29682987, 68A-15.004 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29682987

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.004	General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas
68A-15.005	Quota Permits; Antlerless Deer Permits; Special-Opportunity Permits
68A-15.006	Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas
68A-15.061	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region
68A-15.062	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
68A-15.063	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
68A-15.064	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region
68A-15.065	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

PURPOSE:

The proposed rule amendments revise: regulations pertaining to general rules for Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs); rules related to the use and transferability of quota permits; and specific rules for miscellaneous areas and WMAs in the Southwest, North Central, Northwest, South, and Northeast regions. The amendments will enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public recreation on lands in the WMA system.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendments adjust current regulations as follows:

68A-15.004 (General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas):
Baits, Lures and Visual Attractants for Trapping – allow baits, lures, and visual attractants to be used for trapping furbearers and nutria pursuant to Rule 68A-32.002, F.A.C., on WMAs with established trapping seasons, unless prohibited by area-specific rule.
Chasing Coyote and Bobcat during Special-Use Other Fox Hunts – allow bobcat and coyote to be chased by free-running dogs during permitted SUO fox hunts.
Crossbows and Airbows During Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season on WMAs – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season on applicable WMAs, unless otherwise provided by area rule.
Furbearer Language Correction – replace instances of “fur-bearing animals” with “furbearers” so that reference is made to the intended term as defined in Rule 68A-1.004, F.A.C.
Ground Blinds on WMAs – establish that ground blinds may not be left unattended on a WMA until 8:00 a.m. the day before each hunt and must be removed from the area before 6 p.m. the day after the end of every hunt, unless otherwise provided by area rule.
Nighttime Hunting Restriction on Guns Equipped with Thermal or Night-vision Devices – prohibit the take of wildlife on WMAs at night (from 30 minutes after sunset through 30 minutes before sunrise) with a gun equipped with a thermal, night-vision, or similar device.
Non-Protected Mammal and Furbearer Language Correction – replace “non-protected mammals” with species formerly defined as “non-protected mammals” or removed from the definition of “furbearers” to maintain the provision of take for these wildlife, due to revisions of these definitions.
Released Quail on WMAs – clarify that northern bobwhite must be purchased from a licensed game farm to be released on a WMA.

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

68A-15.005 (Quota Permits; Antlerless Deer Permits; Special-Opportunity Permits):
Active Participation by Assistants of Permanently Disabled Quota Hunters – allow quota permit and guest permit holders who also possess a valid Alternative Mobility Permit, Mobility-Impaired Certification Card, or Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License to have an assistant who may actively participate in a quota hunt (call, set up decoys, retrieve game, etc.) but may not harvest wildlife.
General Gun-Dog Permits for Blackwater WMA – prohibit residents from transferring Blackwater general gun-dog permits to nonresidents.
Hunting Guests for Mobility-Impaired Hunters during Quota Hunts that Allow Exemptions – allow certified mobility-impaired hunters and Alternative Mobility Permit holders to bring a guest hunter on quota hunts that allow exemptions.

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

68A-15.006 (Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas):
Babcock Ranch Preserve Tier I Hunt Area – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Babcock Ranch Preserve Tier II Hunt Area – cause the general wildlife management area regulations found in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., not in conflict with area-specific regulations, to apply to this area. 
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area – allow the take of crows during the entire second phase of the crow season; cause the general wildlife management area regulations found in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., not in conflict with area-specific regulations, to apply to this area; clarify when trapping is allowed; and remove redundant language that is already covered in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., concerning the take of non-protected mammals as well as baiting and the take of wildlife on baited areas.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area, Rolling Meadows Unit – allow the take of crows during the entire second phase of the statewide crow season; and remove redundant language that is already covered in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., concerning the take of non-protected mammals.
Kissimmee River Public Use Area – allow the take of crows during the entire second phase of the statewide crow season; cause the general wildlife management area regulations found in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., not in conflict with area-specific regulations, to apply to this area; clarify when trapping is allowed; clarify that furbearers may be taken according to the provisions of Rule 68A-24.002 during the zonal antlered deer season; and remove redundant language that is already covered in Rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C., concerning the take of non-protected mammals as well as baiting and the take of wildlife on baited areas.

