RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-15.062: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central 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 changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:
Bayard WMA – allow only tent camping and only at designated sites.
Belmore WMA (NEW) – establish a new WMA (approximately 8,737 acres) with the following open seasons: archery – three 3-day hunts (quota of 45 per hunt, no exemptions); muzzleloading gun – 3-day season (quota of 45, no exemptions); family hunt – 2-day hunt (quota of 20, no exemptions); general gun – one 4-day hunt and one 5-day hunt (quota of 45 per hunt, no exemptions); small game – six 3-day hunts; spring turkey – three 3-day hunts (quota of 10 per hunt, no exemptions); and fishing and frogging throughout the year; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; bag limits – archery – one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit, family hunt – one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit, muzzleloading gun and general gun – one antlered deer per person per permit per season, spring turkey – one gobbler per person per permit; antlered deer must have at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length; prohibit use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; allow vehicles only on named or numbered roads; prohibit tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs; prohibit camping; prohibit hunting with dogs except bird dogs allowed during the small game and waterfowl seasons; allow horses and bicycles on roads and designated trails only; prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise and require entry and exit only through designated entrances.
Big Bend WMA, Hickory Mound Unit – require that all persons enter and exit the WMA only at designated entrances; add a section of Swartz Tram (between Cow Creek and J.C. Franklin Grades) open for public use from May 31 through August 31; remove requirement for quota permit after the first 16 days of the general gun season and remove the requirement for a daily permit for waterfowl hunting; and reduce the timeframe when hunters must check all game taken from the entire season to the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons.
Big Bend WMA, Jena Unit – eliminate the requirement that hunters check in and out, check all game, and obtain a daily use permit.
Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – allow trappers to take trapped furbearers with .22s during the trapping season.
Big Bend WMA, Spring Creek Unit – require all persons to enter and exit the WMA only at designated entrances; add roads on which the public could travel year-round; and reduce the timeframe when hunters must check all game taken from the entire season to the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons and all days of the muzzleloader gun season.
Big Bend WMA, Tide Swamp Unit – change the definition of legal to take for antlered deer to those having three or more points on at least one antler, each point one inch or more in length; and reduce the timeframe when hunters must check all game taken from the entire season to the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons and all days of the muzzleloader gun season.
Big Shoals WMA – prohibit taking turkey with centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; eliminate the quota and check-in check-out requirements during the small game season; and add wild hog as legal to take during the small game season.
Camp Blanding WMA – prohibit hunting from the right-of-way of Dade, Treat and Impact Roads; allow harvest of wild hog during all seasons except spring turkey, no size or bag limit; and allow the use of bird dogs on the still hunt area after the first 16 days of the general gun season.
Cary WMA – replace five 2-day archery hunts with two 3-day hunts (increase quota from 55 to 60 per hunt), increase muzzleloading gun quota from 55 to 60 per hunt, establish a 2-day family hunt (quota of 40, no exemptions), establish a general gun season with two 3-day hunts (quota of 60 per hunt, no exemptions); eliminate bird dog training season but establish a small game season with six 3-day hunts, and establish a spring turkey season with three 3-day hunts (quota of 10 per hunt, no exemptions); require hunters to enter and exit only at the designated entrance; remove requirement for hunters to check in and out; allow camping at designated sites by permit from the landowner; allow hunting with bird dogs during small game season; and prohibit the use of centerfire rifles.
Citrus WMA – prohibit use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; and require turkeys to be checked during the spring turkey season.
Cypress Creek WMA – prohibit ATVs.
Devil’s Hammock WMA – allow bicycling and horseback riding year-round.
Flying Eagle WMA – provide a non-hunting scouting day before the second hunts of archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons; and extend scouting hours during the spring turkey season to 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset.
Four Creeks WMA (NEW) – establish a new WMA (approximately 13,147 acres) with the following open seasons: archery – three 3-day hunts (quota of 55 per hunt, no exemptions); muzzleloading gun – 3-day season (quota of 55, no exemptions); family hunt – 2-day hunt (quota of 20, no exemptions); general gun – one 4-day hunt and one 5-day hunt (quota of 55 per hunt, no exemptions); small game – six 3-day hunts; spring turkey – three 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); waterfowl legal during the statewide seasons; and fishing and frogging throughout the year; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; bag limits – archery – one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit, family hunt – one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit, muzzleloading gun and general gun – one antlered deer per person per permit per season, spring turkey – one gobbler per person per permit; antlered deer must have at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length; prohibit use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; allow vehicles only on named or numbered roads; prohibit tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs; prohibit hunting with dogs except bird dogs during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers during waterfowl seasons; allow horses and bicycles on roads and designated trails only; prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise and require entry and exit only through designated entrances (which includes navigable waterways).
Goethe WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; and add frogs as legal to take.
Hatchet Creek WMA (NEW) – establish a new WMA (approximately 2,760 acres) with the following open seasons: archery – three 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); muzzleloading gun – 3-day season (quota of 15, no exemptions); family hunt – 2-day hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions); general gun – two 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); spring turkey – three 3-day hunts (quota of 5 per hunt, no exemptions); and fishing and frogging throughout the year; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; bag limits – archery – one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit, family hunt – one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit, muzzleloading gun and general gun – one antlered deer per person per permit per season, spring turkey – one gobbler per person per permit; antlered deer must have at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length; prohibit taking wildlife from Boundary Road; allow vehicular access only on hunt days and the day before each hunt; allow vehicles only on named or numbered roads; prohibit tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs; prohibit hunting with dogs; allow bicycles on roads and designated trails only; require a valid quota permit of all persons entering the area on hunt days; require hunters to enter and exit only through designated entrances and require them to check in and out at the check station and check all game.
Homosassa WMA – establish an archery season with three 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); bag limit for deer of one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit; and define legal to take for antlered deer to those having three or more points on at least one antler, each point one inch or more in length.
Jennings Forest WMA – change definition of legal to take antlered deer to those having three or more points on at least one antler, each point one inch or more in length; and prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; increase the number of hunts during the archery season from three to four and during the general gun season from two to three; open a currently closed area for bird dog training and archery hunting; and redefine the area for youth small-game season.
Little River WMA – add quail as legal to take during the first hunt of the small game season and allow use of bird dogs during that time.
Log Landing WMA (NEW) – establish a new WMA (approximately 1,147 acres) with the following open seasons: archery – two hunts, 16-day and 9-day (no quota permit required); muzzleloading gun – 3-day season (no quota permit required); small game – six 3-day hunts (no quota permit required); spring turkey – 9-day season (no quota permit required); and fishing and frogging throughout the year; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; prohibit motorized vehicles; prohibit hunting deer or wild hog with dogs; allow only bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of fifteen inches or less and only during the small game season; dogs on a leash may be used for tracking; prohibit fires; prohibit public access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise; prohibit taking wildlife with centerfire rifles; and require public access only at designated entrances or via the Suwannee River.
Mallory Swamp WMA – allow horses year-round; and camping year-round with a permit from the landowner.
Middle Aucilla WMA – allow camping year-round with a permit from the landowner.
Nassau WMA – allow take of wild hog during all seasons, except spring turkey, no size or bag limit.
Osceola WMA – restrict motorized vehicles and bicycles to designated roads; and reduce requirement to check deer at a check station from the entire season to only the first 16 days of the general gun season.
PotashCorp – White Springs WMA – allow the take of geese.
Potts WMA – provide for non-hunting scouting days between each of the two hunts of the archery and spring turkey seasons; and extend the scouting hours during spring turkey season to 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset.
Raiford WMA – prohibit ATVs; and eliminate the requirement to sign in and out at a self-service check station.
Ralph Simmons WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; and allow camping during the small game season with a permit from the landowner.
San Pedro Bay WMA – eliminate requirement to check in and out at a self-service check station.
Steinhatchee Springs WMA – allow horses year-round; and camping year-round with a permit from the landowner.
Thomas Creek WMA (NEW) – establish a new WMA (approximately 1,753 acres) with the following open seasons: archery – three 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); muzzleloading gun – 3-day season (quota of 15, no exemptions); family hunt – 2-day hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions); general gun – two 3-day hunts (quota of 15 per hunt, no exemptions); small game – six 3-day hunts (no quota permit required); spring turkey – three 3-day hunts (quota of 5 per hunt, no exemptions); and fishing and frogging throughout the year; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; motorized vehicles would be prohibited; bicycles would be allowed on named or numbered roads and designated trails; prohibit hunting deer or wild hog with dogs; allow bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches; allow bicycles on roads and designated trails only; require a valid quota permit of all persons entering the area on hunt days, except the small game season and require entry and exit only through designated entrances.
Twin Rivers WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season.
Additional proposed rule changes would simplify and standardize regulations related to the take of wild hog on WMAs; liberalize regulations related to the possession of firearms, in accordance with Florida Statutes; and provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.
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 375.313 FS.
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 6-7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Bay Point Marriot 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun still – Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 57 days thereafter, only in the following areas:

