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:
Belmore WMA – expand waterfowl season to match statewide dates and allow waterfowl retrievers during that time; and clarify that the bag limit for deer and turkey is one per quota permit.
Big Bend WMA, Hickory Mound Unit – remove size and bag limits for wild hog and allow them to be hunted during the small game season.
Big Bend WMA, Jena Unit – remove size and bag limits for wild hog and allow them to be hunted during the small game season.
Big Bend WMA, Snipe Island Unit – remove requirement to check in and out and to check all game taken, except during the muzzleloading gun season and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons; allow entrance and exit only at designated entrances during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons; allow wild hog to be hunted during the small game season; and clarify that the bag limit for deer is one per quota permit per day and the bag limit for turkey is one per quota permit.
Big Bend WMA, Spring Creek Unit – remove size and bag limits for wild hog and allow them to be hunted during the small game season.
Big Bend WMA, Tide Swamp Unit – remove size and bag limits for wild hog and allow them to be hunted during the small game season; and remove the quota requirement for the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons.
Camp Blanding WMA – allow turkey to be hunted on the still hunt area during the last two days of each of the two general gun still quota periods and the first two days of the non-quota period of the general gun still season; allow turkey to be hunted on the dog hunt area during the last three days of each general gun dog hunt; and remove the quota requirement for the archery hunts.
Cary WMA – add approximately 4,000 acres to the existing area; increase the number of archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun quota permits from 60 to 100; increase the number of family hunt quota permits from 40 to 65; increase the number of spring turkey quota permits from 10 to 20; reduce the bag limit for deer during archery season from two deer per day (any combination of antlered and antlerless) to one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit; reduce bag limit for deer during family hunt from two deer per day (any combination of antlered and antlerless) to one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit; reduce bag limit for deer during muzzleloading gun and general gun season from two antlered deer per day to one antlered deer per quota permit; reduce bag limit for spring turkey season from one bearded turkey or gobbler per day to one bearded turkey or gobbler per quota permit; expand the waterfowl season to match the statewide dates and allow waterfowl retrievers during that time; and allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of an access permit from the Division of Forestry.
Citrus WMA – prohibit camping except as authorized by the Division of Forestry; and remove quota permit requirement for the second archery hunt.
Cypress Creek WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Devil’s Hammock WMA – allow nighttime hunting of raccoons, with dogs, during the small game season by persons in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District; and add a 4-week hog-still season (no quota) during which time only wild hogs will be legal to take.
Flying Eagle WMA – allow hunting equipment to be taken onto the area beginning at 8 a.m. the day before each hunt and require it to be removed on the last day of each hunt; and during spring turkey season allow hunting equipment beginning 1.5 hours before sunrise the day preceding each hunt.
Four Creeks WMA – clarify that the bag limit for deer and turkey is one per quota permit.
Goethe WMA – require motor vehicles to enter the area only at designated entrances but allow people on foot to enter at any location.
Grove Park WMA – add a 56-day small game season.
Hatchet Creek WMA – clarify that the bag limit for deer and turkey is one per quota permit.
Holton Creek WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Jennings Forest WMA – establish a quail enhancement area north of the North Fork Black Creek, east of County Road 217 and west of Yellow Water Creek (approximately 5,471 acres) and allow up to eight days of quail hunting, with no more than four quota permits per day (no exemptions, up to two hunters per quota permit) in January and February with a bag limit of six per quota permit; establish a waterfowl season that coincides with the statewide dates; allow waterfowl retrievers during the waterfowl season; increase the number of general gun hunts from two 5-day hunts and one 6-day hunt to four 4-day hunts (quota 60) and increase the number of spring turkey hunts from a 4-day and 5-day hunt to three 3-day hunts (quota 30).
Little River WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Mallory Swamp WMA – eliminate requirement to check game; replace the first-come first-served permits issued at the check station for the muzzleloading gun and general gun still and dog seasons with quota permits issued through the Total Licensing System (total number of permits will remain the same); allow nighttime raccoon hunting during the small game season by persons in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District; lengthen the small game season by 14 days; add a 3-day hog-dog season during which only wild hog will be legal to take; and allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless is possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Middle Aucilla WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Potts WMA – allow the use of horses only during periods closed to hunting; allow hunting and camping equipment to be taken onto the area beginning 8:00 a.m. the day before each hunt and require it be removed on the last day of each hunt; and during spring turkey season allow hunting equipment beginning 1.5 hours before sunrise the day preceding each hunt.