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

68A-15.061 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Southwest Region):
Arbuckle WMA – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed, issue daily quota permits (each weekday) (no exemptions) at the check station during the archery season only when the check station is staffed and issue daily quota permits (each weekday) (no exemptions) at the check station during the muzzleloading gun season only when the check station is staffed; and establish a new 4-day (Fri.-Mon.) youth turkey hunt (5 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), with a bag limit of one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per quota permit.
Babcock Webb WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and issue daily quail permits as determine by annual Executive Order at the check station during the small game season only when the check station is staffed; prohibit the take of wildlife with dogs during the muzzleloading gun season; allow hunting during the muzzleloading gun season within the field trial and Boy Scout areas provided the take of quail is prohibited and access shall be on foot (pedestrian) only; and clarify that access within the Walk-in-Areas shall be on foot (pedestrian) only.
Babcock Webb, Yucca Pens Unit WMA – require hunters to check in and out at the designated check station when entering or exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife only when the check station is staffed.
Chassahowitzka WMA – require hunters to check in and out at a check station and check all harvested wildlife during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog and spring turkey seasons only when the check station is staffed.
Creek Ranch WMA – establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (1,342 acres) in Polk County as follows: 4-day family hunt (two 2-day hunts, 2 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 4-day family small game season (two 2-day hunts, 2 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 4-day youth turkey hunt (two 2-day hunts, 2 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); year-round fishing and frogging; prohibit trapping; allow hunting of all legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers; the bag limit for deer will be 1 antlered or 1 antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt (only youth hunters may take antlerless deer); the bag limit for wild turkey will be 1 gobbler or bearded turkey per youth turkey quota permit; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least 1 antler with 3 or more points or a 10-inch main beam (except by persons less than 16 years of age); prohibit the harvest of antlerless deer, except during the family hunt; prohibit the harvest of wild turkey, except during the youth turkey hunts; allow the take of wild hog (no bag limit or size restriction) during all area-specific hunting seasons, except the youth turkey hunts; allow public access year-round from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset; allow entry into and exit from the area at the designated entrance only; prohibit the use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), swamp buggies, airboats, recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles; allow access only by foot, horseback, or bicycle, during non-hunting periods; during hunting periods, allow vehicle access only on roads indicated on the brochure map but only for authorized quota hunters and their guests, and only from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to and during each family hunt and family small game hunt and from 4:30 a.m. until 1.5 hours after sunset during youth turkey hunts; allow bicycles to be operated only on roads indicated on the brochure map and multi-use trails only; allow horses only on roads indicated on the brochure map and designated multi-use trails only; allow tree stands, ground blinds, and elevated shooting platforms on the area beginning 8 a.m. one day before each hunt and removed by 1.5 hours after sunset the last day of each hunt; limit access to quota permit holders, their guests, and one additional non-hunting guest per quota permit during the family hunt, family small game and youth turkey hunts; hunting with dogs is prohibited, except any dog may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbits, gray squirrel, migratory birds, and non-protected birds) during the family hunt and family small game season; prohibit camping; and prohibit fires.
Croom WMA – require hunters to check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Green Swamp WMA – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey shall be dismembered until check at the check station only when the check station is staffed, issue daily quota permits at the check station each day of the archery season, issue daily quota permits at the check station each day (after the first nine days) of the general gun season, issue daily quota permits at the check station each day (after the first weekend) of the spring turkey season only when the check station is staffed; prohibit camping equipment, defined as any item or structure intended for or capable of providing overnight shelter, accommodation, or extended occupancy, on the area outside of established permitted camping periods; establish a new 4-day (Fri.-Mon.) youth turkey hunt (100 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), allow camping at both campsites during the youth turkey hunt, allow vehicle to be operated after 8:00 a.m. until 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to the  youth turkey hunt, and allow vehicle access to the designated camp sites any time after 8 a.m. one day prior to the youth turkey hunt until 1.5 hours after sunset on the last day of the hunt or season; require that an individual possess a valid management area permit in order to obtain a camping permit on the area, except those individuals exempt from wildlife management area permit requirements; and establish that an issued camping permit will be invalid if the permitted site is not occupied by a tent, trailer or self-propelled camping vehicle with the permit attached.
Green Swamp WMA, West Unit – allow the use of dogs to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel, and migratory birds in season) and non-protected birds during the Family small game season; require hunters to register at the hunt headquarters and require that no harvested wildlife shall be dismembered until checked at the hunt headquarters only when the hunt headquarters is staffed, remove from rule prohibiting the take of wild hog except by persons in possession of a daily wild hog permit during the small game season, remove from rule the issuance of eighty wild hog permits at the check station during the small game season and establish a daily quota of 80 (for wild hog and small game) and 40 (for small game only) (no exemptions) each day of the small game season issued at the check station only when the check station is staffed; and require that during open hunting seasons, an individual possess a valid management area permit in order to camp on the area, except those individuals exempt from wildlife management area permit requirements.
Lower Hillsborough WMA - require that during open hunting seasons, an individual possess a valid management area permit in order to camp on the area, except those individuals exempt from wildlife management area permit requirements.
Upper Hillsborough WMA – require hunters to check in and out each day and check all harvested wildlife, require that no deer, turkey or wild hog shall be dismembered until check at the check station, and issue daily quota permits during the spring turkey season only when the check station is staffed; correct an error to remove unnecessary reference to wild hog regarding the requirements for hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife; and require that during open hunting seasons, an individual possess a valid management area permit in order to camp on the area, except those individuals exempt from wildlife management area permit requirements.