a. through b. No change.

c. The archery only area, in which only bows may be used, is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.

2. General gun dog – Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving ~~third Saturday of November~~ and continuing for eight days thereafter, and opening the Saturday before Christmas (or Christmas Day when it occurs on a Saturday) and continuing for eight days thereafter. Only in the dog hunt area, which is north of State Road 16 and County Road 215, and east of County Road 225 and West Road.

3. No change.

4. Archery – September 23-25 ~~25-27~~ and September 30 through October 2 ~~2-4~~, only in the still hunt areas.; and the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 57 days thereafter in the archery only area, which is within the area described by a line beginning at the intersection of County Road 225 and Woodbury Road, then southeast on County Road 225 to State Road 16, then south on State Road 16 and County Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary on the east side of County Road 230, then east along the Camp Blanding boundary to Duval Road, then south on Duval Road to Yerkes Road, then west on Yerkes Road to Treat Road, then north on Treat Road to Lightning Strike Road, then west and north on Lightning Strike Road to State Road 230, then west on State Road 230 to the Camp Blanding boundary, then north along the Camp Blanding boundary to State Road 16, then east on the south side of State Road 16 to Lightning Strike Road, then north on Lightning Strike Road to Bessent Road, then north on Bessent Road to the starting point. A disjunct portion of the archery only area is south of County Road 215, east of Rifle Range Road, north of State Road 16 and west of the Camp Blanding boundary.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 7-9 ~~9-11~~ and 14-16 ~~16-18~~, only in the still hunt areas.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – December 1 through January 4 6, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. Turkeys of either sex may be taken during the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons and the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited in the archery only and still hunt areas. Antler restrictions shall not apply during the supervised youth hunt. During the supervised youth hunts, only wild hog and one antlered or antlerless deer may be taken per youth.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Possession or use of a dog, other than a dog on a leash for trailing wounded game, is prohibited except in the dog hunt area. and bird dogs are allowed in still hunt areas 1 and 2 but only after the first 16 days of the general gun season.

