68A-15.065: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendments 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 changes will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments 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:
Buck Lake WMA – remove the requirement for hunters to check in and check game at the check station.
Bull Creek WMA – clarify that camping at designated campsites on the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) is limited to persons hiking through on the FNST.
Charles H. Bronson WMA – change the bag limit for deer from one deer per quota permit to one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit during the archery season and two antlered deer per quota permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; add a 7-day archery hunt (quota 30; no exemptions); add a 3-day muzzleloading gun hunt (quota 30; no exemptions); and add one day to each spring turkey hunt (change from 3-day hunts to 4-day hunts).
Dunns Creek WMA – remove the requirement for hunters to check in and check game at the check station.
Etoniah Creek WMA – add a 3-day muzzleloading gun hunt (quota 50; no exemptions); add a 4-day general gun hunt and restructure the other two general gun hunts so that each hunt is four days long and runs from Thurs.-Sun. (currently the first hunt runs four days from Sat.-Tues. and the second hunt runs five days from Wed.-Sun.); and add one day to each spring turkey hunt.
Guana River WMA – establish vehicle access hours for all area users during hunting seasons as 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the spring turkey hunts when vehicles are allowed only from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Lake George WMA – add a 3-day muzzleloading gun hunt (quota 250; no exemptions); and add one day to each of the three spring turkey hunts (change from 3-day hunts to 4-day hunts).
Lake Panasoffkee WMA – allow camping only on days that vehicle access is allowed.
Lake Tracy Unit WMA – add one day to the general gun season (change from a 3-day season to a 4-day season); add one day to the muzzleloading gun season (change from a 3-day season to a 4-day season); add one day to each archery hunt (change from two 3-day hunts to two 4-day hunts); and add a small game season (three 3-day hunts in January; no quota permit required).
Little Big Econ WMA – add a 7-day archery hunt (quota 20, no exemptions); add a 3-day muzzleloading gun hunt (quota 20, no exemptions); and add one day to each of three 3-day spring turkey hunts.
Matanzas WMA – add a 7-day hunt to the archery season (no quota); add a 3-day hunt to the muzzleloading gun season (quota 30, no exemptions); add a 7-day hunt to the wild hog-still season (quota 50, no exemptions); and add a 4-day hunt to the spring turkey season (quota 15, no exemptions).
Richloam WMA – move the wild-hog dog hunt from weekdays (Tues.-Thurs.) to the weekend (Fri.-Sun.).
Rock Springs WMA – allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season.
Ross Prairie WMA – add a 3-day archery season (quota 10, no exemptions); and add a 3-day spring turkey season (quota 5, no exemptions).
Salt Lake WMA – allow wild hog to be hunted during small game season and clarify that all persons are allowed vehicle access during the hunting seasons.
Seminole Forest WMA – add one day to the first spring turkey hunt (change from a 4-day hunt to a 5-day hunt) and clarify when vehicle access is allowed.
Three Lakes WMA – add two 3-day raccoon hunts (no quota).
Tiger Bay WMA – add one day to each of three spring turkey hunts (change from 3-day to 4-day hunts).
Triple N WMA – allow vehicle access on scout days for special-opportunity spring turkey hunts to start at 5 a.m.
Proposed rule amendment would also amend or clarify language related to the use of guns for taking wildlife. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections and language standardization.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, February 8-9, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute, 215 Academy Drive, Havana, FL 32333
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator, at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
68A-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.
(1) Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 3-4 5-6 and November 5 7 through December 30 January 1.
2. Small game – December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
4. Archery – September 15-16 17-18 and September 17 19 through October 14 16.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24.
6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
7. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Allowed only at designated campgrounds during periods in which hunting is allowed and throughout the year at designated campsites on the Florida National Scenic Trail for persons hiking through on the Florida National Scenic Trail provided that access to area is via the Trail. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area no earlier than 8 a.m. seven days prior to the opening of archery season and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. seven days following the end of the spring turkey season. Camping shall be allowed from 8 a.m. one day prior to each season through 6 p.m. one day following each season. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for each campsite shall be visibly affixed to camping shelters.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunters shall enter and exit at a designated entrance, check in and out at a check station and check all game taken. During small game season, hunters shall check in and out using self-check boxes located at each designated entrance and record all game taken. Persons hunting on the Crabgrass Creek portion of the area shall have a daily permit issued from the check station in their possession (except during the small game season). Persons engaging in recreational activities other than hunting shall enter and exit at a designated entrance and register at the check station upon entering and exiting the area, except persons hiking through on the Florida National Scenic Trail.