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

68A-15.062 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region):
Belmore WMA – increase hunting opportunities by allowing hunting on Thursdays during the small game season.
Camp Blanding WMA – reduce the number of quota permits issued for the Family Hunt from 40 quota permits to 30 quota permits and increase the bag limit to one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit during the family hunt; and require area users to have a Florida-National Guard issued permit as specified by the Installation Commander. 
Catlett WMA – establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (1,563 acres) in Clay County as follows: 12-day archery season (three 4-day hunts, 5 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 3-day muzzleloading gun season (5 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); 2-day family hunt (5 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions);  6-day archery/muzzleloading gun season (two 3-day hunts, 5 no-cost quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); ~85-day small game season (no quota); 4-day youth spring turkey season (5 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 9-day spring turkey season (three 3-day hunts, 5 no cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); migratory bird season during timeframes that coincide with other open seasons; allow fishing and frogging year-round; prohibit trapping;  allow hunting of all legal game, wild turkey (gobbler or bearded turkeys only), fish, frogs, and furbearers; the bag limit for deer will be 1 antlered deer and 1 antlerless deer during the archery season and the family hunt, 2 antlered deer per permit but only 1 per person during the muzzleloading gun season and the archery/muzzleloading gun season; the bag limit for wild turkey will be 1 per quota permit during spring turkey season; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least 1 antler with 3 or more points or a main beam length of 10 inches or more (except by persons less than 16 years of age); prohibit the harvest of antlerless deer, except during archery season and the family hunt; allow the take of wild turkey during spring turkey seasons only (gobbler or bearded turkeys only); allow take of wild hog during small game season and all quota hunts (except youth and spring turkey) with no bag limits or size restrictions; allow public access year-round from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset; prohibit motor vehicles, except street legal vehicles are allowed from one and one-half hours before sunrise until one and one-half hours after sunset on named and numbered roads and parking areas as indicated on the map; prohibit public access other than by foot or bicycle during non-hunting periods; prohibit horses; prohibit airboats, ATVs, side-by-sides, unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, swamp buggies, and tracked vehicles; require vehicles to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; prohibit hunting with dogs, with the following exceptions; dogs may be used to hunt migratory birds whenever their respective statewide seasons overlap with area-specific seasons; dogs may be used to hunt small game (gray squirrel, migratory birds in season, quail, and rabbits) during the small game seasons; allow tree stands, ground blinds, and elevated shooting platforms on the area 8 a.m. one day before each hunt and removed by the last day of every hunt; prohibit camping and fires; prohibit non-hunter access during spring youth turkey hunts; and require area users to have a Florida-National Guard issued permit as specified by the Installation Commander.
Cypress Creek WMA – prohibit camping, except by permit from the Suwannee River Water Management District on District Managed Lands, and only allow nighttime access on the portions of the area that are managed by SRWMD and only by persons in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the SRWMD; and remove the summer nighttime raccoon hunting season.
Devil’s Hammock WMA – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Flying Eagle – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Goethe WMA – shift the archery season to occur one week earlier. 
Gulf Hammock WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.   
Holton Creek WMA – replace “non-protected mammals” with species formerly defined as “non-protected mammals” or removed from the definition of “furbearers” to maintain the provision of take for these wildlife, due to revisions of these definitions; require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife only when the check station is staffed; and require all users to enter and exit at a designated entrance, the Florida Trail or the Suwannee River.
Homosassa WMA – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife only when the check station is staffed.
J.P. Hall Bayard Point WMA – remove the rule that prohibits the use of horses during the hunting seasons.  
Lochloosa WMA – remove the rule that prohibits the use of horses during the general gun season. 
Lochloosa Slough WMA – establish open seasons and regulations for a new WMA (5,247 acres) in Alachua County as follows: 9-day archery season (three 3-day hunts, 10 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 3-day muzzleloading gun season (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); 2-day family hunt (10 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); 9-day general gun season (three 3-day hunts, 10 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); 12-day small game season (four 3-day hunts, no quota); 4-day youth turkey hunt (5 no-cost, quota permits, no exemptions); 12-day spring turkey season (three 4-day hunts, 5 no-cost, quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions); allow fishing and frogging year-round; prohibit trapping; allow hunting of deer, gray squirrel, rabbit, wild hog, wild turkey (gobblers or bearded turkeys only), fish, and frogs; prohibit the take of furbearers; the bag limit for deer will be 1 antlered deer and 1 antlerless deer during the archery season and family hunt and 1 antlered deer per quota permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least 1 antler with 3 or more points or a 10-inch main beam (except by persons less than 16 years of age); prohibit the harvest of antlerless deer, except during archery season and the family hunt; allow the take of wild turkey during the spring turkey season only (gobbler or bearded turkeys only);  the bag limit for wild turkey will be 1 gobbler or bearded turkey per spring or youth turkey quota permit; allow the take of wild hog during small game season and all quota hunts (except youth and spring turkey) with no bag limits or size restrictions; allow public access year-round; prohibit hunting in Area 2 (located south of SE 177th St); allow access from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset for individuals participating in designated hunting seasons in designated hunting areas, all other public access must be during posted hours at designated access points; allow street legal vehicle access on named and numbered roads as indicated on the brochure map is allowed 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, but only by individuals participating in the archery, muzzleloading, family hunt, general gun, youth turkey, and spring turkey hunts and only on hunt days and the day before each hunt; prohibit vehicles except at the designated parking areas; prohibit the use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), swamp buggies, airboats, recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, and e-bikes;  allow access only by foot, horseback, vessel or bicycle, year-round in area 2 and during non-hunting periods in area 1; require vehicles to enter and exit the area at a designated entrance; prohibit operating vehicles in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic; prohibit hunting with dogs, except rabbit dogs and squirrel dogs, and retrievers may be used to hunt gray squirrel and rabbits during the general gun and small game seasons; allow tree stands, ground blinds, and elevated shooting platforms on the area beginning 8 a.m. one day before each hunt and require that these items be removed from the area the last day of each hunt; prohibit camping; and prohibit fires. 
Potts WMA – require hunters to check in and out and check all harvested wildlife and require that no deer or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
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Additionally, the proposed rule amendment also clarifies existing rules; removes unnecessary, redundant, or conflicting language; corrects prior mistakes; and makes non-substantive, technical corrections.