San Pedro Bay WMA – this WMA was removed from the WMA system by the landowner, just prior to the 2009-2010 season; therefore, all the rules need to be eliminated.
Steinhatchee Springs WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District; remove requirement to check game; replace the first-come first-served quota permits issued at the check station for the muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons with quota permits issued through the Total Licensing System (total number of permits will remain the same); establish a wild hog-dog season, two 3-day hunts (quota 50, no exemptions); allow only wild hog to be hunted during the hog-dog season; no more than three free-running dogs will be allowed per quota permit, each quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest (three total) and only one gun may be used per hunting group; and lengthen general gun season by seven days.
Thomas Creek WMA, Kings Road Unit – clarify that the bag limit for deer and turkey is one per quota permit.
Troy Springs WMA – allow public access only from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Twin Rivers WMA – prohibit camping except as authorized by the Division of Forestry.
Twin Rivers WMA, Blue Springs Unit – change the special-opportunity quail season to a quota quail season; establish the entire area as a quail enhancement area; allow up to eight days of quail hunting; and decrease the bag limit for quail from 12 per special-opportunity permit to six per quail quota permit.
Additional proposed rule changes would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The agency has determined that this rule will ____or will not __X__have an impact on small business. A SERC has ____ or has not _X_ been prepared by the agency.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 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 17-18, 2010, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Franklin County Courthouse, 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320
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 R. 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.
(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Archery – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8, 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 12-14 13-15 and 19-21 20-22, only in the still hunt areas.
7. Fishing – Allowed Permitted only on designated fish management areas, per fish management area regulations.
8. Trapping – December 1 through January 9 10, 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, the last two days of each of the two general gun still quota periods, the first two days of the non-quota period of the general gun still season and the last three days of each general gun dog hunt and the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. Taking 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 hogs and one antlered or antlerless deer may be taken per youth.
(c) No change.
(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 (1) in the dog hunt area and (2) 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. 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 allowed permitted in the area.
6. No change.
7. Only shotguns are allowed permitted for taking turkey during the spring turkey season.
8. through 13. No change.
14. Access to still hunt area one, still hunt area two and the dog hunt area is allowed only through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission check stations 1, 2 or 3.
15. No change.
(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28.
2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
4. Fishing – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
5. No change.
(b) – (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14 through January 23 24.
2. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
3. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
4. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
5. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted only during periods when hunting is allowed.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Public access is allowed permitted only when hunting is allowed and on the Friday prior to archery and spring turkey season and on the consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to the general gun season.
3. Public access to the area is allowed permitted only at designated entrances. Public access during periods when hunting is allowed permitted is limited to entering the area no earlier than one hour before legal shooting hours and exiting the area no later than one hour after legal shooting hours.
4. No change.
5. Access is allowed permitted only by individuals possessing a valid recreational user permit, except as provided by Section 379.354, F.S.
6. through 7. No change.
(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13-26 14-27, November 27 28 through December 12 13 and December 13 14 through January 9 10.
2. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
3. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
4. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
5. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
6. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Vehicles are restricted to established roads. Tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and unlicensed vehicles are prohibited. Non-motorized bicycles are allowed permitted, but may be ridden only on established roads.
3. During the general gun and small game seasons, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed permitted.
4. through 5. No change.
6. Horses are allowed permitted only during periods closed to hunting. Horses may be ridden only on established roads.
(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10.
2. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
3. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
4. Archery – September 25 26 through October 17 18.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-29 23-30 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.
6. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – August 7 8 through September 28 29 in the dog hunt portion of the area only from sunset to sunrise.
7. Special September duck Early duck – In the special September duck season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8. No change.
9. Trapping – January 10 11 through March 1.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Throughout the year but only on designated campsites during general gun season on that portion of the area designated and posted as National Forest lands. On that portion of the area designated and posted as State Forest lands, camping is allowed permitted throughout the year only at designated sites and only by permit from the Division of Forestry.
(d) No change.
(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14-22 and November 23 through January 9 10.
2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
4. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
5. No change.
6. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
7. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
8. Trapping – January 10 11 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.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except primitive overnight camping shall be allowed permitted at designated sites at Sponge Point and in the vicinity of Dallus Creek, by permit only from the Commission, for those individuals utilizing the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail from September 11 through June 30 only. This permit shall be valid for through-paddlers only and shall be valid for one night only.
