68A-15.063: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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 Northwest Region as follows:
Apalachee WMA – allow vehicular access only during periods open to hunting except vehicular access would be allowed year-round on Rock Pond Road and during daylight hours one week prior to the archery season and one day prior to the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; increase the number of days that quail hunting is allowed from 12 to 24 days; 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; allow general gun season to be open the Friday after Thanksgiving; and remove daily quota requirement to hunt quail in Zone A.
Apalachicola WMA – establish a quail enhancement area in that portion of the area lying north of Oak Ridge Road, east of State Road 61 and Highway 319, south of State Road 263, and west of State Road 363; allow bird dog training in the enhancement area November 1 through December 31; allow quail hunting in the enhancement area by quota permit only; allow quotas to be established annually by Order of the Executive Director or designee; allow quail hunts on Saturdays only (with a maximum of six Saturdays being hunted); allow up to two quota hunt permits to be issued per day and allow up to two hunters per permit; allow for a bag limit of 12 quail per permit; allow the number of days open for quail hunting to be adjusted each year as needed to achieve a harvest of up to 15% of the fall population, based on an October quail survey; and prohibit shining deer from 12 midnight until one-half hour before sunrise during the general gun season.
Apalachicola WMA – Bradwell Unit – allow antlerless deer to be taken during the archery season; allow wild hogs to be taken during the small game season; and extend the small game season from 9 to 18 days.
Aucilla WMA – allow antlerless deer to be taken during the archery season; allow tent camping along the Aucilla River on property owned by the Suwannee River Water Management District by permit from the District; allow still hunting only on that portion of the eastern dog hunt area north of Goose Pasture Road and east of Oneal Tram; and allow vehicular access to the area at designated entrances only.
Blackwater WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during spring turkey season; establish a family hunt (quota of 50; still hunting only, no exemptions) in that portion of the area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 191; and allow the take of up to 3 deer (antlered or antlerless) per quota permit during the family hunt; require hunters to check in and out at a check station during the family hunt; and allow the use of retrievers (dogs) on the Field Trial Area during the dove season.
Blackwater WMA – Hutton Unit – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; establish five 3-day hog-dog hunts (quota of 5 per hunt, no exemptions); allow only wild hog to be taken during the hog-dog hunts; allow the use of no more than 3 dogs per quota permit during the hog-dog hunts; allow up to 2 hunters per quota permit and only one gun per permit during the hog-dog hunts; allow wild hog to be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a bayed hog (hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited); no longer require hunters to check in and out at a check station during the spring turkey season; allow limited field trials by permit; and change the quail quota from two groups of three hunters by quail quota application to 8 individual permits at the check station, no exemptions.
Blue Water Creek WMA – allow the take of frogs.
Box-R WMA – allow dove hunting on the opening day of the first phase of mourning dove and white-winged dove season.
Choctawhatchee River WMA – add a new 3-day spring turkey quota hunt (quota of 10; no exemptions).
Econfina Creek WMA – allow vehicular access on certain roads during open seasons and prohibit vehicular access on certain roads during periods closed to hunting.
Eglin WMA – extend the length of time that general gun hunts may occur by 10 days.
Escambia River WMA – allow still hunting only north of State Road 184 in Santa Rosa County and north of Cedartown Road and Daffin Road in Escambia County.
Joe Budd WMA – allow public access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset.
Lafayette Creek WMA – prohibit vehicular access during periods closed to hunting except vehicular access would be allowed one day prior to and after each season; and move duplications of the rules for Family Hunts from area specific regulations to Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.
Ochlockonee River WMA – allow public access throughout the year from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset; and prohibit ATVs.
Perdido River WMA – prohibit launching or loading of boats with a motor greater than 10 hp at Fillingam and Pipes boat ramps; allow public access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset, except access would be allowed throughout the year on Sand Landing Road, at designated campsites or by permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District; prohibit vehicular access on Muscogee Regen Road and Red Gate Road from May through September; and move duplications of the rules for Family Hunts from area specific regulations to Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.
Pine Log WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; 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; no longer require hunters to check in and out at a check station during the spring turkey season; and allow limited field trials by permit.
Point Washington WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; allow vehicular access on named or numbered roads only; require a quota permit for the last 17 days of the general gun season; and reduce the general gun quota from 300 to 150 (each hunt).
