Notice of Proposed Rule

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
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 on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region.
Yellow River WMA – establish the Burnt Grocery Creek area (the area west of Burnt Grocery Creek, north of Bernice Road and Old Fisher Mill Road) within Yellow River WMA with the following open seasons (no quota permit required): 88-day archery season, 3-day muzzleloading gun season, 9-day small game season, 11-day archery and muzzleloading gun season, four 3-day spring turkey hunts; allow fishing and frogging throughout the year; prohibit trapping; legal to take – all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; allow antlerless deer to be taken only during the first 30 days of the archery season and change the spring turkey season in the Grassy Point area from three 2-day hunts to four 3-day hunts with a quota of 5 per hunt.
Blackwater WMA – allow vehicular access on named or numbered roads only except on that portion of the area south of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191 where vehicles may be operated on established roads only.
Blackwater WMA – Hutton Unit – clarify that only mobility-impaired permit holders and guest permit holders may hunt during mobility-impaired hunts and allow for one non-hunting assistant.
Tate’s Hell WMA – increase the spring turkey quota from 35 to 200.
Econfina Creek WMA – clarify that only mobility-impaired permit holders and guest permit holders may hunt during mobility-impaired hunts and allow for one non-hunting assistant
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 379.2223 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 379.2223 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 4-5, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day
PLACE: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Destin, Florida 32550
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator, at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Diane Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region.

(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 14 15 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B, except hunting is allowed the Friday after Thanksgiving).

2. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Quail (Zone A) – December 22 23 through January 31 February 1 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).

9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

3. No change.

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

5. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

6. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

7. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

8. No change.

9. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – October 1 through March 7 1 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.

10. Trapping – February 4 5 through March 1.

11. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 26-29 27-30 and from December 12-23 13-24. 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.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Bird dogs may be trained from June 1 through March 7 1, except on the quail enhancement area where bird dogs may be trained November 1 through December 31. Deer dogs may be trained from October 31 25 through November 19 13 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.

3. through 11. No change.

(3) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area – Bradwell Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12-16 13-17.

2. Archery – October 17-23 18-24 and October 24 25 through November 1 2.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

4. Small game – November 14-15 8-9 and December 19 20 through January 3 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-21 21-22 and April 2-4 3-5.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) 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 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the still hunt area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 191) – December 5-6 6-7.

3. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

5. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

6. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

7. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

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 26-29 27-30, December 12-27 13-28, and January 11 12 through February 3 4.

2. General gun still – December 28 29 through January 10 11.

3. Family still hunt (only in that portion of the dog hunt area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 191) – December 5-6 6-7.

4. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

6. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

7. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

8. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

9. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – May 1 through March 14 15, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of Belandville Road.

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 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun and archery – January 15-17 16-18.

3. through 4. No change.

5. Quail – February 1-4 2-5 and February 15-18 16-19.

6. No change.

(d) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the muzzleloading gun and archery January 16-18 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. 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 p.m. Central Time is prohibited during the quail season on the field trial area.

(e) No change.

(f) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except on that portion of the area lying south of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191 and those lands north of State Road 4 and east of Forest Road 31 (Hurricane Lake Road cutoff and Beaver Creek Road) where vehicles may be operated only on established roads.

3. through 9. No change.

(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Hutton Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-20 18-21 and 21-25 22-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. Quail – November 14-15 8-9, 25-26 19-20, December 5-6 29-30, 14-15 December 8-9, 19-20 13-14, 28-29 22-23 and January 2-3 27-28.

4. General gun – January 16-19 17-20 and 20-24 21-25.

5. Mobility-impaired general gun – January 29-31 30 through February 1 and February 5-7 6-8.

6. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and April 16-18 17-19.

7. Hog management hunts – July 17-19 18-20, August 21-23 22-24 and September 18-20, 2009 19-21, 2008, and May 21-23 22-24 and June 18-20, 2010 19-21, 2009.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) No change.

1. through 7. No change.

8. On mobility-impaired hunts, only one non-hunting assistant and a guest permit holder are allowed to accompany each mobility-impaired quota permit holder as provided in Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. During the mobility-impaired general gun hunts, access will be restricted to certified mobility-impaired hunters with quota hunt permits and one additional person per permit holder who may also participate in the hunt. Only one quota permit may be utilized per individual per hunt.

9. through 10. No change.

(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Carr Unit.

(a) Open season: Quail: November 14-20 8-14, 21-27 15-21, November 28 through December 4 22-28, December 5-11, November 29 through December 5, December 12-18 6-12, 19-25 13-19, December 26 through January 1 20-26, January 2-8 December 27 through January 2, 9-15 January 3-9, 16-22 10-16, 23-29 17-23, January 30 through February 5 24-30, February 6-12 January 31 through February 6, 13-19 February 7-13, 20-26 14-20, and February 27 through March 5 21-27.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – December 11 12 through January 10 11 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 15-31 16 through February 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – October 3 4 through December 6 7 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

3. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

4. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

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 26-29 27-30 and from December 12-23 13-24. 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) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

3. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

4. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 27-29 28-30 and December 12 13 through January 3 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 8 9 through March 7 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 27-29 28-30 and December 12 13 through January 3 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 8 9 through March 7 1 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(12) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

3. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

4. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

5. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

6. through 8. No change.

9. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 31 25 through November 19 13.

2. through 7. No change.

(13) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area – Womack Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-25 18-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12, December 21-23 22-23 and January 6 through February 3 4.

4. General gun still – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12-20 13-21.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 1-4 2-5 and 8-11 9-12.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 14 8 through January 10 4.

2. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.

3. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

4. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.

6. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – January 11 5 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.

