27976466, 68A-15.063 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 27976466

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.063

Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise regulations for Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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 these WMAs.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendment would revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the Northwest Region as follows:

Apalachee WMA – establish a nighttime raccoon season from September 1-15 (Zone A) and September 16-30 (Zones B and C) and from the day after the last day of general gun season through the day before the first day of spring turkey season (Zones A, B, and C); clarify methods of take allowed on the area; and clarify rule language for issuance of zone tags.
Apalachicola WMA – clarify that deer may be pursued with dogs for training purposes only during the deer-dog training season in the fox hunt area.  
Apalachicola WMA, Bradwell Unit – clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, which is held during nighttime hours only, no wild hog shall be shot until bayed by dogs.
Aucilla WMA – clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs; clarify that during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area, the bag limit for antlered deer is two per quota permit, but no more than one per person; clarify that nighttime raccoon and opossum hunting is allowed in the dog hunt area only; clarify that a quota permit is not required to hunt raccoon and opossum from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise during any quota period; and adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Beaverdam Creek WMA – establish a nighttime raccoon season opening the first Thursday in July and closing the last Sunday in August (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only); allow nighttime raccoon hunting during the small game season and do not require a quota permit for those hunting raccoon and opossum from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise during any quota period; clarify that during the youth turkey hunt, one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per quota permit; clarify that during spring turkey season, two gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one per person; and clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs.
Blackwater WMA – allow wild hog to be hunted during daylight hours in the West Boundary Forest portion of the area, except during the wild hog-dog season; allow nighttime raccoon hunting during the small game season in the Dog Hunt Area; clarify that all motorized vehicles are prohibited, except street-legal motor vehicles; clarify that motor vehicles are limited to named and numbered roads; clarify that during the family hunt, supervising adults other than the permit holder may participate in the hunt, but may not take wildlife with a gun; and clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs (except in the West Boundary Forest Unit) and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs.
Blackwater WMA, Carr Unit – clarify that the open season for the area is intended to close concurrently with the statewide quail season.
Blackwater WMA, Hutton Unit – allow individuals with valid quota permits and their guests to use street-legal vehicles on the powerline easement during quail hunts (14 days/year); establish a 2-day family hunt (20 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the second Saturday in February and allow the take of up to 3 deer per family hunt quota permit, but no more than 1 antlered deer per person and no more than 1 antlerless deer per family hunt quota permit; require hunters to check in and out daily during all area quota hunts; clarify that during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for antlered deer is two per quota permit, but no more than one per person; and clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs.
Box-R – clarify that during the youth turkey hunt, one gobbler or bearded turkey may be taken per quota permit; clarify that during spring turkey season, two gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one per person; and clarify that deer taken on the Gulf County portion of the area are not required to be checked, and can therefore be dismembered before leaving the area.
Chipola River WMA, Altha Tract – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the second Saturday in March; and clarify that during spring turkey season, two gobblers or bearded turkeys may be taken per quota permit, but no more than one per person.
Choctawhatchee River WMA – allow rabbit dogs and squirrel dogs to be used for hunting in the Still Hunt Area; allow opossum to be hunted during the raccoon season; and clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs.
Econfina Creek WMA – allow rabbit dogs and squirrel dogs to be used for hunting in the Still Hunt Area; and clarify that migratory birds other than waterfowl can be hunted during their respective statewide seasons.
Econfina Creek WMA, Cat Creek Area – establish a 4-day family hunt (20 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning Christmas Eve and allow the take of 1 antlerless deer per family hunt quota permit.
Econfina Creek WMA, Fitzhugh Carter Area – establish a daily quota of 15 to be issued first come, first served at the check station during early waterfowl and small game seasons.
Eglin AFB WMA – specify that the Installation Commander designates when hunters must check in/out and check harvested game; and align the rule language for archery/muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons with when hunts are held on the ground.
Escambia River WMA – allow rabbit dogs and squirrel dogs to be used for hunting in the Still Hunt Area; allow opossum to be hunted during the raccoon season; clarify that during the wild hog-dog season, wild hog may be hunted during the day with or without dogs and no wild hog shall be shot at night until bayed by dogs; and clarify that during the family hunt, up to two youths, 8-15 years of age, and one adult, not younger than 18 years of age, may hunt as long as each youth is physically accompanied and supervised by the adult.
Escribano Point WMA – prohibit motorized vehicles from one and one-half hours after sunset to one and one-half hours before sunrise.
Flint Rock WMA – remove all applicable rule language due to disestablishment of the area.
Garcon Point WMA – clarify that vessels may enter the Avalon and Garcon tracts anywhere along their coastline boundaries with Escambia and East bays; clarify that nighttime access to improved recreational areas is allowed only for those participating in authorized hunting and fishing activities; clarify that taking wildlife on or from designated hiking trails is prohibited; and adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season. 
Joe Budd WMA – remove the daily quota requirement during small game season; and require hunters to check in and out of the area and check harvested game only when the check station is staffed.
Juniper Creek WMA – include in rule the date on which the Zone Tag drawing is held.
Lafayette Creek WMA – delete the redundant wild hog-still season in February (covered by small game season dates); establish a wild hog-still season on the first and third weekends (Friday-Monday) of May-September; establish a 3-day archery/muzzleloading gun hunt (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the third Friday in February; and clarify that northern bobwhite may only be released during non-quota periods.