68A-15.063 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region):
Apalachee WMA – allow motorized vehicles one day prior to each spring turkey hunt to provide more access during scouting periods.
Apalachicola WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Apalachicola, Bradwell Unit WMA – extend the small game season by adding two 9-day hunts (one in January and one in February); and shift the second-to-last family hunt to run Saturday-Monday (instead of Friday-Sunday), so it ends on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and shift the last 3-day family hunt to end on President’s Day, instead of beginning the third Saturday in January and ending the following Monday.
Aucilla WMA, Pinhook Still Hunt Area – convert the existing 19-day small game and 16-day wild hog-still seasons (35 days of small game, furbearer, and wild hog hunting) into a small game season that runs from the day after the last day of the general gun season until the first Sunday in March (98 days of small game, furbearer, and wild hog hunting). 
Beaverdam Creek WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Blackwater WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; allow wild hog to be hunted throughout the wild hog-dog season in the portion of the West Boundary Forest lying South of Springhill Road; and establish a Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, and Bobcat season throughout the Dog Hunt Area (Dog Hunt Area and Fox Hunt Area) from May 1 through the 1st Sunday in March.
Blackwater, Hutton Unit WMA – increase the spring turkey quota from 10 permits to 15 permits for each of the three 3-day spring turkey hunts.
Box-R WMA – establish a 2-day family hunt (10 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), with a bag limit of three antlered deer per quota permit (but no more than one per person), beginning the Saturday following the last general gun hunt; establish two additional 4-day spring turkey hunts (five no-cost quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions) running Friday-Monday on the second and fourth weekends of the season; and remove the daily quota and check station requirements for the wild hog-still season and add these seven days of wild hog, small game, and furbearer hunting opportunity to the small game season.
Chipola River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Chipola River WMA, Dudley Road Area – establish a 3-day muzzleloading gun season (five no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), with a bag limit of two antlered deer (but no more than one per person); establish a 12-day family hunt (four 3-day hunts, three no-cost quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions), with a bag limit of two antlered deer and one antlerless deer per quota permit (but no more than one deer per person); prohibit the harvest of antlered deer not having at least one antler with four or more points or a main beam length of 14 inches or more (except by persons less than 16 years of age); establish a 6-day youth turkey hunt (three 2-day hunts, five no-cost quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions), with a bag limit of one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit; limit public access to individuals participating in the hunt during quota hunts; prohibit motorized vehicles, except individuals participating in quota hunts or scouting activities may operate street-legal vehicles on named or numbered roads from one week prior to the first day until one day after the last day of their permitted hunt; prohibit public access during nighttime hours, except individuals participating in quota hunts may access the area at any time during their permitted hunt.
Choctawhatchee River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; convert the existing 37-day non-quota spring turkey season in the south zone of the area into a 9-day quota period (one 4-day hunt and one 5-day hunt, 25 no-cost quota permits for each hunt, no exemptions, with a bag limit of one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit) followed by a 28-day non-quota hunt to address crowding complaints; and prohibit hunting with centerfire and rimfire rifles and pistols, muzzleloading guns, and shotgun slugs in specified portions of the area.
Econfina Creek WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; and prohibit hunting with centerfire and rimfire rifles and pistols, muzzleloading guns, and shotgun slugs in specified portions of the area.