(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 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 check all game taken.
4. through 8. No change.
(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10.
2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
4. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
5. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
6. Trapping – January 10 11 through March 1.
7. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8. 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. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. Wild hog: daily bag, 1; possession limit, 2.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except primitive overnight camping shall be allowed permitted at designated sites at Spring Warrior Creek, by permit only from the Commission, for those individuals utilizing the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail from September 11 through June 30 only. This permit shall be valid for through-paddlers only and shall be valid for one night only.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
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, Rock Road, Swamp Spur, 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, Rock Road and Road Spurs 1, 2 and 3.
3. through 4. No change.
5. Hunting raccoon and opossum as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed permitted only during the small game season.
6. through 7. No change.
(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13-21 14-22, 22-28 23-29 and November 29 30 through January 9 10.
2. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
3. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
4. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
5. Special September duck Early duck – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays on the Hickory Mound Impoundment and allowed permitted every day of the season on the remainder of the area as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
6. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and the first day of each phase of the waterfowl duck and coot season on the Hickory Mound Impoundment and allowed 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 10 11 through March 1.
(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.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except primitive overnight camping shall be allowed permitted at designated sites at Rock Island, by permit only from the Commission, for those individuals utilizing the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail from September 11 through June 30 only. This permit shall be valid for through-paddlers only and shall be valid for one night only.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Airboats or vehicles are prohibited inside the Hickory Mound Impoundment Area. Gas-powered outboard motors are prohibited in the Hickory Mound Impoundment from August 31 until March 31. Gas-powered outboard motors of 4 h.p. or less are allowed permitted in the Hickory Mound Impoundment from April 1 through August 30.
3. through 5. No change.
6. During the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, 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 check all game taken. 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.
7. through 8. No change.
9. During the general gun and small game seasons, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed permitted.
10. through 11. No change.
12. Hunting with dogs is prohibited during the archery season except that waterfowl retrievers may be used during the special September early duck season.
13. No change.
(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13-21 14-22 and November 22 23 through January 9 10.
2. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
3. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
4. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
5. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
6. Trapping – January 10 11 through March 1.
(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.
(c) Camping: Prohibited, except primitive overnight camping shall be allowed permitted at designated sites at the mouth of Sink Creek, and south of Horseshoe Beach, by permit only from the Commission, for those individuals utilizing the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail from September 11 through June 30 only. This permit shall be valid for through-paddlers only and shall be valid for one night only.
(d) No change.
(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. General gun – November 13 14 through December 5 6.
4. Small game – January 8 9 through February 6 7.
5. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28, March 28 29 through April 3 4 and April 4-10 5-11.
6. Trapping – January 8 9 through March 1.
7. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for antlered deer shall be one per quota permit per day. The bag limit for wild turkey during quota periods shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit; during non-quota periods, the bag limit shall be one per person person per season. Taking wild hog is prohibited during the small game season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
2. through 3. No change.
4. During the muzzleloading gun season and the first 16 days of the archery, general gun and spring turkey seasons, hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering or exiting the area and check all game taken. All hunters shall check in and out at the check station on Mandalay Road or Snipe Island Grade when entering and exiting the area. Hunters shall check all game taken. When check stations are unmanned, hunters shall use self-service check stations.
5. No change.
6. Horses are allowed permitted only during periods closed to hunting.
7. No change.
8. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons, no person shall enter or exit the area except through designated entrances.
(11) PotashCorp – White Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – Wednesdays and Saturdays of the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., except during the first phase of the Canada goose season.
2. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 13-21 14-22.
4. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28.
5. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed permitted during the archery and muzzleloading gun season.
2. through 6. No change.
7. Public access is prohibited except during periods open to hunting and the weekend prior to each hunting period. No person shall enter the area during the muzzleloading gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey seasons except those hunters possessing Raiford quota hunt permits for the appropriate season and those hunters exempt from quota hunt permit requirements pursuant to Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C.
(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13-21 14-22.
2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.
