68A-15.065: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:
Caravelle Ranch WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only (quota of 10, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit; allow only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles to be used for camping; and allow authorized camping equipment and camping for no more than 14 days within a 30-day period; and prohibit the take of dove south of Rodeheaver Road and east of State Road 19, except on the special-opportunity dove fields by persons in possession of current and valid special-opportunity dove permits.
Charles H. Bronson WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 10, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Etoniah Creek WMA – establish wild hog as legal to take during small game season.
Fort McCoy WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required).
Guana River WMA – prohibit horses during spring turkey season.
Half Moon WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 30, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Herky Huffman / Bull Creek WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required) and require persons to enter and exit at a designated entrance.
Jumper Creek WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Lake George WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 25, no exemptions).
Lake Panasoffkee WMA – establish a 3-day wild hog-dog hunt in February (quota 35; no exemptions); and remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Little Big Econ WMA – require persons to enter and exit at a designated entrance.
Ocala WMA – clarify that motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated, named or numbered roads and mixed-used roads, except all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads; establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt on the Lake Delancy Unit (quota of 40, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit; allow the take of catfish by bow and arrow in Salt Springs Run; and increase the quota for muzzleloading gun on the Church Lake Unit from 225 to 250.
Ocklawaha River WMA, Gores Landing – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 5, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Relay WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required).
Richloam WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Richloam WMA, Baird Unit – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 30, no exemptions).
Salt Lake WMA – remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Seminole Ranch WMA – remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Three Lakes WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Three Lakes WMA, Prairie Lakes Unit – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 15, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Tiger Bay WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 10, no exemptions).
Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (quota of 10, no exemptions) with a bag limit of one turkey per quota permit.
Tosohatchee WMA – remove the limitation of one gun per hunting party during the wild hog-dog season.
Twelve Mile Swamp WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (Recreational Use Permit required).
Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA – establish a 2-day youth turkey hunt (no quota permit required).
Additionally proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections and language standardization. There are also proposed changes to some hunting seasons on FWC-managed areas in an effort to better align season dates with times of peak deer activity associated with the breeding season and other hunter preferences.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The Agency has determined that this will not have an impact on small business. An SERC has not 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.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows:
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 23-24, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day.
PLACE: Franklin County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Courtroom, 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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.
(1) Herky Huffman / Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 5-6 13-14 and November 7 15 through January 1 9.
2. Small game – January 2 10 through March 4 6.
3. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
4. Archery – September 17-18 25-26 and September 19 27 through October 16 24.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 29-31.
6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
7.6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunters shall enter and exit at a designated entrance, check in and out at a check station and check all game taken. During small game season, hunters shall check in and out using self-check boxes located at each designated entrance and record all game taken. Persons hunting on the Crabgrass Creek portion of the area shall have a daily permit issued from the check station in their possession (except during the small game season) and shall enter and exit at a designated entrance point on Crabgrass Road. Persons engaging in recreational activities other than hunting shall enter and exit at a designated entrance and register at the check station upon entering and exiting the area, except persons hiking through on the Florida Trail.
2. No change.
3. Hunters shall check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area and shall check all game taken, except during the small game season when hunters shall check in and out using self-check boxes located at each designated entrance and record all game taken. Persons engaging in recreational activities other than hunting shall register at the check station upon entering and exiting the area.
4. through 5. renumbered 3. through 4. No change.
6. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
5.7. No change.
(2) Fort McCoy Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 5 13 through January 1 9.
2. Small game – January 2-22 10-30.
3. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
4. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 30 through November 7.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
7.6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Access to the area is allowed only from the Saturday two weeks prior to the archery season through one day after the last day of the spring turkey season.
5. Taking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from rights-of-way of all paved roads or Gooski Road is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.
6. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
5.7. No change.
(3) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 12 13 through January 8 9.
2. General gun still – November 26 27 through December 4 5 (Church Lake Unit only).
3. Small game – January 9 10 through March 4 6.
4. Archery – September 24 25 through October 23 24.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy Management Units only.
6. Fox, opossum, bobcat and raccoon – November 12 13 through April 15 17.
7. No change.
8. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 (Lake Delancy Unit only).
9.8. Spring turkey – March 22-25 24-27, March 29 31 through April 1 3, April 5-8 7-10 and 12-15 14-17.
9. through 11. renumbered 10. through 12. No change.
