Summary


The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to proposed changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., adjust how some season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows: Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA – allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season; and prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season. Caravelle Ranch WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; and prohibit camping except in designated campsites from 8:00 a.m. one day prior to each established hunt through 6:00 p.m. one day after each established hunt (except dove hunts). Gores Landing WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Guana River WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; and change all references of “common moorhen” to “common gallinule.” Half Moon WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; shift the January wild hog-still hunts 6 weeks earlier into December; shift the December small game season 6 weeks into January; and allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season. Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Lake Panasoffkee WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season; change the wild hog-still hunt into a small game hunt; allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season; prohibit the use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season; and shift the small game hunts 4 weeks earlier to better overlap the waterfowl season. Little Big Econ WMA – allow vehicular access through the Winding River Lane entrance during the September duck season. Matanzas WMA – remove the quota requirement for the wild hog-still season. Ocala WMA – remove the requirement that no deer or turkey shall be dismembered or transported out of the hunt area until checked at a check station. Salt Lake WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Three Lakes WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lake Unit – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Triple N Ranch WMA – allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.