2. through 5. No change.
(2) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 10 12 through January 6 8.
2. General gun still – November 24 26 through December 2 4 (Church Lake Unit only).
3. Small game – January 7 9 through March 3 4.
4. Archery – September 22 24 through October 21 23.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy Management Units only.
6. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 10 12 through April 14 15.
7. No change.
8. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11 (Lake Delancy Unit only).
9. Spring turkey – March 21-24 22-25, March 28-31 29 through April 1, April 4-7 5-8 and 11-14 12-15.
10. through 12. No change.
(b) Legal to take:
1. No change.
2. Furbearing animals – During the November 10 12 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake Management Units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 4 5 through April 14 15 only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 7 9 through April 14 15, only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 7 9 through April 14 15 in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.
6. No change.
(e) The Ocala Wildlife Management Area consists of four management units described as follows:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Pipeline Unit – Starting at the junction of N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. and C.R. 314, then northwest and northeast on N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. to its junction with N.E. 86th Ln., then northeast on N.E. 86th Ln. to its junction with N.E. 147 Ct., then north on N.E. 147 Ct. to its junction with N.E. 88 St., then west on N.E. 88 St. to its junction with N.E. 146th Ave., then north on N.E. 146th Ave. to its junction with N.E. 89th Lane, then west on N.E. 89th Lane to it junction with N.E. 144th Terr., then north on N.E. 144th Terr. to its terminus, then north to the wildlife management area boundary, then north along the wildlife management area boundary to its junction with C.R. 316, then east on C.R. 316 to its junction with F.R. 11, then south on F.R. 11 to its junction with S.R. 40, then east on S.R. 40 to its junction with S.R. 19, then north on S.R. 19 to its junction with Juniper Creek, then east along Juniper Creek to its junction with the wildlife management area boundary, then along the wildlife management area boundary southeast, then west to its junction with C.R. 183 AV, then north on C.R. 183 AV to its junction with S.R. 40, then west on S.R. 40 to its junction with C.R. 314A, then north on C.R. 314A to its junction with C.R. 314, then northeast on C.R. 314 to its junction with N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. and the point of beginning.
4. Church Lake Unit – Starting at the junction of N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. and C.R. 314, then northwest and northeast on N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. to its junction with N.E. 86th Ln., then northeast on N.E. 86th Ln. to its junction with N.E. 147 Ct., then north on N.E. 147 Ct. to its junction with N.E. 88 St., then west on N.E. 88 St. to its junction with N.E. 146th Ave., then north on N.E. 146th Ave. to its junction with N.E. 89th Lane, then west on N.E. 89th Lane to it junction with N.E. 144th Terr., then north on N.E. 144th Terr. to its terminus, then north to the wildlife management area boundary, then south and east along the wildlife management area boundary to its junction with S.E. 183rd Ave. Rd., then north along S.E. 183rd Ave. Rd. to its junction with S.R. 40, then west along S.R. 40 to its junction with C.R. 314A, then north along C.R. 314A to its junction with C.R. 314, then southwest along C.R. 314 to its junction with N.E. 147th Ave. Rd. and the point of beginning.
(3) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 17-25 19-27 and November 26 28 through January 13 15.
2. Spring turkey – March 16-24 17-25 and March 25 26 through April 21 22.
3. Archery – October 13 15 through November 11 13.
4. No change.
5. Trapping – January 14 16 through March 1.
6. Wild hog-dog – January 18-20 17-19.
7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except antlerless deer), fish, frogs and furbearers. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season.
(c) Camping: Prohibited unless authorized by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Persons licensed to use trapping devices may take trapped furbearers with possess a .22 caliber rimfire firearm other than .22 magnum during the trapping season provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a trapped furbearer.
7. through 8. No change.
(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 27-30 29 through November 1, October 31 through November 4 2-6 and November 5-11 7-13.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 17-19 19-21.
3. General gun – January 12-15 14-17 and 16-20 18-22.
4. Wild hog-still – January 22-24 24-26.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.
7. Small game – January 26 28 through March 3 4.
8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than on foot (pedestrian) or bicycle is prohibited except by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
5. through 6. No change.
7. Taking wildlife with guns is prohibited on the James A. Van Fleet State Trail. Hunters shall transport guns across the State Trail only at designated crossings.
8. No change.
(5) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 3-4 5-6 and November 5 7 through December 30 January 1.
2. Small game – December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
3. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
4. Archery – September 15-16 17-18 and September 17 19 through October 14 16.
5. No change.
6. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24.