(b) Legal to take:
1. All legal game (except antlerless deer), fish, frogs and furbearers. During the spring turkey season, the bag limit shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit. Antlered deer may only be taken in the Church Lake Unit during the archery season, muzzleloading gun season the first 9 days of the general gun season and the general gun still season. Deer daily bag one. Antlerless deer may not be taken during the archery season.
2. Furbearing animals – During the November 12 13 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only in the Pipeline and Church Lake Management Units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 5 7 through April 15 17 only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be allowed from January 9 10 through April 15 17, only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.
(c) Camping: Throughout the year. Use of trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles is prohibited except in designated campsites. During the general gun season, use of tents is prohibited except in designated campsites. Camping is allowed by the use of tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles only on designated campsites during the general gun season.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Bow and arrow may be used to take nongame fish, except catfish, in Salt Springs Run (Marion County).
4.5. No change.
5.6. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 9 10 through April 15 17 in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19.
6. Motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated, named or numbered roads and mixed-use roads, except all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated motorized trails and mixed-use roads.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(e) No change.
(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 19-27 13-21 and November 28 22 through January 15 9.
2. Spring turkey – March 17-25 19-27 and March 26 28 through April 22 24.
3. Archery – October 15 through November 13 September 25 through October 24.
4. No change.
5. Trapping – January 16 10 through March 1.
6. Wild hog-dog – January 17-19 11-13.
7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 6. No change.
7. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
7.8. No change.
8.9. Hunting raccoon and opossum as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is allowed only during the general gun, wild hog-dog and trapping seasons.
(5) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 29 through November 1, November 2-6 and 7-13 September 25-28, September 29 through October 3 and October 4-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 19-21 October 29-31.
3. General gun – January 14-17 and 18-22 November 13-16 and 17-21.
4. Wild hog-still – January 24-26 11-13.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
7.6. Small game – January 28 through March 4 January 15 through February 20.
8.7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 5-6 13-14 and November 7 15 through January 1 9.
2. Small game – January 2 10 through March 4 6.
3. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
4. Archery – September 17-18 25-26 and September 19 27 through October 16 24.
5. No change.
6. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 29-31.
7. General gun for mobility impaired – October 28-30 November 5-7.
8. General gun-dog – December 8-11 9-12 and December 29 30 through January 1 2.
9. through 10. No change.
11. Raccoon – January 27-29 28-30 (from 1.5 hours before sunset on Friday until 1.5 hours after sunrise on Sunday) in that area between the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 441 only.
12. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, alligators as specified in Rule 68A-25.042, F.A.C., frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season and general-gun dog season. Killing quail is prohibited on the quail enhancement area (that portion of the area lying east of the Florida Turnpike) except by quail permit during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the quail enhancement area is six (6) per quota permit. During the general gun for mobility impaired season, the bag limit for antlerless deer is one per certified mobility-impaired hunter and only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 7. No change.
8. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
9. through 12. renumbered 8. through 11. No change.
12. Mobility-impaired hunters may be accompanied by one hunting guest and one non-hunting assistant; the non-hunting assistant may participate in the hunt but may not harvest wildlife. All guests must enter and exit the area with the mobility-impaired hunter and share the same vehicle. The guest hunter cannot hunt on the area unless the mobility-impaired hunter is present on the area. The guests may not bring additional hunters on the area. The guest hunter and mobility-impaired hunter must share the bag limit of a single person. The mobility-impaired hunter shall be responsible for both parties complying with the bag limit. Mobility-impaired hunters shall have their valid mobility-impaired certification cards in possession.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, alligator hunt participants may operate airboats throughout the area when taking alligators except that airboats are not allowed in those portions of the area posted as restricted to airboat access for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas as specified above. Alligator hunters are not required to check in and out at a check station when entering and exiting the area or record at the check station any alligators taken.
(7) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area – Prairie Lakes Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 30 through October 2 and October 7-9 October 1-3 and 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 October 29-31.
3. General gun – November 18-20 and 25-27 19-21 and 26-28.
4. Small game – December 10 11 through January 1 2.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
7.6. No change.
8.7. Wild hog-still – December 2-4 3-5 and January 6-8 7-9.
8. through 9. renumbered 9. through 10. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
2. through 6. renumbered 1. through 5. No change.
(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 5-13 13-21 and November 14 22 through January 1 9.
2. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 29-31.
4. Small game – January 2 10 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
7.6. No change.
(b) Legal to take:
1. All legal game, fish, except as provided below, frogs and furbearers..
2. No change.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
6. through 8. renumbered 5. through 7. No change.
(9) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 12-20 13-21.
