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 Northwest Region as follows: Blackwater WMA, Hutton Unit – increase the antler point restriction for all antlered deer hunts to a minimum of 4 points on at least one antler or one antler with a main beam of fourteen inches or more in length. Chipola River WMA – expand the general gun season by 14 days to encompass the rut; begin the archery/muzzleloading gun season 3 weeks later to accommodate the general gun season expansion; during established seasons, restrict the take of deer and wild hog within the Hayes Spring Run and Waddell Mill Creek areas to archery equipment only; and, prohibit the take of wildlife with centerfire rifles and centerfire pistols in the Hayes Spring Run and Waddell Mill Creek areas. Choctawhatchee River WMA – establish five 3-day wild hog-dog hunts (1 per month from May through September) across still and dog hunt areas (except in Holmes Creek Unit) that allow hunting during the day and at night with the aid of a light and firearm. Eglin WMA – require the use of remote tracking (GPS) and correctional collar devices when hunting hogs with dogs. Plank Road WMA – expand the second spring turkey quota hunt from 2 days to 3 days. Tate’s Hell WMA, Womack Creek Unit – establish a 13-day wild hog-dog season beginning the day following the general gun-dog season and ending 12 days thereafter. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.