3. General gun – November 19-21 20-22.
4. Small game – January 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.
5. Family hunt – February 5-6 6-7 and 12-13 13-14.
6. Spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28 and April 15-17 16-18.
7. Supervised deer/hog youth hunt – October 16-17 17-18 and 23-24 24-25.
8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota hunt permit. During the family hunt, only wild hog may be taken. During the supervised deer-hog youth hunt, only antlered deer, antlerless deer by antlerless deer permit only, and wild hog may be taken. Wild hog may not be taken during the small game season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Vehicles may be operated only on improved designated portions of named or numbered roads. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, persons may enter the area no earlier than one-half hour before sunrise and shall exit no later than one-half hour after sunset. Horses and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited on the area.
4. through 5. No change.
6. During open hunting seasons access to the area shall be restricted to individuals with a valid quota hunt permit or their guests as identified in Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C for the area.
7. through 9. No change.
(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 27 28 through October 2 3, October 4-9 5-10 and 11-16 12-17.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1 and November 5-7 6-8.
3. Small game – December 20-25 21-26 and December 27 28 through January 1 2.
4. Spring turkey – March 24-26 25-27 and April 14-16 15-17.
5. Fishing – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Prohibited during periods open to hunting. During periods closed to hunting, camping is allowed only by permit only from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Vehicles may be operated only on designated portions of named or numbered roads. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, airboats or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited on the area. Horses are allowed only permitted on roads open to vehicular use or on designated horse trails.
5. No change.
6. Persons may enter the area no earlier than one and one-half (1.5) hours before sunrise and shall exit no later than one and one-half (1.5) hours after sunset year round.
7. No change.
(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 1 2 and October 2-10 3-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 17-23 18-24.
4. Small game –December 4-26 5-27.
5. Spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28 and April 15-17 16-18.
6. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Prohibited unless authorized by the Division of Forestry. Prohibited during periods open to hunting, and by landowner permit during periods closed to hunting.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Horses are allowed permitted only during daylight hours on designated roads.
5. through 10. No change.
(17) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area – Blue Springs Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. No change.
2. Quail Special-opportunity quail – Up to eight five Saturdays of quail hunting may be allowed in January and February, combined.
(b) Legal to take: Quail only. Bag limit during the special-opportunity quail hunt is six 12 quail per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. A quota special-opportunity quail permit, as established annually by Order of the Executive Director or designee, shall be required for each group entering the area to hunt quail. Up to two quota special-opportunity hunt 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 so as not to exceed as necessary to achieve a harvest of up to 15% of the fall population, based on annual fall an October quail surveys.
4. Persons participating in bird dog training or special-opportunity quail hunts shall enter and exit the area only at the entrance designated on the current hunt brochure.
5. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except by persons in possession of a valid bird dog training permit or quota special-opportunity permit, only on days the permit is valid and only on named or numbered roads.
6. Taking wildlife with firearms is prohibited except with blank-firing pistols during the bird dog training season by persons in possession of a bird dog training permit; and with shotguns during the special-opportunity quail season by those persons in possession of a valid quota special-opportunity quail permit.
7. Public access is allowed permitted for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
7.8. No change.
(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-28 26-29, September 29 30 through October 2 3, October 3-6 4-7 and 7-10 8-11.
2. Supervised small game – October 16-24 17-25, east of Yellow Water Creek, and east of the North Fork Black Creek but only south of its convergence with Yellow Water Creek.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
4. No change.
5. General gun – November 13-16 14-18, 17-20, 21-24 19-23 and 25-28 24-29.
6. Small game – January 14 15 through February 13 14, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.
7. Quail (quail enhancement area) – Up to eight Saturdays of quail hunting may be allowed in January and February, combined.
8.7. Spring turkey – March 19-21, 22-24 20-23 and 25-27 24-28.
9.8. Fishing – Throughout the year.
10. Duck, geese and coot – During the migratory bird seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
(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 per quota permit. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying north of the North Fork Black Creek, east of County Road 217 and west of the Yellow Water Creek) except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked Tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
3. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed during the small game and quail seasons and waterfowl retrievers are allowed during the duck, geese and coot season. In except in the Normandy Unit, where bird dogs are allowed only during the bird dog training season.
4. Horses are allowed permitted on roads, firelines and designated trails only.
5. through 7. No change.
8. Bicycles are allowed permitted throughout the year and shall be restricted to roads and firelines.
9. through 12. No change.
13. 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 hunt quail. Up to four 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 so as not to exceed a harvest of 15% of the fall population, based on annual fall quail surveys.
(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 15-17 16-18, October 29-31 30 through November 1, November 5-7 6-8 and December 17-19 18-20.
2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 25-27 26-28 and April 15-17 16-18.
