RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-13.003: Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to expand hunting opportunities for waterfowl hunters and falconers. The effect of the proposed rule changes is to allow Canada geese to be taken statewide and allow falconry as a legal method of take for light geese and Canada geese.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule changes would expand the area currently open for Canada goose season from the Florida waters of Lake Seminole in Jackson County that are south of SR 2, north of the Jim Woodruff Dam and east of CR 271 to statewide. Falconers will be allowed to take light geese and Canada geese statewide.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT 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.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, February 6-7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 4200 Marriott Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408
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 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: 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-13.003 Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots.

The Commission has approved the following regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese, and coots:

(1) Duck, light goose, and coot season:

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) In addition to the open season specified in paragraph (1)(a) above, a “Youth Waterfowl Hunt” will be held on the first Saturday and Sunday following the last Sunday in January. Youth hunters must be under 16 years of age and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(f) ~~and (g),~~ and subsection (4). Florida gallinules (common moorhens) may also be taken on the “Youth Waterfowl Hunt;” bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

(e) through (f) No change.

(2) through (3) No change.

(4) Canada goose season:

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

~~4. Canada geese may be taken only in the Florida waters of Lake Seminole in Jackson County that are south of SR 2, north of the Jim Woodruff Dam, and east of CR 271.~~

(b) through (c) No change.

(5) Falconry:

(a) Ducks, mergansers, ~~light~~ geese, and coots may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset by the use of a falcon during the open season. The daily bag limit for all migratory game bird species shall be three, singly or in the aggregate, and two days’ bag may be possessed. ~~Light geese may only be taken north and west of the Suwannee River.~~

(b) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 10-23-79, 8-19-80, 9-29-81, 8-30-82, 7-27-83, 8-13-84, 8-13-85, 10-1-85, Formerly 39-13.03, Amended 8-5-86, 8-24-87, 8-18-88, 12-12-88, 8-17-89, 10-30-89, 8-9-90, 10-31-90, 8-22-91, 10-31-91, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 9-2-93, 10-28-93, 11-6-94, 10-23-95, 10-20-96, 8-7-97, 10-28-97, 11-12-98, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-13.003, Amended 11-7-00, 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 2-1-06, 7-1-06, 1-9-07, 7-1-08.

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 FAW.