Talquin WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; allow public access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset; prohibit ATVs; and allow vehicular access only on named or numbered roads.
Tate’s Hell WMA – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; change the definition of legal to take for antlered deer to those having two or more points on at least one antler, each point one inch or more in length; prohibit shining deer from 12 midnight until one-half hour before sunrise during the general gun season; and reduce the number of quota permits from 1,000 for the first 13 days to 750 for the first 13 days.
Tate’s Hell WMA – Womack Creek Unit – prohibit the use of centerfire rifles during the spring turkey season; change the definition of legal to take for antlered deer to those having two or more points on at least one antler, each point one inch or more in length; and allow the possession (not use) of ATVs.
Wakulla WMA – 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 allow access from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset.
Yellow River WMA – prohibit vehicular access from May through September on Holt Enhancement Road, North Holt Cross Road and South Holt Cross Road; and no longer require a quota permit for the first 13 days of general gun season or the first 9 days of 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 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-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region.
(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 15 10 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B, except hunting is allowed the Friday after Thanksgiving).
2. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
3. No change.
4. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
5. No change.
6. Duck, geese and coot – On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays of the duck and coot season established in Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
7. No change.
8. Quail (Zone A) – December 23 18 through February 1 January 6 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).
9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited in Zone A. Antlerless deer may be taken during the general gun season by permit only. Quail may be taken in Zone A only during the archery, and muzzleloading gun, and during the quail seasons by permit only. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs and retrievers are permitted during the general gun, muzzleloading gun, early duck, duck, geese and coot;, dove, and quail seasons.
2. No change.
3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. During periods closed for hunting, vehicular access is prohibited except on Rock Pond Road and during daylight hours only one week prior to the archery season and one day prior to the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons.
4. Taking wildlife with The possession or use of rifles is prohibited, except during the muzzleloading gun season.
5. through 8. No change.
(2)
(a) Open seasons:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
3. Quail (quail enhancement area) – Up to six Saturdays of quail hunting may be allowed in January and February, combined.
4.3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
5.4. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
6.5. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
7.6. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
8.7. No change.
9.8. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – October 1 through March 1 2 in that portion of the area in Liberty County lying west of State Road 65 (except in that portion of the area lying north and east of the Florida River and Larkins Slough) and in that portion in Leon County and Wakulla County south of State Road 267 bounded on the east by Forest Roads 313, F.H. 13 and 356, on the south by Forest Roads 349 and 357, on the west by Forest Roads 348 and F.H. 13, 309, 314, and 344. No guns may be used prior to November 22.
10.9. Trapping – February 5 January 31 through March 1.
11.10. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 27-30 22-25 and from December 13-24 8-19. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of Oak Ridge Road, east of State Road 61 and Highway 319, south of State Road 263, and west of State Road 363) except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is 12 per quota permit. Hog may be taken only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, archery and muzzleloading and small game seasons. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Bird dogs may be trained from June 1 through March 1 2, except on the quail enhancement area where bird dogs may be trained November 1 through December 31. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 27 through November 13 15 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.
3. No change.
4. During the general gun and small game seasons November 10 through March 2 period, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed permitted.
5. through 8. No change.
9. Persons may possess and use guns year-round on the shooting range. Guns being transported to and from the shooting range shall be unloaded and cased.
10. A quota permit, as established annually by Order of the Executive Director or designee, shall be required for each group entering the quail enhancement area to take quail. Up to two quota permits may be issued per day and up to two hunters will be allowed per permit. The number of Saturdays open for quail hunting will be adjusted each year as necessary to achieve a harvest of up to 15% of the fall population, based on an October quail survey.
11. During general gun season, the use of a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife from 12 a.m. (midnight) until one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited, except hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed.
(3)
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13-17 8-12.
2. Archery – October 18-24 13-19 and October 25 through November 2 20-28.
3. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
4. Small game – November 8-9 and December 20 through January 4 10-15 and 19-21.
5. Spring turkey – March 21-22 15-16 and April 3-5 March 28-30.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs, and furbearers. Antlerless deer may be taken by permit only. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Hog may be taken only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(4) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open seasons in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of Highway 4 except for the field trial area and that portion of the area north of State Road 4 except for the dog hunt area):
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the still hunt area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 191) – December 6-7.