Eglin AFB WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; prohibit the take of wildlife with a gun along or across a road, the Florida Trail, or a designated biking trail and define “road” as, “any established, maintained, or regularly used route intended for four-wheeled motorized vehicle travel including but not limited to gravel, dirt, sand, or paved surfaces; and to include access roads, logging roads, and utility rights-of-way”; and prohibit the take of wildlife with centerfire rifles or shotgun slugs when hunting deer or wild hog with the aid of dogs
Escambia River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Escribano Point WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Garcon Point WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season. 
Garcon Point WMA, Avalon Tract – allow hunting with bows only during established area seasons, except shotguns may be used for hunting waterfowl in season.
Joe Budd WMA – prohibit horses, except on named or numbered roads and designated trails, to align FWC rules with those of FFS; prohibit the take of wildlife with airbows and crossbows during the archery/muzzleloading gun; and remove the access restriction during shooting hours in spring turkey season.
Juniper Creek WMA – replace “non-protected mammals” with species formerly defined as “non-protected mammals” or removed from the definition of “furbearers” to maintain the provision of take for these wildlife, due to revisions of these definitions; and shift the second-to-last family hunt to run Saturday-Monday (instead of Friday-Sunday), so it ends on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and shift the last 3-day family hunt to end on President’s Day, instead of beginning the third Saturday in January and ending the following Monday.
Lafayette Creek WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; clarify that during non-quota hunts and outside hunting seasons, public access is allowed during daylight hours only, except for individuals participating in hunts; clarify that during quota hunts, individuals participating in the hunt may access the area day and night and through hikers on the Florida trail may access the area during daylight hours only; correct an error that omitted archery/muzzleloading gun season from the list of quota hunts when public access is limited to those participating in the hunt; prohibit horses; and prohibit motorized vehicles, except street legal vehicles may be operated on named or numbered roads from three days prior to the first day of archery season until three days after the last day of spring turkey season.
Ochlockonee River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; establish an additional 3-day wild hog-still hunt per month from May through September; and increase the quota from 10 permits to 15 permits for each of the six 2-day spring turkey hunts.
Perdido River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Pine Log WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; and eliminate check station requirements.
Plank Road WMA – establish an additional 3-day wild hog-still hunt per month from May through September. 
Point Washington WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Talquin WMA – establish an additional 3-day wild hog-still hunt per month from May through September; and increase the quota from 10 permits to 15 permits for each of the six 2-day spring turkey hunts.
Tate’s Hell WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Tate’s Hell, Womack Creek Unit WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season.
Telogia Creek WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; eliminate check station requirements; shift small game season dates to avoid overlap with deer seasons and prohibit hunting with dogs during general gun season, except bird dogs and retrievers for taking small game (gray squirrel, quail, rabbits, and migratory game birds in season); and shift the second and third general gun hunts to always begin on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, respectively, to consistently provide hunting opportunities during holidays.
Tyndall AFB WMA – establish the final seven days of the Zone D muzzleloading gun season as open on the area, in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander, to align FWC rules with those of the U.S. Department of Defense; extend the small game season to open the second Saturday in October instead of the second Saturday in November; and prohibit hunting with dogs, except bird dogs and retrievers may be used to hunt migratory birds in season, to align FWC rules with those of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Wakulla WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; and extend the small game season by 7 days so it ends the first Sunday in March instead of the last Sunday in February.
Yellow River WMA – allow the take of wildlife with crossbows and airbows during archery/muzzleloading gun season; and establish an additional 3-day wild hog-still hunt per month from May through September.