2. Archery – September 24 25 through October 9 10.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
4. Small game – November 24 25 through January 1 2.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
6. through 7. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, turkeys, fish, frogs and furbearers. The take of wild hog is prohibited during small game season. 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 shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
5. through 6. renumbered 4. through 5. No change.
(10) Relay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 5 13 through January 1 9.
2. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 30 through November 7.
4. Small game – January 2 10 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
7.6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(11) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 6-9 and 13-16 September 30 through October 3 and October 7-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27-30 and November 3-6 14-17 and 21-24.
3. General gun – November 17-20 18-21 and 25-27 26-28.
4. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
5. Wild hog-dog – January 13-19 14-20 and February 10-16 11-17.
6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. During the wild hog-dog hunts, a quota permit allows a hunting group of two persons and a guest as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. (three individuals total) to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
3. through 5. No change.
6. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
7. through 8. renumbered 6. through 7. No change.
(12) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31 and November 4-6 5-7.
3. General gun – November 18-20 19-21.
4. Small game – November 26-27 27-28, December 3-4 4-5, 10-11 11-12 and January 7-8 8-9.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
6. Wild hog-dog – January 28-29 29-30 and January 30 31 through February 3 4.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-dog and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and may be parked only at designated parking areas.
3. through 8. No change.
9. During the wild hog-dog season, a quota permit allows a hunting group of two persons and a guest as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. (three individuals total) to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
10. No change.
(13) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 29-31.
3. General gun – November 5-13 13-21 and November 14 22 through January 1 9.
4. Small game – January 2-22 10-30.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
6. through 7. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(14) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 30 through October 2 and October 7-9 October 1-3 and 8-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 15-17 and 28-30 22-24.
3. General gun – November 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21.
4. Small game – December 3-4 4-5, 10-11 11-12 and January 7-8 8-9.
5. No change.
(b) Legal to take: Only deer and wild hog may be taken during the archery, general gun and muzzleloading gun seasons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Only rabbit, gray squirrel and bobwhite quail may be taken during the small game season. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. The bag limit for deer shall be one antlered and one antlerless deer per quota permit. During the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, antlerless deer may be taken only by antlerless deer permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Vehicles are prohibited on Old 433 except during established check station hours during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and small game seasons and from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. during all other times may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Vehicles are allowed on all other named or numbered roads, but only one day prior to and during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and small game seasons. Vehicles and may only be parked at designated parking areas.
4. through 8. No change.
(15) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. No change.
2. General gun – November 18-20 19-21 and 25-27 26-28.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-24 and 28-30 29-31 and November 5-7.
4. Archery – October 7-9 15-17 and 14-16 22-24.
5. Small game –December 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12, January 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16, 20-22 21-23 and 27-29 28-30.
6. Spring turkey – March 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
7. Fishing, frogging and other non-hunting recreational use – Allowed at all times on Lake Ponte Vedra from Guana Dam to a line two miles north of the dam, and on the remainder of Lake Ponte Vedra and the interior freshwater lakes only from February 10 through November 10.
8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Hunters (except public water alligator hunt participants) shall check in and out at the check station when entering or exiting the area and shall check all game taken. Hunters shall check out at the check station by 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the spring turkey season, when hunters must check out by 2 p.m.
7. through 13. No change.
14. The use of boats within 50 yards of the Guana Dam water control structure Water Control Structure is prohibited.
15. through 16. No change.
17. Lake Ponte Vedra shall be open for recreational use from Guana Dam to a line two miles north of the dam at all times, and on the remainder of Lake Ponte Vedra and the interior lakes only from February 10 through November 10.
17.18. Horses and bicycles may be used only on named or numbered trails or roads. Horses shall be prohibited during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, spring turkey and small game seasons.
19. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken on the area no earlier than 7 a.m. one day before the opening of the archery season and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day following the close of the final small-game season.
(e) No change.
(16) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 5-7 13-15 and 11-13 19-21.
4. Small game –December 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19.
5. Wild hog-still – January 13-15 14-16, 20-22 21-23 and 27-29 28-30.
6. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
7.6. Spring turkey – March 23-25 25-27, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 6-8 8-10.
8.7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(17) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 2 3.
2. Supervised small game – October 8-16 9-17.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
4. General gun – November 12-15 13-16 and 16-20 17-21.
5. Special-opportunity dove – The first and second Saturdays only during the first phase; the third Saturday only during the second phase; and the first, third and fifth Saturdays Saturday only during the third phase of the mourning dove and white-winged dove season established by Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.