3.2. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
4.3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
5.4. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
6.5. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
7.6. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
7. through 9. renumbered 8. through 10. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area north of State Road 4 and west of Three Notch Road, east of Mason West Road, and north of Camp Henderson Road; and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, west of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road, and east of Belandville Road; and that portion of the area north of Break Fork Fire Line, north of Eadie Cotton Road and Peaden Bridge Road, west of Sherman Kennedy Road, south of Mattie Kennedy Road and Kennedy Bridge Road, west of Bullard Church Road, and east of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road):
1. General gun dog – November 27-30 22-25, December 13-28 8-23, and January 12 7 through February 4 January 30.
2. General gun still – December 29 24 through January 11 6.
3. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the dog hunt area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 191) – December 6-7.
4.3. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 30 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
5.4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
6.5. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
7.6. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
8.7. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
9.8. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – May 1 through March 15 9, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of
9. through 11. renumbered 10. through 12. No change.
(c) Open seasons in the field trial area (which includes that portion of the area bounded by Coldwater Creek on the northwest, the western boundary of Blackwater State Forest to the west and south, State Road 191 on the southeast, and on a line running west 3/4 mile from the intersection of State Road 191 and Forest Road 64 (Spanish Trail), then north one mile and then three miles west to Coldwater Creek at a point 1/2 mile northeast of the Coldwater Recreation Area:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun and archery – January 16-18 18-20.
3. through 4. No change.
5. Quail – February 2-5 4-7 and February 16-19 18-21.
6. No change.
(d) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the January 16-18 18-20 archery/muzzleloading gun season on the field trial portion of the area any deer (daily bag limit one) except spotted fawns may be taken. During the family still hunt, any deer (bag limit of three per quota permit) may be taken except spotted fawns. No size or bag limit on hog. Taking quail is prohibited on the field trial area except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the field trial area is 12 per hunting group each day. A group for the purpose of quail hunting on the field trial area shall include up to 2 persons. Taking quail after 3:00 p.m. Central Time is prohibited during the quail season on the field trial area.
(e) No change.
(f) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt area, field trial area and during general gun still and family still hunt in the dog hunt area; however, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used to take small game during small game seasons in both the still hunt and dog hunt areas. Dogs are prohibited in the field trial area, except as specifically authorized by permit, or during the bird dog training, dove or quail hunting seasons.
4. through 7. No change.
8. During the family still hunt, all hunters must check in at the designated check station prior to hunting and check all game taken.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Hutton Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18-21 13-16 and 22-26 17-21.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. Quail – November 8-9 10-11, 19-20 21-22, 29-30 December 1-2, December 8-9 10-11, 13-14 15-16, 22-23 24-25 and December 27-28 29-30.
4. General gun – January 17-20 12-15 and 21-25 16-20.
5. Mobility-impaired general gun – January 30 through February 1 25-27 and February 6-8 1-3.
6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 March 28-30 and April 17-19 11-13.
7. Hog management hunts – July 18-20, August 22-24 and September 19-21, 2008; and May 22-24 and June 19-21, 2009.
7. through 8. renumbered 8. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers except that only quail may be taken during the quail season. Taking quail is prohibited except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail is 12 per hunting group each day. A group for the purpose of quail hunting shall include up to three persons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota hunt permit, except during the mobility-impaired hunts. Two deer (except spotted fawns) may be taken per mobility-impaired quota hunt permit. During the general gun for mobility-impaired season, only mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer. During spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota hunt permit. During the hog management hunts, only wild hog may be taken. No size or bag limit on wild hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken during the archery, muzzleloading gun, quail, general gun and mobility-impaired general gun seasons.
3. Taking wildlife with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited, except during the hog management hunts or as specifically authorized by permit. During the hog management hunts, no more than 3 dogs per quota permit may be used.
4. through 5. No change.
6. Taking wildlife with The possession or use of firearms other than shotguns is prohibited during the quail season.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
8.7. No change.
9. During the hog management hunts, a quota permit shall be required for each group of two hunters and only one gun may be possessed per quota permit.
10. During the hog management hunts, wild hog may be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with a firearm provided that no such firearm shall be loaded at any time except immediately prior to the shooting of a bayed hog. The hunting of wild hog under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Carr Unit.