7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 26-28 28-30.
8. General gun-dog – December 6-9 8-11 and December 27-30 29 through January 1.
9. through 10. No change.
11. Raccoon – January 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27 27-29 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and US 441 only.
12. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
(b) through (e) No change.
(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area – Prairie Lakes Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 28-30 30 through October 2 and October 5-7 7-9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 16-18 18-20 and 23-25 25-27.
4. Small game – December 8-30 10 through January 1.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
7. No change.
8. Wild hog-still – November 30 through December 2 2-4 and January 4-6 6-8.
9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(7) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 3-11 5-13 and November 12 14 through December 30 January 1.
2. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24.
4. Small game – December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-19, March 28-31 30 through April 1 and April 11-14 13-15.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 10-18 12-20.
2. Archery – September 22 24 through October 7 9.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
4. Small game – November 22 24 through December 30 January 1.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(9) Relay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 3 5 through December 30 January 1.
2. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 22-30.
4. Small game – December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(10) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 4-7 6-9 and 11-14 13-16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-28 27-30 and November 1-4 3-6.
3. General gun – November 15-18 17-20 and 23-25 25-27.
4. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
5. Wild hog-dog – January 11-17 13-19 and February 8-14 10-16.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(11) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 5-7 7-9 and 12-14 14-16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30 and November 2-4 4-6.
3. General gun – November 16-18 18-20.
4. Small game – November 24-25 26-27, December 1-2 3-4, 8-9 10-11 and January 5-6 7-8.
5. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.
6. Wild hog-dog – January 26-27 28-29 and January 28 30 through February 1 3.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 7. No change.
8. Access During the waterfowl and coot seasons as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., access for waterfowl hunting on bodies of water connected to the St. Johns River will be by the St. Johns River only.
9. through 10. No change.
(12) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24.
3. General gun – November 3-11 5-13 and November 12 14 through December 30 January 1.
4. Small game – December 31 through January 20 2-22.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game (except antlerless deer), fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited during the archery season.
(c) through (d) No change.
(13) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 28-30 30 through October 2 and October 5-7 7-9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24 and 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 9-11 11-13 and 16-18 18-20.
4. Small game – December 1-2 3-4, 8-9 10-11 and January 5-6 7-8.
5. No change.
(b) Legal to take: Only deer and wild hog may be taken during the archery, general gun and muzzleloading gun seasons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Only rabbit, gray squirrel, wild hog and bobwhite quail may be taken during the small game season. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, antlerless deer may be taken only by antlerless deer permit.
(c) through (d) No change.
(14) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Duck, light goose and coot – Lake Ponte Vedra shall be open in the special September duck season established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., and the first day of each phase and on Wednesdays and Saturdays of the duck, light goose and coot season established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
2. General gun – November 16-18 18-20 and 23-25 25-27.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 22-24 and 26-28 28-30.
4. Archery – October 5-7 7-9 and 12-14 14-16.
5. Small game – November 30 through December 2 2-4, December 7-8 9-10, January 4-6 6-8, 11-13 13-15, 18-20 20-22 and 25-27 27-29.
6. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per quota permit or per exempt hunter during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Taking wild hog during the last two weekends of the small game season is prohibited. Legal shooting hours for duck, light goose ducks and coot: From the beginning of legal shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. Only one turkey may be taken per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Vehicle access for scouting is allowed only one day prior to each 3-day hunt during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey hunts from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. During the hunts, vehicle access is only allowed from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and until 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the spring turkey hunts when vehicles are only allowed until 2 p.m. Waterfowl scouting is allowed on Lake Ponte Vedra from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the Saturday prior to the opening of each phase of the duck, light goose and coot season established in Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
2. through 17. No change.
(e) No change.
(15) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 5-7 7-9 and 12-14 14-16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 3-5 5-7 and 9-11 11-13.
4. Small game – November 30 through December 2 2-4, December 7-9 9-11 and 14-16 16-18.
5. Wild hog-still – January 11-13 13-15, 18-20 20-22 and 25-27 27-29.
6. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
7. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 5-7 6-8.
8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the archery season, antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. The During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-still season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used during the small game season. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District on lands managed by the District.
3. No change.
4. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, all-terrain vehicles and unregistered and unlicensed motorcycles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons.
5. through 7. No change.
(16) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22-30 24 through October 2.
2. Supervised small game – October 6-14 8-16.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
4. General gun – November 10-13 12-15 and 14-18 16-20.
5. No change.
6. Small game – November 22 24 through January 6 8 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
7. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).
8. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.
9. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(17) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 and November 2-4 28-30.
3. General gun – November 10-13 12-15, 14-18 16-20 and 19-25 21-27.
4. Small game – November 26 28 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-19, March 28-31 30 through April 1 and April 11-14 13-15.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(18) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Small game – November 24 26 through December 9 11 and December 22 24 through January 6 8.
2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.
3. No change.
4. Archery – September 22 24 through October 7 9.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
6. General gun – November 10-18 12-20.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Camping is allowed at designated campsites during special-opportunity spring turkey hunts and at other times by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Vehicular access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to each season (except small game), and during periods when the area is open to hunting. Individuals in possession of a special-opportunity spring turkey permit shall also have vehicular access to the area from sunrise to sunset on the Saturday and Sunday preceding each hunt. Vehicular access is allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry at all other times, except the Bluffton Recreation Area shall be open to vehicular access throughout the year from sunrise to sunset via the St. Johns River Road.
5. through 8. No change.
(e) No change.
(19) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22-25 24-27 and September 26-30 28 through October 2.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – December 1-4 3-6 and 5-9 7-11.
4. Small game – January 12-27 14-29 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Spring turkey – March 16-20 17-20 and 23-27 21-25.
6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 19-21 21-23.
7. Fishing and frogging – During periods open to hunting and at other times as access is allowed by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry and these rules. Fish may be taken only by hook and line or rod and reel. Oaks and Bear Ponds are open to fishing only during daylight hours.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Camping is prohibited during periods open to hunting, except hikers may camp at designated primitive campsites along the Florida Trail throughout the year. During periods closed to hunting, camping is allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed, except that all-terrain vehicles may be used one day prior to and during the general gun for mobility-impaired season but only by persons participating in the mobility-impaired hunt. Vehicle access is allowed only during archery, general gun mobility-impaired, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
4. through 8. No change.
(20) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Wild hog-still – January 25-27 27-29, February 1-3 3-5, 8-10 10-12 and 15-17 17-19.
2. Special-opportunity deer – October 13-19 15-21 and October 27 29 through November 2 4.
3. Small game – November 24 26 through January 20 22.
4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity permit may have vehicle access to the area on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the hunt and only from sunrise to sunset on those days, except on the Saturday and Sunday preceding each spring turkey hunt, when vehicle access shall be allowed only from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area during these times.
7. through 8. No change.
(21) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22 24 through October 7 9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-22 and 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 8-11, 15-18 and 22-25 12-15 and 16-20.
4. Small game – November 26 Thanksgiving Day through the first weekend in January.
5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-19, 22-25 23-25 and March 29 30 through April 1.
6. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Authorized only by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(22) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 28 through October 4 and October 5-11 7-13 and 12-20 14-22.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 2-4 and 9-11 4-6.
3. General gun – November 16-18 18-20, 23-25 25-27 and November 30 through December 2 2-4.
4. Small game – December 8-23 10-25.
5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-19, 21-24 23-25 and March 28-31 30 through April 1.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(23) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-24 22-25, April 2-5 3-6 and 18-21 19-22.
2. Special-opportunity archery – September 20-23 22-25, October 2-5 4-7, 11-14 13-16, 23-26 25-28, November 1-4 3-6, 13-16 15-18, November 29 through December 2 1-4 and December 11-14 13-16.
3. Wild hog-still – January 11-13 13-15.
4. Wild hog-dog – January 23-25 25-27 and February 20-22 22-24.
5. Small game – February 1-3 3-5 and 8-10 10-12.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Camping and camping equipment are is allowed at designated campsites no earlier than beginning at 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and ending the last day of each hunt except during the small game season when camping and camping equipment are allowed no earlier than 8 a.m. on the first day of each hunt. Camping is allowed at other times by permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, unless contained in mobile campers are prohibited. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials is prohibited. Each camper shall assure that their campsite is clean at all times. The altering alteration, defacing, moving, or tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for each campsite shall be visibly affixed to the camping shelter.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 9. No change.
10. Authorized hunting equipment, and dogs and camping equipment may be taken on the area no earlier than beginning at 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and shall be removed from the area the last day of each hunt. During spring turkey season hunting equipment is allowed on the area beginning at 1.5 hours before sunrise the day preceding each hunt.
(24) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season: Supervised small game – October 15-21, November 19-25, December 17-23 and January 14-20.
