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: Apalachicola WMA, Bradwell Unit – establish three 3-day family hunts (quota of 5 per hunt, no exemptions, in December, January and February) with a bag limit of one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit; and move a week of small game hunting from December to November. Econfina Creek WMA – allow raccoon hunting at night during the raccoon season without a quota permit in the dog hunt and still hunt areas (excluding the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek and Fitzhugh Carter areas); clarify that vehicles are allowed to be operated only on named or numbered roads throughout the year; and prohibit the take of bobcat and otter in the Fitzhugh Carter area. Joe Budd WMA – prohibit the take of antlerless deer during the last two archery hunts (total of five 3-day hunts). Lafayette Creek WMA –- allow persons to through-hike on the Florida National Scenic Trail year round. Pine Log WMA – extend the archery and spring turkey seasons by seven days each (16 to 23 days each, no quota permit required). Proposed rule amendments would also amend or clarify language related to the use of guns for taking wildlife. Additionally, the proposed rule amendments would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections and language standardization.