3. No change.
(b) Legal to take: Any deer (except spotted fawns), gobbler or bearded turkey, gray squirrel, rabbit and fish. The bag limit shall be one deer and one turkey per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. During hunting periods, access will be restricted to individuals participating in the hunt with valid quota hunt permits and hikers using the Florida Trail.
3. Horses are allowed permitted only during daylight hours on designated roads and only during periods closed to hunting.
4. Vehicles may be operated from 1.5 one and one-half hours before sunrise until 1.5 one and one-half hours after sunset and only on designated portions of named or numbered roads.
5. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited except all-terrain vehicles may be used by certified mobility-impaired hunters during all hunts.
6. through 8. No change.
9. Only one mobility-impaired quota hunt permit may be utilized per individual per hunt.
10. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 17 18.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. General gun (still hunt) – November 13-15 14-16 and 16-18 17-19.
4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 19-21 20-22 and 22-25 23-26.
5. Small game – January 15 16 through February 6 7.
6. Spring turkey – March 19-25 20-26 and March 26 27 through April 3 4.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Fires are allowed permitted only at locations specified by the Division of Forestry.
4. No change.
5. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, and all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. Horses are allowed permitted only on roads and designated horse trails.
6. Motorized vehicular access is allowed only at designated entrances. Entry into or exit from the area at locations other than the entrances designated on the hunt map is prohibited.
7. through 12. No change.
(21) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – December 18-19 19-20 and January 8-9 9-10.
2. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
3. Muzzleloading gun – December 11-12 12-13 and January 1-2 2-3.
4. Archery – November 13 14 through December 5 6.
5. Spring turkey – March 22-24 23-25, April 5-7 6-8 and 19-21 20-22.
6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the archery season, antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer 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.
(c) Camping: Prohibited unless authorized by the Division of Forestry. Permitted in designated campsites only.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 8. No change.
9. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
9.10. 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 p.m. six days after the close of the small game season.
12. through 14. renumbered 10. through 12. No change.
(22) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 2-5 3-6 and 8-12 9-13.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 19-23 20-24.
4. Small game – November 26-28 27-29 and December 17-19 18-20.
5. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 25-29 26-30.
6. Special September Early duck – In September, during the seasons season established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
7. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(b) through (c) No change.
(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: vehicular access is allowed permitted one day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun hunt from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., and one day prior to each spring turkey hunt from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs are allowed during small game and special September early duck seasons. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
3. through 4. No change.
5. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, horses may be ridden only on designated roads and marked trails.
6. through 7. No change.
8. During the special September early duck season, shooting hours are from 0.5 one-half hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon each day.
9. Hunting equipment may be taken onto the area beginning 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and shall be removed from the area the last day of each hunt, except during spring turkey season, when hunting equipment is allowed on the area beginning 1.5 hours before sunrise the day preceding each hunt.
(23) Potts Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 25-29 26-30.
2. Archery – October 9-12 10-13 and 15-19 16-20.
3. Muzzleloading gun – November 5-7 6-8.
4. Wild General gun hog-dog – November 19-21 20-22.
5. Small game – December 10-12 11-13, January 7-9 8-10, and February 4-6 5-7.
6. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
7. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, 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. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild general gun hog-dog season.
(c) Camping: Camping is allowed permitted at designated campsites beginning 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and ending the last day of each hunt. during hunting seasons and Camping is allowed 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 with the following exceptions: vehicular access is allowed permitted one day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun and wild hog-dog general gun hunt from 8 a.m. 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.
2. No change.
3. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. The use of horses is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, horses may be ridden only on designated roads and designated trails.
4. through 7. No change.
8. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season, is prohibited except that dogs may be used during the wild general gun hog-dog season. During the wild general gun hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed. During non-hunting periods the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
9. During the wild general gun hog-dog season, a quota permit shall allows a hunting group of two persons and a guest, as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (three total) to participate in the hunt be required for each group of two hunters, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group possessed per quota permit.
10. Authorized hunting equipment, dogs and camping equipment may be taken onto the area beginning 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and shall be removed from the area the last day of each hunt. During spring turkey season, hunting equipment is allowed on the area beginning 1.5 hours before sunrise the day preceding each hunt.
(24) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 8-10 9-11 and 22-24 23-25.