1. Archery – September 21-23.
2. Supervised small game – October 13-19, November 17-23, December 15-21 and January 12-18.
3. Spring turkey – March 22-24.
(b) Legal to take: All legal small game and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during the supervised small game season. Antlerless deer may not be taken during the archery season. Wild turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. The bag limit for deer is one antlered deer per quota permit. The bag limit for turkey is one bearded turkey or gobbler per quota permit.
(c) through (d) No change.
(25) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22-30 24 through October 2 and October 6-12 8-14.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 10-13 12-15 and 14-18 16-20.
4. Small game – December 1-16 3-18.
5. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.
6. Wild hog-still – January 3-6 5-8 and 17-20 19-22.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. No deer, wild hog or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at a check station.
5.6. No change.
7. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the area and check all game taken.
(26) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity deer – October 27 29 through November 2 4.
2. Small game – December 8-23 10-25.
3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 16-22 17-23, March 30 31 through April 5 6 and April 13-19 14-20.
4. Wild hog-still – October 5-7 7-9, 12-14 14-16 and 19-21 21-23.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(27) Ocklawaha River Wildlife Management Area – Gores Landing Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22 24 through October 7 9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 10-18 12-20.
4. Small game – December 1-16 3-18.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(28) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 20-23 24-26 and September 27-30 30 through October 2.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 8-11 12-14.
4. Wild hog-still – November 16-18 18-20, December 14-16 16-18 and January 11-13 13-15.
5. Small game – January 4-6, 18-20 and 25-27.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19 and 22-24 23-25.
7.6. Fishing and frogging – During periods open to hunting and at other times as access is allowed by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry and these rules.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
4. No change.
(29) Twelve Mile Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 22-30.
3. General gun – November 3 5 through December 30 January 1.
4. Small game – December 31 January 2 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. No change.
8. Trapping – December 31 January 2 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(30) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 15 17 through October 14 16.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 20-28 22-30.
3. General gun – November 3 5 through January 13 15.
4. Small game – January 14 16 through March 3 4.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16 17 through April 21 22.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 17-18 19-20. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 3 5 through December 30 January 1.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game, duck and coot seasons, and dogs may be used for wild hog hunting during January 16-20 18-22.
7. through 10. No change.
(31) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22 24 through October 7 9 and November 17-25 19-27.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 29 through November 4 6.
3. Wild hog-still – January 19-27 21-29.
4. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, March 29-31 30 through April 1 and April 12-14 13-15.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All hunters shall check in and out at the check station and check all game taken.
7. through 11. renumbered 6. through 10. No change.
(32) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22-30 24 through October 2 and October 1-7 3-9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 28-30.
3. General gun – November 10-13 12-15 and 14-18 16-20.
4. Small game – December 7-9 9-11, 14-16 16-18; January 4-6 6-8, 11-13 13-15; February 8-10 10-12, 15-17 17-19.
5. Wild hog-dog – January 17-20 19-22.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.
7. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per quota permit. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-dog and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Vehicle Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access is also allowed during small game season. At all other times, public access other than by foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian) or bicycle is prohibited.
7. No change.
8. No deer, wild hog or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at a check station, except wild hog during small game season.
9. No change.
(33) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 22-28, September 29 24 through October 7 2 and October 8-14 3-9.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 and November 2-4 28-30.
3. Family hunt – November 10-11 12-13.
4. General gun – November 12-18 14-20.
5. Wild hog-still – December 1-7 and 8-16 3-11.
6. Small game – January 7-22 9-24.
7. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-20 and 28-31 21-25 and April 4-7.
8. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Allowed only by permit from the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(34) No change.
(35) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 28 through October 4, October 5-11 7-13 and 12-20 14-22.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 and November 2-4 4-6.
3. General gun – November 9-11 11-13, 16-18 18-20 and November 30 through December 2 2-4.
4. Small game – December 8-16 10-18 and January 5-11 7-13.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 9-10 10-11.
6. Spring turkey – March 16-19 17-19, 22-25 23-25 and March 29 30 through April 1.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be two antlered deer per quota permit. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota hunt permit.
(c) Camping: Prohibited unless authorized by the Florida Forest Service Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(36) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 15-21 17-23, 22-28 24-30, September 29 through October 5 1-7, October 6-12 8-14 and 13-21 15-23.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 2-4 4-6.
3. General gun – November 16-18 18-20, 23-25 25-27 and November 30 through December 2 2-4.
4. Small game – During the open season for gray squirrel established in Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. that does not coincide with the established area general gun season dates.
5. Spring turkey – March 16-18 17-19, 22-24 23-25 and March 29-31 30 through April 1.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 8-11-11, 7-1-12.
BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.W.