22844293, 68A-15.065 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 22844293

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.065

Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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 amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:

Charles H. Bronson WMA - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.
Little Big Econ WMA - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.
Richloam WMA - allow limited fishing (hook and line only) in designated areas at the fish hatchery.
Seminole Forest WMA - prohibit public access during the mobility-impaired hunts except for individuals participating in the hunts, their assistants and through-hikers on the Florida National Scenic Trail. 
Seminole Forest WMA - Lake Tracy Unit - allow each youth turkey quota permit holder to bring 1 additional non-hunting guest.
 Silver Springs Forest WMA - establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (4,900 acres) in Marion County as follows: one 16-day archery hunt (20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); one 3-day muzzleloading gun season (20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), one 9-day general gun hunt (quota of 20 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); a 2-day youth turkey hunt (5 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); two 4-day (Thurs – Sun) spring turkey hunts (5 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions); a small game season from the last weekend in November through the first weekend in January (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, walk-in access only); each youth turkey quota permit holder may bring 1 additional non-hunting guest; fishing and frogging year round; allow the take of all legal game, wild turkey, fish, frogs and furbearers excluding bobcat and otter; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points or a 10-inch main beam; hunting wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited, except any dog may be used to take small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game birds) during the small game season; allow the take of wild hogs during the small game season; allow access year round from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset; and allow vehicles only on designated roads, only during quota hunts and only for individuals participating in the hunt (and their guests).
Three Lakes WMA - allow wild hog to be taken during small game season.
Three Lakes WMA - Prairie Lakes Unit – allow wild hog to be taken 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.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

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

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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