(a) Open season: Quail: November 8-14 10-16, 15-21 17-23, November 22-28 24-30, November 29 through December 5 1-7, December 6-12 8-14, 13-19 15-21, 20-26 22-28, December 27 29 through January 2 4, January 3-9 5-11, 10-16 12-18, 17-23 19-25, 24-30 January 26 through February 1, January 31 through February 6 2-8, February 7-13 9-15, 14-20 16-22 and 21-27 23-29.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 6. No change.
7. Taking wildlife with The possession or use of firearms other than shotguns is prohibited.
8. No change.
(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – December 12 7 through January 11 6 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 16 through February 1 11-27 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Small game – October 4 6 through December 7 2 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Fishing and other recreational use – Permitted during daylight hours when hunting is not allowed.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, turkey of either sex, fish, frogs and furbearers. During small game season, dove (Saturdays only, during phases established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.), quail and squirrel may be taken. Antlerless deer may be taken during the archery and muzzleloading gun season by permit only. Antlerless deer is any deer, except a spotted fawn, that is without antlers or whose antlers are less than one inch in length visible above the hairline. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. Only bows or muzzleloading guns are allowed for taking turkey may be used during spring turkey seasons.
6. Shotguns are prohibited for taking wildlife during the archery season, and centerfire shotguns are prohibited for taking wildlife during the archery and muzzleloading gun season.
7. through 9. No change.
10. Guns are prohibited when the area is closed to hunting, except at the designated campsite.
10.11. No change.
11. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.
(8) Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, December 1-12 November 26 through December 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
4. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
5. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 27-30 22-25 and from December 13-24 8-19. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.
(c) through (d) No change.
(9) Blue Water Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Small game – February 21 16 through March 1 2 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 5-18 January 31 through February 13.
6. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
7. No Change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(10) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
3. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
4. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
5. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on wild hog. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered established roads.
2. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(11) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 28-30 23-25 and December 13 through January 4 8-30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Small game – January 9 4 through March 1 2 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. No change.
6. Fishing and other recreational uses – Throughout the year Permitted during daylight hours only.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish and furbearers. No size or bag limit on wild hog. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.
2. through 3. No change.
4. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.
5. All-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
6. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(12)
(a) Open season:
1. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 28-30 23-25 and December 13 through January 4 8-30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Small game – January 9 4 through March 1 2 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
3. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Fishing and other recreational uses – Throughout the year Permitted during daylight hours when hunting is not allowed.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game including gobblers or bearded turkeys, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on wild hog. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Only mModern shotguns, muzzleloading guns and bows are allowed for taking turkey permitted during the spring turkey season.
4. No change.
5. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.
6. All-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
(13) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
3. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
4. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
5. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 19 14-24 through March 1.
6. No change.
7. Duck, geese and coot – As established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8. No change.
9. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
10. through 11. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one forked antler and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. The forked antler shall have at least two points one inch or greater in length. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 25 27 through November 13 15.
2. through 5. No change.
6. During general gun season, the use of a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of wildlife from 12 a.m. (midnight) until one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited, except hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(14) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area – Womack Creek Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18-26 13-21.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7, December 22-23 17-22 and January 6 5-30 through February 4.
4. General gun still – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13-21 8-16.
5. through 6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-5 March 27-30 and 9-12 April 3-6.
8. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one forked antler and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. The forked antler shall have at least two points one inch or greater in length. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. No size or bag limit on wild hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. The use possession of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, or tracked vehicles is prohibited.
4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(15) Aucilla 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 24-26 26-28.
6. No change.
7. Duck, geese and coot – During the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8. No change.
9. 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. Antlerless deer may not be taken during the archery season.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except primitive camping (tents only) is allowed at designated sites along the Florida Trail and primitive camping is allowed by permit from the Suwannee River Water Management District on District managed lands.
(d) General regulations:
1. Taking wild hog by the use of dogs is prohibited, except during general gun season in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area east of State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98, west of Powell Hammock Road and south of Goose Pasture Road and that portion of the area north of Goose Pasture Road and west of Oneal Tram the Aucilla River).
2. Taking wildlife with dogs other than bird dogs or waterfowl retrievers is prohibited in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of U.S. 98 and that portion of the area north of the ).
3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and shall enter and exit at designated entrances.
4. through 7. No change.
