The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to establish regulations for taking ducks, geese, and coots to conform with federal regulations. The effect of the proposed rule amendment would be to establish an aggregate ....

 

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 amendment is to establish regulations for taking ducks, geese, and coots to conform with federal regulations. The effect of the proposed rule amendment would be to establish an aggregate sea duck dialy bag limit, and to eliminate the restriction on the daily bag limit of hooded mergansers.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment updates the hunting regulations pertaining to ducks, geese, and coots.

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, Florida Statutes

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

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting May 3-4, 2022, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida, 32607

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)(a) throught (d) No change.

(e) 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 four sea ducks, to include no more than three scoters, three long-tailed ducks or three eiders, of which only one can be a female eider; 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 (red-breasted, common, hooded) is five, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.

2. through 3. No change.

(2) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.; 379.2223 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.; 379.2223 FS. 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, 7-1-20,            .

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT TIME 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: May 4, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 15, 2022