4. No change.

5. During the spring turkey quota hunts, hunters will be assigned to a zone and may enter only that zone. ~~Persons assigned to Zone A shall use only Barker and Black Creek roads to enter and exit the area.~~ Hunters may not enter the area before 5 a.m. each day and shall exit by 1 p.m. of each hunt day. During spring turkey hunts, only persons eligible for the hunt are permitted in the area.

6. No change.

7. Only shotguns are permitted for taking turkey during the spring turkey season.

8. Taking wildlife with shotguns is ~~Shotguns are~~ prohibited during the archery season.

9. Only muzzleloading guns are allowed for taking wildlife during the muzzleloading gun season.

10. through 14. No change.

15. It shall be unlawful to take wildlife on, upon or from the rights-of-way of Dade, Treat and Impact Roads.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 21-29 ~~15-23~~.

2. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, ~~Deer, hogs,~~ gray squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and fish. ~~No size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs, other than ~~bird dogs and~~ dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, is prohibited.

2. No change.

3. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 18 20.

2. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

3. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8-21 ~~10-23~~, November 22 24 through December 7 9 and December 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

3. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

5. Waterfowl ~~Duck~~ and coot – During the seasons ~~duck and coot season~~ established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

6. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

7. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~

(c) Camping: Camping allowed only by permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District, and only at the designated campsite.

(d) General regulations:

1. Taking wild hog ~~The taking of~~ ~~hogs~~ by the use of dogs is prohibited.

2. through 6. No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 20 22 through October 12 14.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 17-24 ~~19-26~~ in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

6. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – August 2 4 through September 23 25 in the dog hunt portion of the area only from sunset to sunrise.

7. No change.

8. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

9. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. ~~Wild hogs may be taken only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and small game seasons. No size or bag limits on wild hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. The dog hunt area is within the area created by traversing south on Forest Service Road 237 from its intersection with the north boundary of the Osceola National Forest; southeast on Forest Service Road 263; south on Forest Service Road 234; east and north on County Road 250 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; north along the east boundary of the West 1/2 of Section 3, Township 1 South, Range 20 East; west along the Base Line until it intersects Forest Road 24; northwest on Forest Road 24; north on Forest Road 4; east on Forest Road 3 to Eddy Grade; northwesterly on Eddy Grade to State Road 2; northwest on State Road 2; southwest on Forest Service Road 295; west on Forest Service Road 296F; south on Forest Service Road 296C; east and south on Forest Service Road 296E; south on Forest Service Road 295; south on Forest Service Road 297 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; then due west to the northwest corner of Section 23, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then south along the east side of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East to the southeast corner of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then west to the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then north along the west boundary of the East 1/2 of the West 1/2 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the south boundary of Section 20, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then west along the north boundary of Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the Baker County/Columbia County line; then south along the County Line to Forest Road 36; south to Forest Road 46; south on Forest Road 39; west on Forest Road 42 until it becomes Forest Service Road 212; south on Forest Service Road 212; west on Forest Service Road 272; north on Forest Service Road 270 to the Forest Boundary; then west back to the beginning point of Forest Service Road 237. Except within the dog hunt areas, the possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 27 through November 3 5, except in the still hunt area.

3. No change.

4. In that portion of the dog hunt area, north of Forest Service Road 262, vehicles shall be restricted to numbered roads from August 1 through January 15. In that portion of the area south of I-10 vehicles shall be restricted to numbered roads year-round. In that portion of the area lying north and northeast of Forest Service Road 200, west of Forest Service Road 255, north of Forest Service Road 232, north of Forest Service Road 212, and north of Forest Service Road 212-A in Baker County; and those land lying north of Forest Road 36 in Columbia County, Motorized vehicles and bicycles shall be restricted to named or numbered roads or those roads posted as mixed use roads ~~year-round~~.

5. All deer taken during the first 16 days of the general gun season must be checked at a check station. No deer shall be dismembered during that period, until checked at a check station.

6. No change.

7. During the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat, deer-dog training and general gun seasons, the possession of dogs other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers is prohibited, except on roads adjacent to the dog hunt area, all lands within the dog hunt area and Interstate 10; State Road 2; County Roads 125, 229, 250, 250A, Eddy Grade and Baxter Grade; and Forest Roads 231, 236 (east from US 441 into the dog hunt area only), 237, 262, 263 and 285. Additionally, any leashed or caged dog may be kept at the East Tower hunt camp during the general gun season.

