25449131, 68A-15.061 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 25449131

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.061

Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region. 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 revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region as follows:
 
Avon Park Air Force Range WMA – discontinue designated dog hunt areas and instead select units prior to the limited entry quota hunts based on military scheduling needs and allow tree stands to be erected in the selected limited entry quota areas; require that hunting equipment be removed by 6:00 pm 7 days following the close of any hunt season; and remove the prohibition on taking wildlife in the Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge.
Chassahowitzka WMA – allow hunting equipment on the WMA from 8 a.m. 7 days prior to the opening of each season and require its removal from the WMA by 6:00 p.m. 7 days after the last day of each season.
Croom WMA – shift the first 3-day spring turkey hunt 3 days earlier to open the third Saturday in March (Saturday through Monday) and shift the second and third 3-day hunts 7 days earlier (Tuesday through Thursday) to minimize the overlap with the Citrus and Chassahowitzka WMA spring turkey season dates.
Everglades Headwaters WMA, Hatchineha Unit – restrict bicycles (including class 1 e-bikes) to named roads, bicycle trails or designated multi-use trails; and update rule language to conform with the new definition of legal game.
Green Swamp WMA, West Unit – begin wild hog still hunt 1 day later (change from Friday through Sunday to Saturday through Monday format) and add allowance to take small game in season during the wild hog still season.
Hilochee WMA - Osprey Unit – allow the use of any dog during the wild hog-dog season; allow the use of any dog to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel, and migratory game) during small game season; and remove 15-inch shoulder height restriction for dogs used for hunting.
KICCO WMA – allow the use of any dog to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel, and migratory game) during small game season.
Orange Hammock WMA – update rule language to conform with the new definition of legal game.
Weekiwachee WMA – update rule language to conform with the new definition of legal game.

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 379.2223, 375.313, Florida Statutes

LAW:

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

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/13/2022 Vol. 48/09

COMMENTS:

From 1/13/2022 To 2/3/2022 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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