RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-15.065: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes 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 is to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule changes 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:
Tosohatchee; Seminole Ranch WMAs – The proposed rule would switch the second 7-day general gun hog hunt on Tosohatchee WMA (last week of January) with the 7-day general gun hog hunt on Seminole Ranch WMA (second week of February), with no change in the number of days open to hunting. These areas are geographically adjacent. The effect of this change would allow additional recreational opportunities on Tosohatchee WMA between hunts.
Matanzas WMA – The proposed rule would establish a 9-day general gun hog season with a quota of 50.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, 372.121, 375.313 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, 372.121, 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: During the Commission’s regular meeting, February 7-8, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, West, Destin, Florida 32550
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 5 calendar 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 by calling (850)488-9542.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Nick Wiley, 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) Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22. A special quota permit will be required for the September 22-23 23-24 hunt.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Ft. McCoy Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7-27 8-28.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy Management Units only.

5. Fox, bobcat and raccoon – November 10 11 through April 13 15.

6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 22-25, 27-30 March 29 through April 1, April 3-6 5-8 and 10-13 12-15.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take:

1. No change.

2. Furbearing animals – During the November 10 11 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is permitted only in the Pipeline and Church Lake Management Units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 3 5 through April 13 15 only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be permitted from January 7 8 through April 13 15, only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV, and west of S.R. 19.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 7 8 through April 13 15 in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV, and west of S.R. 19.

9. No change.

(e) No change.

(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 21-23 23-25 and 28-30 March 30 through April 1.

5. Small game – January 12 13 through February 17 18.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

7. General gun for mobility impaired – November 2-4 3-5.

8. General gun-dog – December 6-9 7-10, 20-23 21-24 and 27-30 December 28-31 in that area between the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 441 only.

9. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(7) Prairie Lakes Unit, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

4. Small game – December 8-30 9-31.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. No change.

7. General gun hog – November 30 through December 2 December 1-3 and January 4-6 5-7.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. No change.

(b)1. Legal to take:

1. All legal game, fish, except as provided below, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on wild hogs.

2. No change.

(c) through (d) No change.

(9) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – November 22 23 through December 30 31.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Relay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-30 28 through October 1 and October 4-7 5-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 11-14 12-15 and 18-21 19-22.

3. General gun – November 15-18 16-19 and 23-25 24-26.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, March 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

5. General gun hog – January 11-17 12-18 and February 8-14 January 26 through February 1.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-28 28-29 and November 3-4 4-5.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – November 24-25, 25-26 and December 1-2 2-3, and 8-9 9-10 and January 5-6 6-7.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 21-23 23-25 and 28-30 March 30 through April 1.

6. General gun hog – January 26 through February 1 February 10-16.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

4. Small game – January 7-27 8-28.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22.

3. General gun – November 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – December 1-2 2-3, 8-9 9-10 and January 5-6 6-7.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. General gun – November 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29 and November 2-4 3-5.

4. Archery – October 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22.

5. Small game – November 30 through December 2, December 1-3, December 7-9 8-10, January 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (e) No change.

(16) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-12 11-13 and 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – November 30 through December 2 December 1-3, December 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.

5. General gun hog – January 12-13 13-14 and 19-20 20-21.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 23-25, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 4-6 6-8.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1.

2. Supervised small game – October 7-15 8-16.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

5. No change.

6. Small game – November 22 23 through January 6 7 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(18) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-25 11-26.

4. Small game – November 26 27 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 24 25 through December 9 10 and December 22 23 through January 6 7.

2. Special-opportunity turkey – March 15-21 17-23, March 29 31 through April 4 6 and April 12-18 14-20.

3. General gun hog – January 12-15 13-16, 16-21 17-22, and 22-27 23-28.

4. through 5. No change.

6. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

7. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

8. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

(b) through (e) No change.

(20) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-25 23-26 and September 26-30 27 through October 1.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – December 1-4 2-5 and 5-9 6-10.

4. Small game – January 12-27 13-28 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 19-21 20-22.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun hog – January 25-27 26-28, February 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

2. Special-opportunity deer – October 27 28 through November 2 3 and November 10-16 11-17.

3. Small game – November 24 25 through January 20 21.

4. Special-opportunity turkey – March 15-21 17-23, March 29 31 through April 4 6 and April 12-18 14-20.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. No change.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 21-23 23-25 and 28-30 March 30 through April 1.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Little Big Econlockhatchee Wildlife Management Area – Kilbee Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 5-7 6-8 and 12-14 13-15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 2-4 3-5.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – December 8-23 9-24 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. General gun hog – January 11-13 12-14 and 25-27 26-28.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(24) Lake Panasoffke Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity turkey – March 20-23 22-25, April 1-4 3-6 and 17-20 19-22.

2. Special-opportunity archery – September 27-30 28 through October 1, October 4-7, 5-8 and 16-19 17-20, November 1-4, 2-5 and 13-16 14-17, November 29 30 through December 2 3, December 11-14 12-15 and January 3-6 4-7.

3. Special-opportunity hog-still – January 11-13 12-14.

4. Special-opportunity hog-dog – January 23-25 24-26.

5. Small game – February 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season: Supervised small game – October 13-19 14-20, November 17-23 18-24, December 15-21 16-22 and January 12-18 13-19.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1 and October 1-7 2-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-13 11-14 and 14-18 15-19.

4. Small game – December 1-16 2-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

6. General gun hog – January 3-6 4-7 and 17-20 18-21.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Special-opportunity deer – November 10-16 11-17.

2. Small game – December 8-23 9-24.

3. Special-opportunity turkey – March 15-21 17-23, March 29 31 through April 4 6 and April 12-18 14-20.

4. Special-opportunity wild hog – October 5-7 6-8, 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Ocklawaha River Wildlife Management Area – Gores Landing Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. Small game – December 1-16 2-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(29) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-12 11-13.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19 and 21-23 23-25.

5. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(30) Twelve Mile Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 20 21.

4. Small game – January 21 22 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 17-18 18-19. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. The period of November 10 11 through January 6 7 is open for bearded turkey only. No bag or size limits on wild hogs. Wild hogs may be taken during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and small game season.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 7. No change.

8. 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 hog hunting during the period January 23-27 24-28.

9. through 12. No change.

(32) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8 and November 17-25 18-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. Wild hog – January 19-27 20-28.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1 and October 1-7 2-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-13 11-14 and 14-18 15-19.

4. Small game – December 1-16 2-17.

5. General gun hog – January 17-20 18-21.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1 and October 1-7 2-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. Family hunt – November 10-11 11-12.

4. General gun – November 12-18 13-19.

5. General gun hog – December 1-9.

6.5. Small game – January 7-22 8-23.

7.6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

8.7. Fishing and frogging – Permitted throughout the year.

(b) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 372.121, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 372.121, 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, 7-1-07.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mr. Nick Wiley, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mr. Kenneth D. Haddad, Executive Director
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 6, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: November 22, 2006