8. During the general gun and small game seasons, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed, but only in the dog hunt area. Persons may possess and use guns year-round on the shooting range. Guns being transported to and from the range shall be unloaded and cased. During periods when hunting is not allowed guns must be transported to and from the range from US 90, north on McCloskey Avenue to Forest Road 278, then west to the gun range; or from Williams Road to Forest Road 217, then easterly on Forest Road 278 to the range.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

4. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

5. No change.

6. Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C. ~~Early duck – In the September season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

~~7. Duck and coot – During the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

7.8. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

8.9. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Taking wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. During the muzzleloading gun season and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters ~~Hunters~~ shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area, obtain a daily hunt permit, which they shall keep on their person, and ~~shall~~ check all game taken. ~~during the general gun, archery, muzzleloading gun, and spring turkey seasons.~~

4. through 7. No change.

8. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons hunters shall obtain a daily hunt permit, issued at either check station, when entering the area and retain it in their possession while on the area.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

4. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

5. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

6. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

7. Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C. ~~Early duck – In the September season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

~~8. Duck and coot – During the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

8.9. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking wild hog with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches is prohibited. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.

(d) General regulations:

1. During the muzzleloading gun season and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters ~~Hunters~~ shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area and shall check all game taken.

2. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from September 1 through April 30. From May 1 through August 31, motorized vehicles may be operated only on Spring Creek Road, King Road from County Road 361A to its intersection with Mule Wallow Spur; Mule Wallow Spur from its intersection with King Road to the intersection with Swamp Spur, Swamp Spur, Rock Road and Road Spurs 1, 2 and 3.

3. through 6. No change.

7. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

5. No change.

6. Waterfowl ~~Duck~~ and coot – Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and the first day of each phase of the duck and coot season on the Hickory Mound Impoundment and permitted every day of the season on the remainder of the area as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(d) General regulations:,

1. Waterfowl ~~Duck~~ and coot shooting hours for the Hickory Mound Impoundment: From the beginning of shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon.

2. through 3. No change.

4. Taking wildlife with ~~Possession of~~ shotguns within the Hickory Mound Impoundment is allowed only during days when waterfowl ~~duck~~ and coot hunting is allowed and only for taking migratory game birds.

5. No change.

6. During the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters ~~Hunters~~ shall check in and out at a ~~designated~~ check station when entering or exiting the area, obtain a daily hunt permit which they shall keep on their person, and ~~shall~~ check all game taken. ~~during the archery, general gun, spring turkey, early duck and regular duck and coot seasons.~~ Waterfowl hunters using the Hickory Mound Impoundment must check in and out at the check station whenever it is manned and check all game taken. ~~Hunters shall obtain a daily hunt permit upon checking in and retain it in their possession while on the area.~~

7. Only shotguns or bows and arrows are allowed for taking wildlife ~~permitted~~ in the Hickory Mound Impoundment.

8. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from September 1 through April 30 except that Ward Tram will be open to vehicles only during the general gun season. From May 1 through August 31, motorized vehicles may be operated only on Cow Creek Grade, Coker Road, Swartz Tram west of J.C. Franklin Grade ~~Cow Creek Grade~~ and J.C. Franklin Grade.

9. through 12. No change.

13. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances. The Painted Rock Road entrance shall only be used during the general gun season.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

3. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

4. No change.

5. Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C. ~~Early duck – In the September season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

~~6. Duck and coot – During the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.~~

6.7. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. During the general gun and small game ~~gun~~ seasons, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed ~~permitted~~.

4. No change.

5. Taking of wild hog ~~hogs~~ by the use of dogs is prohibited.

6. No change.

7. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area, and shall check all game taken during the general gun and spring turkey seasons. Hunters shall obtain a daily use permit upon checking in and retain it in their possession while on the area.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. General gun – November 8-30 ~~10 through~~ ~~December 2~~.

4. Small game – January 3 5 through February 1 3.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-29, March 30 through April 5 and April 6-12 ~~15 through April 6~~.

6. Trapping – January 3 5 through March 1.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per day. The bag limit for wild turkeys shall be one per person per season. Taking wild hog is prohibited during the small game season. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. During the trapping season, taking furbearers with a .22 caliber rimfire firearm is allowed; however, the firearm may only be loaded immediately prior to the shooting of a trapped furbearer.

(11) PotashCorp – White Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Waterfowl ~~Duck~~ and coot – Wednesdays and Saturdays of the ~~duck and coot~~ seasons ~~and Wednesdays and Saturdays of the experimental duck season in September,~~ established by ~~pursuant to~~ Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

2. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Waterfowl ~~Ducks~~ and coots only. Legal shooting hours: From the beginning of shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Public access is prohibited, except by those persons with written permission from the landowner or by hunters on days open to hunting. Hunters may enter the area beginning at 5~~:00~~ a.m. and shall exit the area by 1~~:00~~ p.m.; except that scouting is permitted during daylight hours two days prior to each phase of the waterfowl seasons.

3. No change.

~~4. The possession or use of rifles or pistols is prohibited.~~

5. through 8. renumbered 4. through 7. No change.

8.9. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs is prohibited, except that waterfowl retrievers may be used.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 8-16 ~~10-18~~.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-29 ~~15-23~~.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs, and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~ Wild turkey ~~turkeys~~ may be taken during the muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. During archery, muzzleloading gun, and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons, hunters are allowed on the area from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hourse after sunset. During spring turkey season, hunters are allowed on the area from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1:30 p.m.