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

68A-15.064 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region):
Allapattah Flats WMA – establish a 3-day general gun hunt (50 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), with a bag limit of one antlered deer per quota permit, to be held the Friday-Sunday before Christmas.
Big Cypress WMA – correct an error that caused a portion of the archery season in the Deep Lake Unit to be held on the wrong dates.
Dinner Island Ranch, Caracara Unit WMA – prohibit parking a vehicle outside the designated parking areas as indicated on the hunt map, except for individuals participating in the mobility-impaired hunt.
Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA – clarify that during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun-walk seasons, motorized vehicles may only be operated on designated levees, except all-terrain vehicles and ROVs (side-by-sides) may be operated off-road; clarify that general gun-vehicle season is open for airboats and tracked vehicles only, with only tracked vehicles being allowed in Conservation Area 3A North and only airboats being allowed in Conservation areas 3A South, 2, and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on all levees except the L-4, L-5, and L-6 levees; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on tree islands, strands, and wildlife islands; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited outside of hunting seasons and associated scouting periods, except street legal vehicles are allowed on the L-4, L-5, and L-6 levees; clarify that no person shall operate any motorized vehicle off-road, unless it is equipped with an orange flag at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches long and displayed at a minimum height of 6 feet above the top of the seat; correct a prior mistake that unnecessarily prohibited the take of wild hog with dogs during small game season even though the take of wild hog is completely prohibited during this season; and shift the general gun-vehicle season to begin four weeks later.
Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Management Area, Okeechobee Unit – shift the second and third general gun hunts to each begin seven days earlier.
Holey Land WMA – clarify that during the general gun-vehicle season, the area is closed to all motorized vehicles and airboats, except street-legal vehicles on designated levees, tracked vehicles authorized by permit, and airboats used for the purpose of waterfowl hunting on days when waterfowl hunting is allowed under Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.; clarify that during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun-walk seasons, motorized vehicles may only be operated on designated levees, except all-terrain vehicles and ROVs (side-by-sides) may be operated off-road; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on all levees except the L-5 and Miami Canal levees; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on tree islands, strands, and wildlife islands; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited outside of hunting seasons and associated scouting periods, except street legal vehicles are allowed on the L-5 and Miami Canal levees; clarify that no person shall operate any motorized vehicle off-road, unless it is equipped with an orange flag at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches long and displayed at a minimum height of 6 feet above the top of the seat; correct a prior mistake that unnecessarily prohibited the take of wild hog with dogs during small game season even though the take of wild hog is completely prohibited during this season; and shift the general gun-vehicle season to begin four weeks later.
J.W. Corbett WMA – allow camping until seven days after the close of general gun season to provide campers more time to remove their equipment; allow individuals participating in the 9-day dog training season to operate street-legal vehicles, side-by-sides, and swamp buggies on Stumper’s Grade and numbered trails and to operate swamp buggies off-road and off-trail in the portion of the area lying south and east of Stumper’s Grade; prohibit the discharge of a bow, crossbow, or airgun and the possession of harvested wildlife throughout the closed-to-hunting portion of the Bruce Bowman Archery Still Hunt Area; remove any mention of Camp M from rule; and remove the 3-day limit for camping at half of Camp B during archery season.
Okaloacoochee Slough WMA – reduce the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun quotas from 185 to 165 to address crowding concerns from area hunters.
Picayune Strand WMA – establish a 2-day family hunt (50 no-cost quota permits, no exemptions), with a bag limit of 2 antlered deer per quota permit but no more than one per person, to be held the Saturday-Sunday between the muzzleloading gun and general gun mobility-impaired seasons and allow quota permit holders and their guests to operate swamp buggies and side-by-sides on designated roads in that portion of the area east of and including Miller Blvd. and south of and including Berson Blvd. during (and one week prior to) the family hunt.
Rotenberger WMA – clarify that during the general gun-vehicle season, the area is closed to all motorized vehicles and airboats, except street-legal vehicles on designated levees, tracked vehicles authorized by permit, and airboats used for the purpose of waterfowl hunting on days when waterfowl hunting is allowed under Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.; clarify that during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun-walk seasons, motorized vehicles may only be operated on designated levees, except all-terrain vehicles and ROVs (side-by-sides) may be operated off-road; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on all levees except the L-4, Manley Ditch, Miami Canal, and Powerline levees; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited on tree islands, strands, and wildlife islands; clarify that motorized vehicles are prohibited outside of hunting seasons and associated scouting periods, except street legal vehicles are allowed on the L-4, Manley Ditch, Miami Canal, and Powerline levees; clarify that no person shall operate any motorized vehicle off-road, unless it is equipped with an orange flag at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches long and displayed at a minimum height of 6 feet above the top of the seat; correct a prior mistake that unnecessarily prohibited the take of wild hog with dogs during small game season even though the take of wild hog is completely prohibited during this season; and shift the general gun-vehicle season to begin four weeks later.

