The purpose of the proposed rule change is to eliminate the rules for the Robert Brent Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). The effect would be that the area would be removed from the WMA system; at the request of the landowner.

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-15.063: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule change is to eliminate the rules for the Robert Brent Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). The effect would be that the area would be removed from the WMA system; at the request of the landowner.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule change would eliminate the rules for the Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area at the request of the landowner.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 379.2223 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 379.2223 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, June 17-18, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day
PLACE: Plantation Inn, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, Florida
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: Jim Antista, General Counsel, Legal Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region.

(1) through (7) No change.

(8) Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 and December 12 through February 3.

2. Small game – November 14-25, November 30 through December 11 and February 4 through March 7.

3. Spring turkey – March 20 through April 25.

4. Archery – October 17 through November 15.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28.

7. Dove – During the mourning dove and white-winged dove season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

9. Trapping – January 1 through March 1 by permit from the Panama City regional office only.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 26-29 and from December 12-23. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.

(c) Camping: Prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.

2. Vehicles may be operated only on established roads. Vehicle access and use may be further modified in the event of a reduction in acreage in the WMA.

3. Vehicular access will be limited to designated hunting days and for a period of one week prior to the archery and general gun seasons for scouting. Hunters shall enter and exit the area through Road 2 or Road 1 only.

4. Taking wildlife with dogs other than bird dogs is prohibited.

5. Taking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from right-of-way of State Road 65 is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

6. Hunters shall check in and out at a designated check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken, during the muzzleloading gun, general gun and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons.

7. Taking or attempting to take wildlife on, upon or from the rights-of-way of any named or numbered road is prohibited.

(9) through (26) renumbered (8) through (27) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: As soon as possible following Commission action.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History– New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09,________.

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.W.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane 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, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 5, 2008