Summary


The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region as follows: Chassahowitzka WMA – remove reference to Swamp Grade when describing dog hunt area, this road no longer exists; and allow wild turkey to be hunted in the Annuteliga Hammock (the area east of US Highway 19) during spring turkey season. Green Swamp West WMA - change allowed vehicle access times on the day preceding special opportunity spring turkey season hunts (scout day) from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset to 1½ hours before sunrise until 3:00 p.m. Everglades Headwaters WMA, Hatchineha Unit – allow 1 additional non-hunting guest on family and youth turkey hunts. Hilochee WMA – expand small game season by 7 days (from 17 to 24 days) at the beginning of the season; and establish a 3-day general gun hunt opening the Saturday following the close of muzzleloading gun season (10 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions). Hilochee WMA, Osprey Unit – establish a 3-day general gun hunt opening the Saturday following the close of muzzleloading gun season (10 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions). Upper Hillsborough WMA - change the quota hunt for wild hog-dog from 20, no cost, quota permits (no exemptions) to 20, no-cost, daily quota permits available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.