2. Small game – November 13 14 through December 5 6 and December 25 26 through January 9 10.
3. Wild hog-still General gun hog – February 10-13 11-14 and 24-27 25-28.
4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 19-25 20-26 and April 2-8 3-9.
5. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(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 hog may be taken during the wild hog-still general gun hog season. Wild turkey 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.
(c) through (d) No change.
(25) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-28 26-29, September 29 30 through October 3 4 and October 4-10 5-11.
2. Family hunt – October 16-17 17-18 and 23-24 24-25.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
4. General gun – November 13-16 14-17 and 17-21 18-22.
5. Small game – November 27 28 through December 26 27.
6. Wild hog-still – January 24 through February 20.
7.6. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23 and 23-27 24-28.
8.7. No change.
9.8. Fishing – Allowed Permitted year-round.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game and fish. Only wild hog may be taken during the family hunt and the wild hog-still season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
2. No change.
3. Public access is prohibited shall be permitted from 1.5 one and one-half hours after sunset before sunrise until to 1.5 one and one-half hours before sunrise after sunset, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District. The public shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances only.
4. No change.
5. Hunting with dogs other than waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs is prohibited, except by persons hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C.
6. During the small game season, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C. shall be allowed by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(26) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8 (still hunt area only).
3. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10.
4. Small game – January 10 11 through February 20 7.
5. Wild hog-dog – February 25-27.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 3 4.
7.6. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
8.7. Trapping – January 10 11 through March 1.
9.8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Only wild hog may be taken during the wild hog-dog season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. During the muzzleloading gun season and first nine days of the general gun season, hunters shall check all game taken at the check station.
2.3. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered 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 allowed permitted only on roads and designated horse trails during daylight hours.
4. through 7. renumbered 3. through 6. No change.
7. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
8. During the small game season, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24-.002(2)(b), F.A.C. is allowed by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(27) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14 through December 9 10 and December 10 11 through January 9 10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
3. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
4. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
5. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
6. No change.
7. Fishing: Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 6. No change.
7. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(28) Little River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Small game – December 4-8 5-9 and 25-29 26-30.
4. Fishing – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
5. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District. A quota permit is required of all hunters entering the area during open hunting seasons, except during the small game season.
(29) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Small game – November 13 14 through January 9 10, 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. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Public access is allowed permitted only through designated access points.
5. No change.
6. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
(30) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11 and November 20-28 21-29.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
3. Spring turkey – The first three days of the Zone C Central Zone season, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the third and fifth weekends of the Zone C Central Zone season.
4. through 5. No change.
(b) No change.
(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, only quota permit holders and their hunting guests may camp in Area 3.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
5. During hunting periods, public access in Areas 2, 3 and 4 is restricted to those individuals with valid quota hunt permits and their hunting guests.
6. No change.
7. Horses are allowed permitted throughout the year in Area 1 but only during non-hunting periods in Areas 2, 3 and 4.
8. No change.
9. Vehicular access is allowed permitted on all hunt days plus the weekend and the day before all hunts except spring turkey season when it shall be allowed permitted only on hunt days and the day before each hunt.
10. through 12. No change.
(31) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
3. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10.
4. Small game – January 10 through March 6.
5.4. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
6.5. Trapping – December 1 through January 9 10.
7.6. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
8.7. Fishing Fish and frogging – Throughout the year.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Vehicles are prohibited year-round in the Camps Canal area, in those lands lying south of County Road 346, and in those lands lying north of County Road 2082. Vehicles are restricted to named or numbered roads in the remaining portion of the area. Non-motorized bicycles are allowed permitted, but may be ridden only on named or numbered roads or designated recreational trails identified in the area brochure.
3. through 5. No change.
6. Access is allowed permitted only by individuals possessing a valid recreational user permit, except as provided by Section 379.354, F.S., or by any person using the designated recreational trails identified in the area brochure for horseback riding, bicycling or hiking.
7. No change.
(32) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. General gun – November 13-21 14-22 and November 22 23 through December 12 6.
4. Small game – January 24 23 through February 20 21.
5. Wild hog-dog – February 25-27 and March 4-6.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 19-22 20-23, 23-27 24-28 and March 28 29 through April 10 11.
7.6. No change.
8.7. Fishing and frogging – Allowed Permitted throughout the year.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Only wild hog may be taken the during the wild hog-dog season.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. The possession or use of dogs, other than waterfowl retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C. and during the wild hog-dog season.
2. No change.
3. The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
4. through 5. No change.