2. General gun – November 14 8 through January 24 18.

3. Small game – January 25 19 through March 7 1.

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

5. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.

6. – 8. No change.

9. Trapping – January 25 19 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30, January 23-26 24-27 and 27-31 January 28 through February 1.

4. Small game – December 5-31 6-31.

5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 4 5.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30, December 12 13 through February 17 18 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

5. Small game – November 14 8 through March 7 1 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During small game season November 10 through March 2, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed permitted.

7. through 10. No change.

(18) Escambia River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

2. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

5. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Allowed Permitted throughout the area (except where posted as no camping) and limited to tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited.

(19) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.(d) No change.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 17 18 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Supervised youth – November 21-22 22-23, December 5-6 6-7 and 19-20 20-21 (only in areas designated by the Installation Commander).

5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

6. Small game – November 14 8 through March 7 1 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4 except Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island.

4. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1. Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island November 26-29 27-30, December 12 13 through February 3 4 and February 18-28 19 through March 1.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 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 20-22 21-23 and April 2-4 3-5 in that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way.

7. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – December 1 through March 1 in still hunt areas and February 4 January 31 through March 1 in dog hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) Upper Chipola River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through January 1.

4. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and January 2 through March 7 1.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 20-21 21-22 and 27-28 February 28 through March 1.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Yellow River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons except in the Grassy Point and Burnt Grocery Creek areas:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

4. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 1-12 and Febraury 4 5 through March 7 1.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of Weaver River):

1. General gun – November 26-29 27-30, January 23-26 24-27 and January 27-31 28 through February 1.

2. Archery – October 17-23 18-24 and October 24 25 through November 1 2.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-22, April 2-4 4-5, 9-11 and 23-25 18-19.

5. Small game – November 14-22 8-16.

6. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the Burnt Grocery Creek area (the area west of Burnt Grocery Creek and north of Bernice Road and Old Fisher Mill Road):

1. Archery – October 17 through November 15, November 26-29, and December 12 through February 3.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22.

3. Small game – November 14-22.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28

5. Spring turkey – March 20-22, April 2-4, 9-11 and 23-25.

6. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

7. Trapping – Prohibited.

(d)(c) Legal to Take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Antlerless deer may only be taken during the first 30 days of archery season in the Burnt Grocery Creek area.

(e)(d) Camping: Prohibited south of Weaver Road, except at designated campsites or by permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District. Permitted throughout the area north of Weaver Road and limited to tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited.

(f)(e) General regulations:

1. through 4. No change.

(23) Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek, and Fitzhugh Carter areas.

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30 and December 12 13 through February 3 4.

4. Small game – November 14-25 8-26, November 30 through December 11 December 1-12 and February 4 5 through March 7 1.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.

7. Raccoon – November 14 8 through March 19 20 and April 26 27 through July 31.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the mobility-impaired hunt area (area south of County Road 388):

1. General gun – November 27-29 28-30, January 15-17 16-18, 22-24 23-25, January 29-31 30 through February 1 and February 3-5 4-6.

2. Spring turkey – March 20-21 21-22, 26-28 27-29, April 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19 and 23-25 24-26.

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 17-23 18-24 and October 24 25 through November 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. General gun – November 26-29 27-30, January 23-26 24-27 and January 27-31 28 through February 1.

4. Small game – December 5-20 6-21.

5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.

6. No change.

7. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year (except as provided below).

(d) No change.

(e) Camping: Allowed Permitted only at designated sites or by permit from Northwest Florida Water Management District.

(f) General regulations:

1. During periods open to hunting, vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads except in the mobility-impaired hunt area. During period open to hunting in the mobility-impaired hunt area, vehicles may be operated only by persons possessing a mobility-impaird quota permit or their guest. During periods closed to hunting, vehicular access is prohibited on Dog roads 1-8, 10, 13-17, 19, 20-28 and 33-37, Hobbs Pasture Road, Enfinger Road, Cedar Creek Loop and in the mobility-impaired area.

2. through 4. No change.

5. On mobility-impaired hunts, only one non-hunting assistant and a guest permit holder are allowed to accompany each mobility-impaired quota permit holder as provided in Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. Persons hunting in the mobility-impaired area must possess a valid mobility-impaired certificate and mobility-impaired hunt permit, or accompany a person possessing a valid mobility-impaired certificate and mobility-impaired hunt permit. One additional person per permit holder may participate in the hunt. Only one mobility-impaired quota hunt permit may be utilized per individual per hunt.

6. through 10. No change.

(24) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-23 18-24 and October 24 25 through November 1 2.

2. Small game – November 14-19 8-20.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

4. General gun – November 26-29 27-30, January 7-10 8-11, 14-17 15-18 and 21-24 22-25.

5. Hog – December 5-11 6-12.

6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24, April 1-4 2-5 and 15-18 16-19.

7. No change.

8. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17-23 18-24 and October 24 25 through November 1 2.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. Family hunt – November 26-29 27-30.

4. General gun – January 23-26 24-27 and January 27-31 28 through February 1.

5. Small game – December 4 5 through January 17 18 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 27-29 28-30, December 12-13 13-14, 25-27 26-28, January 8-10 9-11 and 22-24 23-25.

3. Small game – January 25 26 through February 21 22.

4. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b)through  (d) No change.

(27) Perdido River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 17 18 through November 15 16.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 20-22 21-23.

3. Family hunt – November 26-29 27-30 and January 8-10 9-11.

4. General gun – January 16-22 17-23 and January 23-31 24 through February 1.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 18-28 19 through March 1.

6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 20-28 21-29 and March 29 30 through April 11 12.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.W.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 3, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 5, 2008