4. Vehicles are prohibited in the walk-in area south and west of C.R. 125. In the remainder of the area, vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads; except that all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

5. Only bows, ~~and~~ muzzleloading rifles and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for taking wildlife ~~permitted~~.

6. through 7. No change.

~~8. Hunters shall check in and out at the self-service check station near the Shack Road gate when entering or exiting the area and shall record all game taken.~~

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8-16 ~~10-18~~.

2. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, antlerless deer (during archery only), ~~during the general gun and muzzleloading gun hunts and any deer except spotted fawns during the archery hunts;~~ wild hog~~s of any size;~~ and gray squirrel ~~squirrels~~. Taking any other animal is prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking wildlife with handguns is ~~Handguns are~~ prohibited.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 26-28 ~~28-30~~ and October 3-5 ~~5-7~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~ and October 31 through November 2 ~~2-4~~.

3. General gun – November 14-16 ~~16-18~~.

4. Small game – January 2-4 ~~4-6~~, 9-11 ~~11-13~~ and 16-18 ~~18-20~~.

5. Family hunt – January 31 through February 1 ~~2-3~~ and February 7-8 ~~9-10~~.

6. Spring turkey – March 27-29 ~~21-23~~ and April 17-19 ~~11-13~~.

7. Supervised deer-hog youth hunt – October 11-12 ~~13-14~~ and 18-19 ~~20-21~~.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one ~~deer~~ per quota hunt permit. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~ During the family hunt, only wild hog may be taken. During the supervised deer-hog youth hunt, only antlered deer, antlerless deer by permit only, and wild hog may be taken.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-27 ~~24-29~~, September 29 through October 4 ~~1-6~~ and October 6-11 ~~8-13~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~ and October 31 through November 2 ~~2-4~~.

3. Small game – December 15-20 ~~17-22~~ and 22-27 ~~24-29~~.

4. Spring turkey – March 26-28 ~~20-22~~ and April 16-18 ~~10-12~~.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: During the archery season only antlerless and antlered deer, wild hog ~~hogs~~, turkey of either sex, rabbit, and gray squirrel may be taken. During the muzzleloading gun season only antlered deer, wild hog ~~hogs~~, rabbit ~~rabbits~~ and gray squirrel ~~squirrels~~ may be taken. During the small game season only wild hog, rabbit ~~rabbits~~ and gray squirrel ~~squirrels~~ may be taken. During the spring turkey season only bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken. ~~No size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~ All legal fish.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area, and shall check all game taken, except during the small game season.

3. through 5. No change.

6. Persons may enter the area no earlier than one and one-half (1.5 ~~1 1/2~~) hours before sunrise and shall exit no later than one and one-half (1.5 ~~1 1/2~~) hours after sunset year around.

7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. General gun – November 8-18 ~~10-20~~.

4. Small game – November 29 through December 21 ~~1-23~~.

5. Spring turkey – March 27-29 ~~21-23~~ and April 17-19 ~~11-13~~.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, ~~wild hogs,~~ turkey (archery and spring turkey season only), gray squirrel, quail, rabbit and fish ~~and rabbit~~. ~~Antlerless deer may be taken during the archery season.~~ The bag limit for deer is one per person per season for each of the following seasons: archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~ The bag limit for turkey is one per person per hunt during the archery season and one per 3-day hunt period during the spring turkey season. ~~All legal fish.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. All-terrain vehicles are prohibited ~~on the area~~.

8. through 9. No change.

10. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited. ~~Wild hogs may not be transported alive.~~

11. Taking wild hog ~~of hogs~~ by the use of dogs is prohibited.

(17) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area – Blue Springs Unit.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking wildlife with ~~The possession of~~ firearms is prohibited except with ~~that~~ blank-firing pistols ~~will be allowed~~ during the bird dog training season by persons in possession of a bird dog training permit; and with shotguns ~~will be allowed~~ during the special-opportunity quail season by those persons in possession of a valid special-opportunity quail permit.

7. through 8. No change.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-23, 24-27, September 28 22 through October 1 and October 2-5 7.

2. Supervised small game – October 11-19 ~~13-21~~, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek ~~east of Black Creek only~~.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

4. Bird dog training – Only in the Normandy Unit and only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through January; except that bird dog training is prohibited during the archery season.

5.4. General gun – November 8-12, 13-17 and 18-23 ~~10-25~~.

6.5. Small game – January 9 11 through February 8 10, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

7.6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 ~~15-18~~ and 25-29 ~~19-23~~.

8.7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers except bobcat and otter. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, the bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey ~~(bearded turkey)~~ per quota permit. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles, and or all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

3. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed ~~permitted~~ during the small game season except in the Normandy Unit, where bird dogs are allowed only during the bird dog training season.

4. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife with ~~The possession of~~ guns is prohibited in or on permanent wildlife viewing structures.

8. through 9. No change.

10. Wildlife may be taken in the Normandy Unit only during the bird dog training and archery seasons.

11. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

12. During the bird dog trainining season blank-firing pistols may be used in the Normandy Unit.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 10-12 1~~2-14~~, 24-26 ~~26-28~~, October 31 through November 2 ~~2-4~~ and December 12-14 ~~14-16~~.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 27-29 ~~21-23~~ and April 17-19 ~~11-13~~.

3. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Any deer (except spotted fawns), ~~wild hogs,~~ bearded turkey, gray squirrel, ~~and~~ rabbit and fish. The bag limit shall be one deer and one turkey per quota permit. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~ ~~All legal fish.~~

(d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 12 14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 8-10 ~~10-12~~ and 11-13 ~~13-15~~.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 14-16 ~~16-18~~ and 17-20 ~~19-22~~.

5. Small game – January 10 12 through February 1 3.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-27 ~~15-21~~ and March 28 through April 5 ~~22-30~~.

7. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. ~~Feral hogs may be taken during any period when possession of a gun is otherwise authorized with no size or bag limit restrictions. All legal fish.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 8. No change.

9. Hunters shall check all deer, wild hogs, and turkeys at one of the area check stations before leaving the area.

10. That portion of the area south of County Road 326 and adjacent to the east side of County Road 337 shall be open only for taking doves as established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C. Only shotguns are allowed for taking wildlife on this portion of the area.

11. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons in possession of a camping or special use permit from the Division of Forestry.

12. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(21) San Pedro Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

6. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs, and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Public access to the area is prohibited from one and one-half (1.5 ~~1 1/2~~) hours after sunset to one and one-half (1.5 ~~1 1/2~~) hours before sunrise.

5. through 8. No change.

~~9. Hunters shall check in an out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken.~~

(22) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 13-14 ~~15-16~~ and January 3-4 ~~5-6~~.

2. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 6-7 ~~8-9~~ and ~~December~~ 27-28 ~~29-30~~.

4. Archery – November 8-30 ~~10 through December 2~~.

5. Spring turkey – March 24-26 ~~18-20~~, April 7-9 ~~1-3~~ and 21-23 ~~15-17~~.

6. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, ~~muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons,~~ antlerless deer may be taken by permit only. Turkey may be taken only during the spring turkey season. The bag limit shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per spring turkey quota permit. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. No deer or turkey shall be dismembered or removed from the area until checked at the check station.

5. through 10. No change.

11. Camping equipment may not be taken into the area prior to 14 days before the archery season and shall be removed by 6~~:00~~ p.m. six days after the close of the small game season.

12. through 13. No change.

14. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(23) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 27-30 and October 3-7 ~~29 through October 7~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. General gun – November 8-11 ~~10-18~~ and 14-18.

4. Small game – November 21-23 ~~23-25~~ and December 12-14 ~~14-16~~.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-24 ~~15-18~~ and 27-31 ~~19-23~~.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers (except otter). ~~Antlerless deer may be taken by permit only during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. No size or bag limit on hog.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than on foot, bicycle or horseback is prohibited with the following exceptions ~~exception~~: vehicular access is permitted one day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun hunt from 8 a.m. until to 6 p.m., and one day prior to each spring turkey hunt from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset ~~except prior to small game hunts~~.

2. No change.

3. Taking wildlife with ~~The possession of~~ centerfire or ~~and~~ rimfire rifles is prohibited.

4. through 8. No change.

(24) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 21-24 ~~15-18~~ and 27-31 ~~19-23~~.

2. Archery – October 4-7 and 10-14 ~~6-14~~.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 through November 2 ~~2-4~~.

4. General gun hog-dog – November 14-16 ~~16-18~~.

5. Small game – December 5-7 ~~7-9~~, January 2-4 ~~4-6~~, and January 30 through February 1 ~~1-3~~.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). The bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per spring turkey quota permit. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~ Only wild hog may be taken during the general gun hog-dog season.

(c) Camping: Camping is permitted at designated campsites during hunting seasons and 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, defacing, moving, or tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited.

(d) General regulations:

1. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than on foot, bicycle or horseback is prohibited ~~unless by permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District~~ with the following exceptions ~~exception~~: vehicular access is permitted one day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun hunt from 8~~:00~~ a.m. to 6~~:00~~ p.m., and one day prior to each spring turkey hunt from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset ~~except prior to small game season~~.

2. through 9. No change.

(25) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22, October 3-5 and 17-19.

2.1. Small game – November 8-30 ~~10 through December 2~~ and December 20 22 through January 4 6.

3.2. General gun hog – February 5-8 ~~7-10~~ and 19-22 ~~21-24~~.

4.3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 21-27 ~~15-21~~ and ~~March 29 through~~ April 4-10 4.

5.4. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. Only wild hogs may be taken during the general gun hog season. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~ ~~All legal small game and furbearers may be taken during the small game season.~~ Wild turkeys may only be taken during the special-opportunity spring turkey season. The bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler (or bearded turkey) per special-opportunity permit. ~~Fish and frogs are legal to take throughout the year.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, is prohibited. Taking wild hog ~~Hunting hogs~~ with dogs is prohibited.

2. through 6. No change.

~~7. A special-opportunity hunt permit shall be required for every person entering the area during special-opportunity hunts.~~

7.8. Taking wildlife with ~~The possession of~~ centerfire rifles is prohibited.

(26) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-23 ~~22-25~~, ~~September~~ 24-28 ~~26-30~~ and September 29 through October 5 ~~1-7~~.