6. Hunters shall check all game taken during the muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey seasons.
6.7. No change.
7. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except by persons possessing a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
8. During the wild hog-dog season, no more than three free-running dogs per quota permit shall be allowed.
9. During the wild hog-dog season a quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest (3 total), as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
(33) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 13 14 through January 9 10.
2. Small game – January 10 11 through March 6 7.
3. Spring turkey – March 19 20 through April 24 25.
4. Archery – September 25 26 through October 24 25.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
6. No change.
7. Trapping – January 10 11 through March 1.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Access to the area is allowed permitted only by individuals possessing a valid recreational use permit and only from the Saturday prior to the archery season through the last day of the spring turkey season.
(34) Cary Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28 and October 1-3 2-4.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 15-17 16-18 and October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.
4. General gun – November 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.
5. Small game – December 3 4 through January 9 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.
7. Duck, geese and coot – During the migratory bird seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game except that only wild hog, and antlered deer and waterfowl may be taken during the family hunt, and the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. During the archery season the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered or one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit shall be one antlered deer per quota permit. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkey shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Taking wildlife with dogs is prohibited except that bird dogs are allowed during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers during the duck, geese and coot season.
3. through 4. No change.
5. On that portion of the area open for hunting, horses are allowed only on established roads during periods when hunting is allowed permitted.
6. through 7. No change.
8. 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.
(35) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 20-28 21-29.
2. Archery – September 25 26 through October 3 4.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 31 through November 7 8.
4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 16-19 17-20.
5. Small game – December 20 21 through January 2 3 and February 5-13 6-14.
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – The first three days of the Zone C Central Zone season, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the third and fifth weekends of the Zone C Central Zone season.
8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Vehicular access is allowed permitted on all hunt days plus the weekend and day before all hunts except spring turkey, and small game seasons when it shall be allowed permitted only on hunt days and the day before each hunt. The use of all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
5. During periods open to hunting, other than small game season, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota hunt permits. or their guests as identified in Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. Two 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.
6. through 9. No change.
(36) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Small game – January 24 25 through March 6 7.
4. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28.
5. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. All-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
(37) Belmore Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.
4. General gun – November 18-21 19-22 and 24-28 25-29.
5. Small game – December 3 4 through January 9 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.
8. No change.
9. Duck, geese and coot – During the migratory bird seasons as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
(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 quota person per permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per quota 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 quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked Tracked vehicles, airboats, and 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 the duck, geese and coot season.
4. through 7. No change.
(38) Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.
4. General gun – November 18-21 19-22 and 24-28 25-29.
5. Small game – December 3 4 through January 9 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 19-21 20-22, 25-27 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.
8. Duck, geese Waterfowl and coot – During seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C.
9. No change.
(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 quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per quota 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 quota permit.
(c) through (d) No change.
(39) Hatchet Creek Wildlife Management Area
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.
4. General gun – November 19-21 20-22 and 26-28 27-29.
5. No change.
6. Spring turkey – March 19-21, 25-27 20-22, 26-28 and April 1-3 2-4.
7. No change.
(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 quota permit. During the family hunt the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one antlered deer per person per quota 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 quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked Tracked vehicles, airboats, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
3. through 8. No change.
9. During periods open to hunting, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits and those persons identified in Rule 68A-15.005 68A-15.004, F.A.C.
(40) Log Landing Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25 26 through October 10 11 and November 13-21 14-22.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Small game – December 3 4 through January 9 10 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
4. No change.
5. Spring turkey – March 19-27 20-28.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(41) Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area - Kings Road Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 25-27 26-28, October 4-6 5-7 and 11-13 12-14.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29-31 30 through November 1.
3. Family hunt – November 13-14 14-15.
4. General gun – November 19-21 20-22 and 24-26 25-27.
5. Small game – December 3-8 4-9, 13-15 14-16, 24-26 25-27, December 31 through January 2 January 1-3 and January 10-12 11-13.
6. No change.
7. Spring turkey – March 19-21, 28-30 20-22, 29-31 and April 4-6 5-7.
8. No change.
(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 quota permit during the archery season, one antlered deer per person during the family hunt and one antlered deer per person per quota 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 quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. During periods open to hunting, other than the small game season, public access is restricted to individuals with valid quota permits and their hunting guests as identified in Rule 68A-15.005 F.A.C.
7. No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2010.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. 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, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10.
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.