The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise regulations on the tagging of and evidence of sex requirements for certain game. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-12.003Protection of Certain Deer and Turkey; Tagging of Deer and Turkey; Evidence of Sex Required

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise regulations on the tagging of and evidence of sex requirements for certain game. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would require a hunters Customer ID number to be included on tags affixed to each portion of a deer or turkey that has been dismembered in the field; require positive evidence of sex to remain affixed on all bear taken until checked at a check station; and prohibit the dismemberment of a harvested bear until checked at a check station. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of existing provisions.

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.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting June 23-25, 2015, 1:30 p.m. on the first day and 8:30 a.m. each day thereafter.

PLACE: Hyatt Regency, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236.

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-12.003 Protection of Certain Deer and Turkey; Tagging of Deer, Bear, and Turkey; Evidence of Sex Required.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Deer and turkey may be dismembered in the field or camp but each portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name, address, FWC Recreational Licensing Issuance Services Customer ID hunting license number (if a hunting license is required) of the person who killed it, the date and location at which it was taken, and shall be readily traceable to the portion of the animal bearing the sex identification.

(4) Positive evidence of sex identification in the form of testicles, penis, penis sheath, udder or vulva shall remain naturally attached to the carcass of all bear taken and shall remain attached until the bear is checked at a Commisssion designated check station.

(5) No bear shall be dismembered until checked at a Commission designated check station. Bear may be dismembered in the camp or field after being checked at a Commission designated check station but each portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name, address, and FWC Recreational Licensing Issuance Services Customer ID number of the person who killed it.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 5-19-80, 6-21-82, Formerly 39-12.03, Amended 4-11-90, Formerly 39-12.003, Amended                .

 

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: April 15, 2015

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