except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

2. through 11. No change.

(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 1-4 3-6 and 7-11 9-13.

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

3. General gun – November 5-8 7-10 and 11-15 13-17.

4. Small game – November 25-27 27-29 and December 16-18 18-20.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 24-28 25-29.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Taking wildlife with centerfire or rimfire rifles is prohibited.

4. through 9. No change.

(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22 and 24-28 25-29.

2. Archery – October 6-9 8-11 and 12-16 14-18.

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

4. Wild hog-dog – November 18-20 20-22.

5. Small game – February 3-5 5-7, 17-19 19-21 and March 3-5 4-6.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-16 15-18, October 27-30 29 through November 1 and November 3-6 5-8.

2. Small game – November 11 13 through December 4 6 and December 24 26 through January 15 17.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 18-24 19-25 and April 1-7 2-8.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17-20 19-22, 21-25 23-27 and September 26-30 28 through October 2.

2. Family hunt – October 8-9 10-11 and 15-16 17-18.

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

4. General gun – November 5-8 7-10 and 9-13 11-15.

5. Small game – November 19 21 through December 18 20.

6. Wild hog-still – January 16 18 through February 12 14.

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

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

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Mallory Swamp 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 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 12 14 through January 8 10.

4. Small game – January 9 11 through February 19 21.

5. Wild hog-dog – February 25 27 through March 12 13.

6. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 2 3.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 9 11 through March 1.

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 5 7 through December 1 3 and December 2 4 through January 1 3.

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

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

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

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 (d) No change.

(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26 26-28, October 1-3 3-5 and 8-10 10-12.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

4. Small game – November 26 28 through January 8 10.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21 and March 31 through April 2 1-3.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 12 14 through January 8 10, except on Sundays.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24 26 through October 9 11 and November 12-20 14-22.

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

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

4. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22 24 through November 4 6.

3. General gun – November 5 7 through January 8 10.

4. Small game – January 9 11 through March 5 6.

5. No change.

6. Trapping – December 1 through January 8 10.

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

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

9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. General gun – November 5-13 7-15 and November 14 16 through December 4 6.

4. Small game – December 24 26 through January 29 31.

5. Wild hog-dog –February 3-5 5-7, 17-19 19-21 and 24-26 26-28.

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

7. Spring turkey – March 18-21 19-22, 22-26 23-27 and March 27 28 through April 9 10.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26, 26-28 and September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

4. General gun – November 11-13, 13-15 18-20 and 25-27 27-29.

5. Small game – December 2 4 through January 8 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – January 27-29 29-31 and February 3-5 and 17-19 19-21.

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

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 19-27 21-29.

2. Archery – September 17-25 19-27.

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

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 8-11 10-13.

5. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

6. Small game – December 12-25 14-27 and January 28 30 through February 5 7.

7. No change.

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

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 8-23 10-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 31 through November 2.

3. Small game – January 16 18 through February 26 28.

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

5. Spring turkey – March 18-26 19-27.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(36) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26 26-28, September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9 9-11.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8 and 19-20 21-22.

4. General gun – November 10-13 12-15 and 23-27 25-29.

5. Small game – December 2 4 through January 8 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. No change.

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

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

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26 26-28, September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9 9-11.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

4. General gun – November 11-13 13-15, 18-20 20-22 and 25-27 27-29.

5. Small game – December 2 4 through January 8 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Wild hog-still – February 9-12 11-14.

7. No change.

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

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

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(38) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 23-25 25-27, September 30 through October 2 2-4 and October 7-9 9-11.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

4. General gun – November 11-13 13-15 and 25-27 27-29.

5. No change.

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

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

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(39) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 17 19 through October 16 18 and November 4-13 6-15 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 24 through November 1, November 18-27 20-29 and December 23 25 through January 1 3 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game –December 2-18 4-20 and January 6 8 through February 12 14 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. No change.

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

6. Spring turkey – March 18 19 through April 23 24 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Wild hog-still – May 6-14.

7. renumbered 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers, except that the take of turkey other than bearded turkey or gobbler is prohibited during the archery season. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with two or more points is prohibited, except by persons less than 16 years of age. The take of antlerless deer, gobbler or bearded turkey during the archery season is allowed only during the first 14 days. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.

(c) through (d) No change.

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

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-26 26-28, October 3-5 5-7 and 10-12 12-14.

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

3. Family hunt – November 5-6 7-8.

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

5. Small game –December 2-7 4-9, 12-14 14-16, 23-25 25-27, December 30 through January 1 1-3 and January 9-11 11-13.

6. No change.

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

8. Spring turkey – March 18-20 19-21, 27-29 28-30 and April 3-5 4-6.

9. 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 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 10-9-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 8-26-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16.

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