8. Shotguns are permitted on the area during the early duck season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8.9. No change.
9.10. On that portion of the area south of U.S. 98, hunting shall be restricted to small game and wild hog, except deer may be taken by bow during archery and general gun seasons.
(16)
(a) Open season:
1. Muzzleloading gun – October 25 27 through November 2 4.
2. General gun – November 8 10 through January 18 20.
3. Small game – January 19 21 through March 1 2.
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
5. Archery – September 20 22 through October 19 21.
6. No Change.
7. Duck, geese and coot – During the duck and coot season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8. No change.
9. Trapping – January 19 21 through March 1.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2. No size or bag limit on wild hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(17) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13-28 through November 2.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25, January 24-27 19-22 and January 28 23-27 through February 1.
4. Small game – December 6-31 1-31.
5. Spring turkey – March 21 15-30 through April 5.
6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs, and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. No size or bag limit on wild hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited, except as specifically authorized by permit.
3. through 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 during the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons.
6. Taking wildlife with fFirearms and crossbows is are prohibited in the archery-only area, delineated as that portion of the area lying north of Pine Log Creek, south of Environmental Road, and west of State Road 79.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(18) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25, December 13 8 through February 18 3 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 4-24 through March 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
5. Small game – November 8 10 through March 1 2 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.
8. through 10. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish (except as provided below), frogs and furbearers. The taking of any deer not having at least one antler with three or more points (each point one inch in length or more) is prohibited in areas specified by the Installation Commander. Antlerless deer may be taken during established seasons by permit from the Installation Commander. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season.
1. through 2. No change.
(c) through (d) No change.
(19)
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
2. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
3. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 14-24 through March 1.
5. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited on Parker and Morgan Islands (except in accordance with paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., when hunting raccoon) and in that portion of the area north of State Road 184, Mineral Springs Road in Santa Rosa County, and north of Cedartown Road and Daffin Road Bogia Road in Escambia County.
3. through 5. No change.
(20) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 18 13 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
4. Supervised youth – November 22-23 17-18, December 6-7 1-2 and 20-21 15-16 (only in areas designated by the Installation Commander).
5. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
6. Small game – November 8 10 through March 1 2 during days specified by the Installation Commander.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. The taking of any deer not having at least one antler with three or more points (each point one-inch in length or more) is prohibited in areas specified by the Installation Commander. Antler restrictions shall not apply during the supervised youth hunt. Antlerless deer may be taken during established seasons by permit from the Installation Commander. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(21)
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30 except Holmes Creek Unit and
4. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, December 1-12 November 26 through December 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 14-24 through March 1. Holmes Creek Unit and 22-25, December 13 8 through February 4 January 30 and February 19 14-24 through March 1.
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 only in that portion of the area south of the pipeline right-of-way located up river (north) of Cedar Log Landing (Walton County) and Billy Lee Landing (Washington County). March 21-23 15-17 and April 3-5 in that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. In that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way, turkey may be taken only during the spring turkey season and the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(22)
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through January 1.
4. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and January 2 through March 1 2.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 21-22 16-17 and February 28 through March 1 23-24.
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking or attempting to take deer or wild hog with the aid of dogs is prohibited.
3. No change.
(23)
(a) Open seasons except in the Grassy Point area:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
4. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, December 1-12 November 26 through December 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 14-24 through March 1.
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
7. through 9. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of
1. General gun – November 27-30 22-25, January 24-27 19-22 and January 28 through February 1 23-27.
2. Archery – October 18-24 13-19 and October 25 through November 2 20-28.
3. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
4. Spring turkey – March 21-22 15-16, April 4-5 March 29-30 and 18-19 April 12-13.
5. Small game – November 8-16 10-15 and 19-21.
6. No change.
(c) Legal to Take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hog.
(d) No change.
(e) General regulations:
1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads except vehicular access is prohibited from May through September on
2. through 4. No change.
(24) Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek, and Fitzhugh Carter areas.
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25 and December 13 8 through February 4 January 30.
4. Small game – November 8-26 10-21, November 26 through December 1-12 7 and February 5 January 31 through March 1 2.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 14-24 through March 1.
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20.
