22843905, 68A-15.062 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 22843905

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.062

Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendments would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:

Bayard WMA – allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest; and allow the youth turkey non-hunting guest to camp in Area 3 with the youth turkey quota permit holder.
Big Shoals WMA – allow the use of dogs to hunt small game during small game season.
Camp Blanding WMA – change the general gun dog hunt from two 9-day hunts (320 no-cost quota permits each hunt, exemptions allowed) to one 10-day and one 11-day hunt (200 no-cost quota permits, exemptions allowed); during the wild hog-dog season allow hunting only from 1½ hours after sunset until 1½ hours before sunrise, and shift the January wild hog-dog season hunt to occur following the close of zonal deer season; and allow scouting the day before each youth spring turkey hunt.
Gulf Hammock WMA – allow nighttime raccoon hunting with the use of dogs during small game season.
Hatchet Creek WMA – allow each family and youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.
Holton Creek WMA – move the last (December) general gun mobility-impaired hunt to the 3rd weekend in November.
Mallory Swamp WMA – remove the shoulder height requirement for hunting dogs.
Raiford WMA – allow access year-round for fishing through designated entrances.
Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit – allow each family and youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.
Troy Springs WMA – establish a spring turkey season with three 3-day hunts (no quota permit required, Friday-Sunday).
Twin Rivers WMA – remove the zone tag requirement during the family hunt.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendments would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313 Florida Statutes.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/22/2020 Vol. 46/14

COMMENTS:

From 1/22/2020 To 2/12/2020 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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