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

68A-15.065 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region):
Buck Lake WMA – allow walk-in access only (motorized access prohibited) for the small game and wild hog hunts (quota permit not required); remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons.
Caravelle Ranch WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed.
Deep Creek WMA – remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons.  
Dunns Creek WMA – remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons.
Fort Drum WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed; and remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons, except for during the special- opportunity hunts.  
Guana River WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken and issue daily quota permits only when the check station is staffed.
Half Moon WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed, issue daily quota permits and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken and issue daily quota permits only when the check station is staffed; require permit to camp in designated hunter campground during hunting seasons on the area; and expand the raccoon hunting season from three 3-day hunts to three 7-day hunts. 
Lake George WMA, Dexter Mary Farms Unit – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed; and modify the current small game schedule (two 16-day hunts/32 days total) to eight 4-day weekend hunts (32 days total still) with a Thurs – Sun format.
Lake Panasoffkee WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no wildlife be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Rice Creek WMA – remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons; and require hunters to enter and exit the area from designated entrances only.
Richloam WMA - require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed.
Richloam WMA, Baird Unit - require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed.  
Rock Springs Run WMA – convert the first two days of the small game season (50 daily quota permits) to a 2-day youth turkey hunt (10 quota permits, no exemptions), bag limit of one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit; remove the requirement to park only in designated parking areas; require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed, and require that no deer be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed and issue daily quota permits at the check station to individuals hunting on the West BMK portion of the area only when the check station is staffed.
Salt Lake WMA - require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Seminole Forest WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only and issue daily quota permits when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Seminole Ranch WMA – remove rule language that prohibits horses during the hunting seasons; require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station and issue daily quota permits only when the check station is staffed.   
Silver Springs Forest WMA – allow the take of antlerless deer during the family hunt. The area bag limit would be 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer per permit, one deer per person per day. 
Three Lakes WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken and issue daily quota permits only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed; and require permit/authorization to camp in designated hunter campground during hunting seasons on the area. 
Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lakes Unit – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.   
Triple N Ranch WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and require that no deer, wild hog or turkey be dismembered until checked at the check station only when the check station is staffed.
Tosohatchee WMA – require hunters to check in and out when entering and exiting the area and check all harvested wildlife taken only when the check station is staffed and issue daily quota permits at the check station during the wild hog-dog season only when the check station is staffed; and remove the requirement to park only in designated parking areas during the hunting season (would still be required during non-hunting dates).

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.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/15/2026 Vol. 52/10

COMMENTS:

From 1/15/2026 To 2/5/2026 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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