2. Family hunt – October 11-12 ~~13-14~~ and 18-19 ~~20-21~~.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

4. General gun – November 8-11 ~~10-13~~ and 12-16 ~~14-18~~.

5. Small game – November 22 24 through December 21 23.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 ~~15-18~~ and 25-29 ~~19-23~~.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game ~~Deer, gray squirrel, rabbit, hog, game birds,~~ and fish. ~~No size or bag limits on hog.~~ Only wild hog may be taken during the family hunt.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

~~6. Horses and bicycles are prohibited during periods open to hunting.~~

(27) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

4. Small game – January 5 7 through February 1 3.

5. Spring turkey – March 21 through April 5 ~~15-30~~.

6. Waterfowl and coot ~~Duck and coot~~ – During the seasons ~~duck and coot season and the early duck season in September~~ established by ~~pursuant to~~ Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

7. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limits on hog.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. Dogs with a shoulder height of more than 17 inches are prohibited, in the dog hunt area, during the general gun season. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs other than bird dogs, during the general gun season, is prohibited in the still hunt area, which are those portions of the area lying west of Crapps Tower Grade and north of L.A. Bennett Grade, that portion of the area lying west of Crapps Tower Grade and south of Deserter’s Hammock Road, and that portion of the area lying south and east of McCall’s Chapel Grade and east of East Mainline.

2. No change.

3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited, except that all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles shall be allowed only by permit from the Suwannee River Water Management District. Horses are permitted only on roads and designated horse trails during daylight hours ~~and only during periods closed to hunting~~.

4. through 5. No change.

6. During the trapping season, taking furbearers with a .22 caliber rimfire firearm is allowed; however, the firearm may only be loaded immediately prior to the shooting of a trapped furbearer. ~~Licensed trappers may possess .22 rimfire rifles or pistols from February 4 through March 1.~~

7. During the general gun season, taking ~~Taking~~ wildlife is prohibited south and east of McCall’s Chapel Grade and east of East Mainline.

(28) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

3. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

4. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

5. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, and furbearers. ~~Wild hogs may be taken during the small game season; no size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking wild hog ~~Hunting hogs~~ by the use of dogs is prohibited.

(29) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 ~~22-24~~, ~~September~~ 27-29 ~~29 through October 1~~ and October 4-6 ~~6-8~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. Small game – November 29 through December 3 ~~1-5~~ and December 20-24 ~~22-26~~.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: Antlered deer, ~~Deer, wild hogs,~~ rabbit, gray squirrel, quail (only during the first hunt of the small game season) and ~~all legal~~ fish. ~~No size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs is prohibited, except that bird dogs may be used for hunting quail during the first hunt of the small game season.

5. through 6. No change.

(30) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 8 10 through January 4 6, except on Sundays, and only in that portion of the area known as the Adams Tract located northeast of U.S. 27, east and south of County Road 251, and southwest of the Suwannee River.

2. Fishing – Throughout ~~Permitted~~ ~~throughout~~ the year.

(b) Legal to take: Wild hog ~~hogs~~, rabbit, gray squirrel, and fish ~~only~~. Taking any other animal is prohibited. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

(31) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7 and November 15-23 ~~17-25~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

3. through 4. No change.

5. Fishing and frogging – Throughout ~~Permitted throughout~~ the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. The bag limit shall be one deer per quota permit~~; wild hogs of any size with no bag limit may be taken during any hunt except spring turkey~~.

(c) Camping: Only tent camping is allowed and only at designated sites. Camping is allowed year-round in Area 1 and during non-hunting periods in Area 3. During periods open to hunting quota permit holders may camp in Area 3. Permitted by hunt permit holders at the designated sites in Area 3 only during periods open to hunting; year-round at designated sites in Area 1 only; and during non-hunting periods at designated campsites in Areas 2 and 3 only.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. During hunting periods, public access in Areas 2, 3 and 4 is restricted to those individuals with valid quota hunt permits.

6. through 10. No change.

11. Only shotguns may be used for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season.

12. No change.

(32) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

3. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

4. Waterfowl ~~Duck~~ and coot – During the seasons ~~duck and coot season~~ established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

5. Trapping – December 1 through January 4 6.

6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~

(33) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. General gun – November 8-30 ~~10 through December 2~~.

4. Small game – January 17 19 through February 15 17.

5. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 12 6.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~

(c) Camping~~: Prohibited during periods when area is open to hunting. During periods closed to hunting, camping~~ is allowed by permit only from the Suwannee River Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Horses are ~~prohibited during periods open to hunting. During periods closed to hunting, horses shall be~~ restricted to designated roads and trails.

6. through 7. No change.

(34) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 8 10 through January 4 6.

2. Small game – January 5 7 through March 1 2.

3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.

4. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 5 7 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22 and 26-28 ~~October 13-14, November 3-4 and 17-18, December 8-9 and 22-23~~.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 10-12 and 24-26 ~~December 29-30 and January 12-13~~.

~~3. Bird dog training – October through January, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, except during scheduled hunting periods.~~

3. Family hunt – November 8-9.

4. General gun – November 14-16 and 21-23.

5. Small game – November 28 through January 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 27-29 and April 3-5.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game except that only wild hog ~~hogs~~ and antlered deer may be taken during the family hunt, and the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons ~~season~~. ~~No size or bag limit on wild hogs.~~

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Taking wildlife ~~Hunting~~ with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed ~~permitted~~ during the small game ~~bird dog~~ ~~training~~ season.

