The purpose of the proposed rule amendments is to establish regulations for taking ducks, geese, and coots to conform with federal regulations. The effect of the proposed rule amendments would be to add two Veterans / Military Waterfowl Hunt Days, ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-13.003Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendments is to establish regulations for taking ducks, geese, and coots to conform with federal regulations. The effect of the proposed rule amendments would be to add two Veterans / Military Waterfowl Hunt Days, reduce the bag limit for scaup, and to adjust the length of the falconry waterfowl season.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments update the hunting regulations pertaining to the Veterans / Military Waterfowl Hunt Days, the daily bag limit of lesser scaup and season adjustments to falconry waterfowl season.

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, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: George Warthen, 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-13.003 Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots.

The Commission has approved the following regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese, and coots:

(1) Duck, light goose, and coot season:

(a) Open season:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Youth Waterfowl Hunt -  The Saturday prior to the opening of the first phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the second Saturday following the close of the second phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be under 16 years of age and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules may also be taken and bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

4. Veterans and Active Military Hunt - The first Saturday and Sunday following the close of the second phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be veterans or members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules may also be taken and bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.  

(b) In Leon County (except below or within the ordinary high water line for Lake Talquin and the Ochlockonee River) and below the ordinary high water line for Lake Miccosukee in Jefferson County, waterfowl hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the open season. In addition to Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, waterfowl hunting is permitted on Thanksgiving and the day after; December 24, 25, 26 and 31; January 1 and 2; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if occurring during the open season described in paragraph (1)(a), above); and the first, last, and next-to-the-last days of the open season in paragraph (1)(a)1. and 2., above.

(c) No change.

(d) In addition to the open season specified in paragraph (1)(a), above, a “Youth Waterfowl Hunt” will be held the Saturday prior to the opening of the first phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. above, and the second Saturday following the close of the second phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. above. Youth hunters must be under 16 years of age and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(f) and (4)(c). Common moorhens may also be taken on the “Youth Waterfowl Hunt;” bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

(d)(e) Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

(e)(f) Limits: The possession limit for ducks and coots shall be three days’ bag limit. There shall be no possession limit for light geese. Light geese include only snow (including blue) and Ross’ geese.

1. Ducks: The daily bag limit for ducks is six, including no more than: two mallards, of which only one can be female;, one scaup during the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the first 31 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2.; two scaup during the last 20 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. and the open seasons specified in subparagraphs 1(a)3. and 1(a)4.;, four scoters;, four eiders;, four long-tailed ducks;, three wood ducks;, two redheads;, one pintail;, two canvasbacks;, two black ducks;, one Florida duck (mottled duck);, and one fulvous whistling-duck. In addition to the daily bag limit for ducks, the daily bag limit for mergansers is five, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.

2. through 3. No change.

(3) through (4) No change.

(5) Falconry:

(a) No change.

(b) Open season for ducks (including mergansers), light geese, and coots: November 3 through November 12. Opening 8 days after the last Sunday in January and closing 2425 days thereafter. The open season specified in paragraphs (1)(a), (1)(d), and (3)(a) of this rule.

(c) Open season for Canada geese: The open season as specified in paragraph (1)(a)3., (1)(a)4.(1)(d), and subsection (4) of this rule.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2020

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 10-23-79, 8-19-80, 9-29-81, 8-30-82, 7-27-83, 8-13-84, 8-13-85, 10-1-85, Formerly 39-13.03, Amended 8-5-86, 8-24-87, 8-18-88, 12-12-88, 8-17-89, 10-30-89, 8-9-90, 10-31-90, 8-22-91, 10-31-91, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 9-2-93, 10-28-93, 11-6-94, 10-23-95, 10-20-96, 8-7-97, 10-28-97, 11-12-98, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-13.003, Amended 11-7-00, 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 2-1-06, 7-1-06, 1-9-07, 1-8-08, 7-1-08, 1-6-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 1-5-11, 3-25-12, 2-12-13, 1-23-14, 1-19-15, 12-21-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 8-13-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-19 (1)(f)1, 7-1-2020.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: George Warthen, 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: May 14, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 30, 2020