7. Raccoon – November 8 10 through March 20 14 and April 27 21 through July 31.
8. Duck, geese and coot – During duck and coot season as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
9. No change.
(b) Open seasons in the mobility-impaired hunt area (area south of County Road 388):
1. General gun – November 28-30 23-25, January 16-18 11-13, 23-25 18-20, January 30 through February 1 25-27 and February 4-6 January 30 through February 1.
2. Spring turkey – March 21-22 15-16, 27-29 21-23, April 3-5 March 28-30, 10-12 April 4-6, 17-19 11-13 and 24-26 18-20.
3. No change.
(c) Open seasons in the Cat Creek (area south of State Road 20 and north of County Road 388) and Fitzhugh Carter (area west of State Road 77) areas:
1. Archery – October 18-24 and October 25 through November 2 13-28.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. General gun – November 27-30 22-25, January 24-27 19-22 and January 28 through February 1 23-27.
4. Small game – December 6-21 1-16.
5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 15-17, April 3-5 March 28-30 and 17-19 April 11-13.
6. through 7. No change.
(d) Legal to Take: All legal game, hog, fish (except as provided below), frogs and furbearers. In the mobility-impaired hunt area, antlerless deer (bag limit of two per three-day hunt) may be taken during general gun hunts only by persons possessing valid mobility-impaired certificates. No size or bag limit on hog.
(e) No change.
(f) General regulations:
1. During periods open to hunting, vVehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads except in the mobility-impaired hunt area. During periods open to hunting in the mobility-impaired hunt area, vehicles may be operated only by persons possessing a mobility-impaired quota permit or their guest mobility-impaired certificates. During periods closed to hunting, vehicular access is prohibited on Dog roads 1-8, 10, 13-17, 19, 20-28 and 33-37,
2. through 10. No change.
(25) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18-24 13-19 and October 25 through November 2 20-28.
2. Small game – November 8-20 10-15.
3. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
4. General gun – November 27-30 22-25, January 8-11 3-6, 15-18 10-13 and 22-25 17-20.
5. Hog – December 6-12 1-7.
6. Spring turkey – March 21-24 15-18, April 2-5 March 27-30 and 16-19 April 10-13.
7. Dove – Opening day during the first phase and during the remainder of the mourning dove and white-winged dove season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C., that coincides with the archery, small game, muzzleloading gun, general gun, general gun hog and spring turkey seasons.
8.7. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per quota permit. Antlerless deer may be taken by permit only. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. During spring turkey season, the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Hog may be taken only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, hog, and general gun seasons. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) through (d) No change.
(26) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18-24 13-19 and October 25 through November 2 20-28.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. Family hunt – November 27-30 22-25.
4. General gun – January 24-27 19-22 and January 28 through February 1 23-27.
5. Small game – December 5 through January 18 November 30 through January 13 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. During periods open to hunting, vVehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, vehicular access is prohibited except vehicles may be used one day immediately prior to and after each season.
2. through 5. No change.
6. During the family hunts, one or two persons per hunt permit under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age may hunt as provided in Section 790.22, F.S. These persons must be under the supervision and in the presence of one adult not younger than 18 years of age. The adult may only hunt when in the presence of at least one person under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age.
(27) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 28-30 23-25, December 13-14 8-9, 26-28 21-23, January 9-11 4-6 and 23-25 18-20.
3. Small game – January 26 21 through February 22 17.
4. Spring turkey – March 21 15 through April 26 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. No size or bag limit on hog.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Only modern shotguns, muzzleloading guns and bows are allowed for taking turkeys during the spring turkey season.
5. No change.
6. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.
(28)
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 18 13 through November 16 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 21-23 16-18.
3. Family hunt – November 27-30 22-25 and January 9-11 4-6.
4. General gun – January 17-23 12-18 and January 24 through February 1 19-27.
5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 19 through March 1 14-24.
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 21-29 15-23 and March 30 24 through April 12 6.
8. through 10. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hogs.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except vehicles may not be operated on
2. through 5. No change.
6. The launching or loading of any vessel with an internal combustion engine larger than 10 horsepower is prohibited at the Fillingam and Pipes boat ramps. During the family hunts, one or two persons per hunt permit under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age may hunt as provided in Section 790.22, F.S. These persons must be under the supervision and in the presence of one adult not younger than 18 years of age. The adult may only hunt when in the presence of at least one person under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age.
7. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except access is allowed throughout the year on
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9,