3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered ~~designated~~ roads ~~only~~.

4. No change.

~~5. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken.~~

5.6. No change.

~~7. The possession of firearms other than blank-firing pistols is prohibited during bird dog training season.~~

6. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited.

7. Hunters shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.

(36) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 15-23 ~~17-25~~.

2. Archery – September 20-28 ~~22-30~~.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 11-14 ~~13-16~~.

5. Small game – December 15-28 ~~17-30~~ and January 31 through February 8 ~~2-10~~.

6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – The first three days of the Central Zone season, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the third and fifth weekends of the Central Zone season

8. Fishing and frogging – Throughout ~~Permitted throughout~~ the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hog,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. Antlerless deer (except spotted fawns) may be taken only during the archery and general gun for mobility-impaired seasons. Only one quota permit may be utilized per individual, per season. ~~No size or bag limit on hog.~~

(c) Camping: During quota hunt periods ~~open to hunting~~, hunters in possession of a quota permit shall only camp in the Scotts Landing Road campground. During the small game season and periods closed to hunting, camping in the Scotts Landing Road campground is allowed only by permit from the Florida Division of Forestry. During periods closed to hunting, camping at primitive campsites along the St. Marys River is allowed on a first-come first-served basis.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

5. During periods open to hunting ~~periods~~, other than small game season, public access is restricted to those individuals with valid quota hunt permits. Two (2) hunter assistants may accompany a mobility-impaired quota permit holder provided that the non-permitted individuals shall not occupy a vehicle separate from the permittee nor take wildlife with a gun ~~except during small game season~~. ~~No more than two non-disabled helpers may accompany a mobility-impaired permit holder. Non-disabled helpers may not hunt or possess firearms during the general gun for mobility-impaired season.~~

6. through 8. No change.

9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(37) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 22 through October 5 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26 ~~26-28~~.

3. Small game – January 19 21 through March 1 2.

4. Spring turkey – March 21-29 ~~15-23~~.

5. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, ~~hogs,~~ fish, frogs and furbearers. ~~No size or bag limit on hogs.~~

1. No change.

2. Taking wild hog ~~Hunting hogs~~ with dogs is prohibited.

3. through 6. No change.

(38) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22, 26-28 and October 3-5.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26.

3. Family hunt – November 8-9.

4. General gun – November 14-16 and 21-23.

5. Small game – November 28 through January 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Trapping – Prohibited.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 27-29 and April 3-5.

8. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per permit per season. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per permit.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.

2. Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

3. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except with bird dogs during the small game season.

4. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on named or numbered roads, or designated trails.

5. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.

6. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.

7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(39) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22, 26-28 and October 3-5.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26.

3. Family hunt – November 8-9.

4. General gun – November 14-16 and 21-23.

5. Small game – November 28 through January 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Trapping – Prohibited.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 27-29 and April 3-5.

8. Waterfowl and coot – During seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

9. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per permit per season. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per permit.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.

2. Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

3. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited, except with bird dogs during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers during seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.

4. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on named or numbered roads, or designated trails.

5. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.

6. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances or via the Nassau River or Boggy, Mills or Thomas Creeks.

7. The archery area will be open for taking wildlife only during the archery season and only with a bow.

8. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.

(40) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22, 26-28 and October 3-5.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26.

3. Family hunt – November 8-9.

4. General gun – November 14-16 and 21-23.

5. Trapping – Prohibited.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 27-29 and April 3-5.

7. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per permit per season. Taking antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, each point one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per permit.

(c). Camping is allowed by permit only from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.

2. Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

3. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited.

4. Bicycles shall be restricted to named or numbered roads and designated trails.

5. All hunters shall enter and exit the area only at the designated entrance.

6. All hunters must check in and out at the designated check station and check all game taken.

7. Vehicular access is allowed only on hunt days, the day before each hunt, and the weekend before the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons and the family hunt.

8. Taking wildlife from the right-of-way of Boundary Road is prohibited.

9. During periods open to hunting, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits.

(41) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20 through October 5 and November 8-16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26.

3. Small game – November 28 through January 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Trapping – Prohibited.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-29.

6. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers.

(d) General regulations:

1. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

2. Taking deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. The possession or use of dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed during the small game season and as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

4. Fires are prohibited.

5. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.

6. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances or via the Suwannee River.

7. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited.

(42) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area – Kings Road Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 20-22, 26-28 and October 3-5.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 24-26.

3. Family hunt – November 8-9.

4. General gun – November 14-16 and 21-23.

5. Small game – November 28 through January 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Trapping – Prohibited.

7. Spring turkey – March 21-23, 27-29 and April 3-5.

8. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per person per permit during the archery season, one antlered deer per person during the family hunt and one antlered deer per person per permit per season during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for wild turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per person per permit.

(d) General regulations:

1. All persons shall enter and exit the area only at designated entrances.

2. Taking deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

3. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

4. The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of fifteen inches or less is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

5. Fires are prohibited.

6. During periods open to hunting, other than the small game season, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits.

7. Bicycles shall be restricted to named or numbered roads and designated trails.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07, 7-5-07, 7-1-08.