Ochlockonee River WMA – allow waterfowl hunting during statewide seasons (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only); establish a quota of 10 no-cost permits (no exemptions) for each hunt during the spring turkey season to address hunter crowding; decrease the quota for the first 5 days of the archery/muzzleloading gun season from 70 to 45 to address hunter crowding; and adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Perdido River WMA – extend the small game season by 10 days to open the second Saturday in November instead of 3 days prior to Thanksgiving; and adjust rule language for the close of the small game season to ensure the current season ending date is maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Pine Log WMA – decrease the quota for the existing muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons from 60 to 40 per hunt to reduce hunter crowding and offer new hunting opportunities as follows: establish a 2-day family hunt (20 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the fourth Saturday in December and allow the take of 1 antlerless deer per family hunt quota permit, establish a 3-day archery/muzzleloading gun hunt (40 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the third Friday in February, and allow archery hunting in the archery-only area during general gun season dates without a quota permit (no antlerless take allowed); clarify that during the archery season, the take of antlerless deer is only allowed on the first 23 days; clarify that northern bobwhite may only be released during non-quota periods; and clarify that opossum may be hunted with dogs during the raccoon season.
Plank Road WMA – allow waterfowl hunting during statewide seasons; allow nighttime raccoon hunting during the small game season; and adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Point Washington WMA – convert the existing 13-day quota hunt (150 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) at the beginning of general gun season to a 4-day family hunt (50 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) followed by a 9-day general gun hunt (150 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) and allow the take of 1 antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt; establish a nighttime raccoon season opening the first Thursday in July and closing the last Sunday in August (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only); clarify that all motorized vehicles are prohibited, except street-legal motor vehicles; and clarify that motor vehicles are limited to named and numbered roads.
Talquin WMA – establish a quota of 10 no-cost permits (no exemptions) for each hunt during the spring turkey season to address hunter crowding; decrease the quota for the first 5 days of the general gun season from 70 to 45 to address hunter crowding; clarify that only Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are open for hunting during the small game season; and adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Tate’s Hell WMA – move the quota period from the first 13 days of the general gun season to the last 13 days of the general gun season to address hunter crowding occurring during the last two weeks of the season; clarify that those hunting raccoon and opossum from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise are not required to have a quota permit during any quota period; and clarify that during the deer-dog training season, deer dogs may only be trained during daylight hours.
Tate’s Hell WMA, St. James Island Unit – adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Tate’s Hell WMA, Womack Creek Unit – establish a 3-day archery/muzzleloading gun hunt (70 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the fourth Friday in January.
Telogia Creek WMA – establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (12,384 acres) in Liberty County as follows: 9-day duck season during the statewide September duck seasons (no quota); 16-day dove season during the first 16 days of the statewide mourning and white-winged dove season (no quota); 16-day archery season (no quota); 42-day small game season (no quota); 20-day general gun season split into 5 hunts as follows: three 4-day hunts (no quota) followed by two 4-day hunts (70 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 4-day muzzleloading gun season (no quota); 4-day archery/muzzleloading gun season (no quota); 2-day youth turkey season (no quota); 17-day spring turkey season split into 3 hunts as follows: two 4-day hunts (35 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions) followed by one 9-day hunt (no quota); fishing and frogging: allowed year-round; allow hunting of all legal game, wild turkey (gobbler or bearded turkeys only), fish, frogs, and furbearers; the bag limit for deer is 1 antlered deer and 1 antlerless deer per person during the archery season, 2 antlered deer per person during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons (except that during general gun quota hunts the bag limit will be 1 antlered deer per quota permit), and 1 antlered deer per person during the archery/muzzleloading gun season; during spring turkey season, the bag limit is one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit during quota hunts and the season limit is two gobblers or bearded turkeys per person; during archery season, the season limit is two gobblers or bearded turkeys per person; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least 1 antler with 2 or more points (except by persons less than 16 years of age); prohibit the harvest of antlerless deer, except during archery season; allow the take of wild turkey during archery and spring turkey seasons only (gobbler or bearded turkeys only); allow the take of wild hog (no bag limit or size restriction) during all area-specific hunting seasons with the following exceptions: duck, dove, and spring turkey (including the youth hunt); allow public access year-round; prohibit motorized vehicles, except street legal vehicles are allowed from one and one-half hours before sunrise until one and one-half hours after sunset on designated roads and parking areas as indicated on the hunt map; prohibit public access other than by foot, bicycle, horseback, or vessel at all other times and in all other portions of the area; prohibit airboats, ATVs, side-by-sides, off-highway motorcycles, swamp buggies, and tracked vehicles; require motor vehicles to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; prohibit hunting with dogs, with the following exceptions: bird dogs and retrievers may be used to hunt migratory birds whenever their respective statewide seasons overlap with area-specific seasons and bird dogs, rabbit dogs, squirrel dogs, and retrievers may be used to hunt small game (gray squirrel, migratory birds in season, quail, and rabbits) during the archery, general gun, muzzleloading gun, archery/muzzleloading gun, and small game seasons; require hunters to check all harvested wildlife whenever the check station is staffed; and prohibit camping and fires.
Tyndall AFB WMA – clarify that the small game season for the area is intended to close concurrently with the statewide quail season.
Yellow River WMA – establish a nighttime raccoon season opening the first Thursday in July and closing the last Sunday in August (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment also clarifies existing rules; removes unnecessary, redundant, or conflicting language; corrects prior mistakes; and makes non-substantive, technical corrections.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/23/2024 Vol. 50/15

COMMENTS:

From 1/23/2024 To 2/13/2024 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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