27976854, 68A-17.005 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 27976854

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-17.005

Specific Regulations for Wildlife and Environmental Areas

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs). The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WEAs.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendment would revise specific area regulations on WEAs as follows:

Southwest Region

	Lake Wales Ridge WEA – shift the opening of the wild hog-still hunt from the first Saturday in May to the second Saturday in May.

North Central Region

	Watermelon Pond WEA – establish a 3-day spring turkey season (5 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) to occur the third weekend of the statewide spring turkey season; and allow users to access the area from County Road 337 and SW 250th Street by removing the requirement to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.

Northwest Region

	Apalachicola River WEA – extend the existing May-September wild hog-dog hunts from 3 days to 7 days each; allow wild hogs to be hunted with dogs throughout the dog hunt area during the wild hog-dog 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.

South Region

	CREW WEA – add a 2-day youth turkey hunt (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions) beginning the last Saturday of February and establish a bag limit of one gobbler or bearded turkey per youth turkey quota permit.
	DuPuis WEA – establish an archery-only hunting area east of the dove field, west of Powerline Grade, south of State Road 76, and north of Jim Lake Grade and the firebreak connecting Jim Lake and Powerline grades.
	
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.

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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