6. Small game – November 24 25 through January 8 9 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
7. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11 (south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal only).
8.7. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
9.8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers (except bobcat and otter). During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons the bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, 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 quota permit. The take of dove is prohibited south of Rodeheaver Road and east of State Road 19, except on the special-opportunity dove fields by persons in possession of current and valid special-opportunity dove permits.
(c) Camping: Camping is allowed only in designated primitive campsites. Only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. Authorized camping equipment and camping are allowed for no more than 14 days within a 30-day period.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. Vehicular access is prohibited except allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey hunts each season(except small game) and during periods when the area is open to hunting. Vehicular access is also allowed during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, supervised small game and small game seasons from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time; during the special-opportunity dove season from 11 a.m. until one hour after sunset; and during the spring turkey season from 4:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Public access other than on foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian), or by bicycle is prohibited at all other times.
6. through 8. No change.
(18) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-15 13-16, 16-20 17-21 and 21-27 22-28.
4. Small game – November 28 29 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
6. renumbered 7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(19) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Small game – November 26 27 through December 11 12 and December 24 25 through January 8 9.
2. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 19-25, March 31 through April 6 April 2-8 and April 14-20 16-22.
3. No change.
4. Archery – September 24 25 through October 9 10.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
6. General gun – November 12-20 13-21.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(e) No change.
(20) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24-27 25-28 and September 28 29 through October 2 3.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun –December 3-6 4-7 and 7-11 8-12.
4. Small game – January 14-29 15-30 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 21-23 22-24.
7. Fishing and frogging – During periods open to hunting and at other times as access is allowed by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Division of Forestry and these rules. Fish may be taken only by hook and line or rod and reel. Oaks and Bear Ponds are open to fishing only during daylight hours.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed, except that all-terrain vehicles may be used one day prior to and during the general gun for mobility-impaired season but only by persons participating in the mobility-impaired hunt. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Division of Forestry.
4. through 8. No change.
9. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(21) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Wild hog-still – January 27-29 28-30, February 3-5 4-6, 10-12 11-13 and 17-19 18-20.
2. Special-opportunity deer – October 15-21 and October 29 through November 4 30 through November 5 and November 13-19.
3. Small game – November 26 27 through January 22 23.
4. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 19-25, March 31 through April 6 April 2-8 and April 14-20 16-22.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Allowed only at designated campsites and only during periods open to hunting. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
(d) General regulations:
1. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
2. through 6. renumbered 1. through 5. No change.
6.7. Only During periods open to hunting, only individuals in possession of a special-opportunity permit may have vehicle access to the area and only from sunrise to sunset on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the hunt and only from sunrise to sunset on those days and during the hunt. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area during these times.
8. through 9. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(22) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 9 10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-15 13-16 and 16-20 17-21.
4. No change.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be one per quota permit. Taking wild hog is prohibited during small game season. During the spring turkey season the bag limit for turkeys shall be one gobbler or bearded turkey per quota permit.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Vehicular access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to each season (except small game), and during periods when the area is open to hunting. Public access other than on foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian) or bicycle is prohibited at all other times, except that vehicle access is allowed on Scrub and North Cablegate Roads year round.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(23) Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 7-13 8-14 and 14-22 15-23.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 4-6 5-7.
3. General gun – November 18-20 19-21, 25-27 26-28 and December 2-4 3-5.
4. Small game – December 10-25 11-26.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. Vehicular access is restricted to individuals participating in the hunt. Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.
3. No change.
4. Persons shall enter and exit at a designated entrance.
4. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(24) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 22-25 24-27, April 3-6 5-8 and 19-22 21-24.
2. Special-opportunity archery – September 22-25, October 4-7, 13-16, 25-28, November 3-6, 15-18, December 1-4 and 13-16 September 30 through October 3, October 7-10, 19-22, November 4-7, 16-19, December 2-5, 14-17 and January 6-9.
3. Wild hog-still – January 13-15 14-16.
4. Wild hog-dog – January 25-27 and February 22-24 26-28.
5. Small game – February 3-5 4-6 and 10-12 11-13.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) No change.
(c) Camping: Camping is allowed at designated campsites beginning at 8 a.m. the day preceding each hunt and ending the last day of each hunt. Camping is allowed at other times by permit from the Southwest 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 alteration, defacing, moving, tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for each campsite shall be visibly affixed to the camping shelter.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. During periods open to hunting, the operation of a vehicle on the area is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise unless camping at designated hunter campsites during periods open to hunting or by permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
6. No change.
7. Only shotguns and archery equipment may be used during the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts.
7.8. No change.
9. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
10. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for each campsite shall be visibly affixed to the camping shelter.
