The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise hunting regulations regarding methods of take and legal game on Public Small Game Hunting Areas. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to remove restrictions ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-13.007Hunting Regulations on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise hunting regulations regarding methods of take and legal game on Public Small Game Hunting Areas. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to remove restrictions on hunting dogs, allow the take of additional species, and expand shooting hours for certain species.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment adjusts current regulations by removing restrictions on shoulder height of hunting dogs, allowing the take of non-protected birds, and expanding shooting hours for doves and waterfowl.

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: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

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

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 21-22, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Marriott Jacksonville, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256.

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: Paul Scharine, Public Hunting Areas Program Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-13.007 Hunting Regulations on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas.

(1) No change.

(2) The general regulations for public small-game hunting areas shall be as follows:

(a) Legal game for each public small-game hunting area shall be as identified in the specific area regulations. Legal game shall be limited to small game, non-protected birds, frogs, and all legal fish, except that wild hogs may be included as legal game when necessary for management purposes, and alligators and alligator eggs and hatchlings may be established as legal to take pursuant to Rules 68A-25.031, 68A-25.032 and 68A-25.042, F.A.C.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) Dogs Waterfowl retrievers, bird dogs, and other dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less may be used for hunting during open seasons unless prohibited by specific area regulation. Dogs may be possessed, under physical restraint only, during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.

(e) Shooting hours for ducks, geese, and coots, and mourning and white-winged doves – During From the beginning of the shooting hours established pursuant to Rules Rule 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., unless otherwise provided by area-specific regulation until 12:00 noon. Shooting hours for mourning doves and white-winged doves – Noon to sunset. Shooting hours for other legal game shall be provided by specific area regulation.

(f) through (n) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 10-4-82, Formerly 39-13.07, Amended 7-1-89, 7-1-96, Formerly 39-13.007, Amended 4-30-00, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-23.

 

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: 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: November 30, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 08, 2022