8.11. No change.
9.12. During the wild hog-dog season, a quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C. (three individuals total) to participate in the hunt, and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
10.13. No change.
(25) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season: Supervised small game – October 15-21 16-22, November 19-25 20-26, December 17-23 18-24 and January 14-20 15-21.
(b) through (d) No change.
(26) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 2 3 and October 8-14 9-15.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-15 13-16 and 16-20 17-21.
4. Small game –December 3-18 4-19.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
6. Wild hog-still – January 5-8 6-9 and 19-22 20-23.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 3. No change.
4. Vehicular access is restricted to hunters who possess a valid quota permit. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and may be parked only in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.
5. No change.
6. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. At all other times During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than by foot, horseback or bicycle is prohibited.
7. No change.
(27) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity deer – October 29 through November 4 November 13-19.
2. Small game – December 10-25 11-26.
3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 17-23 19-25, March 31 through April 6 April 2-8 and April 14-20 16-22.
4. Wild hog-still – October 7-9 8-10, 14-16 15-17 and 21-23 22-24.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(28) Ocklawaha River Wildlife Management Area – Gores Landing Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 9 10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-20 13-21.
4. Small game – December 3-18 4-19.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
7.6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset one day prior to each season and during periods when the area is open to hunting and from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 6 p.m. one day after the close of each season.
2. through 4. No change.
(29) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24-26 25-27 and September 30 through October 2 October 1-3.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-14 13-15.
4. Wild hog-still – November 18-20 19-21, December 16-18 17-19 and January 13-15 14-16.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21 and 23-25 25-27.
6. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. The bag limit for deer shall be two per quota permit. During the wild hog-still season, only wild hog is legal to take.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-still and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is regulated by the Division of Forestry.
4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(30) Twelve Mile Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 30 through November 7.
3. General gun – November 5 13 through January 1 9.
4. Small game – January 2 10 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
7.6. No change.
8.7. Trapping – January 2 10 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(31) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 17 25 through October 16 24.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 22-30 30 through November 7.
3. General gun – November 5 13 through January 15 23.
4. Small game – January 16 24 through March 4 6.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17 19 through April 22 24.
6. through 8. renumbered 7. through 9. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 19-20 20-21. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. Gobblers or bearded turkey may be taken during the general gun season only from November 5 13 through January 1 9.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game, duck and coot seasons, and dogs may be used for wild hog hunting during January 18-22 26-30.
7. through 10. No change.
(32) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 9 10 and November 19-27 20-28.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 29 30 through November 6 7.
3. Wild hog-still – January 21-29 22-30.
4. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, March 30 through April 1 April 1-3 and April 13-15 15-17.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 9. No change.
10. Taking wildlife with rimfire or centerfire rifles or pistols is prohibited during the spring turkey and wild hog-still season seasons.
11. No change.
(33) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 2 3 and October 3-9 4-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. General gun – November 12-15 13-16 and 16-20 17-21.
4. Small game –December 9-11 10-12, 16-18 17-19; January 6-8 7-9, 13-15 14-16; February 10-12 11-13, 17-19 18-20.
5. Wild hog-dog – January 19-22 20-23.
6. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog-dog and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. At all other times During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than by foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian), or by bicycle is prohibited.
7. through 8. No change.
9. During the wild hog-dog season, a quota permit shall allow a hunting group of two persons and a guest as authorized by Rule 68A-15.005, F.A.C., (three individuals total) to participate in the hunt and only one gun may be used to take wildlife per hunting group.
(34) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 24 25 through October 2 3 and October 3-9 4-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 28-30 29-31.
3. Family hunt – November 12-13 13-14.
4. General gun – November 14-20 15-21.
5. Wild hog-still – December 3-11 4-12.
6. Small game – January 9-24 10-25.
7. Spring turkey – March 17-20 19-22 and 21-25 23-27.
8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
(35) Lake Monroe.
(a) Open season:
1. Non-migratory game – Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except that open season for rabbit will open the first Saturday in November and run through the close of shall be during the zonal squirrel season only, antlered deer season will open the first second Saturday in November and close 57 days thereafter and there shall be no crossbow season.
2. through 4. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(36) Charles H. Bronson Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 7-13 8-14 and 14-22 15-23.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 4-6 5-7.
3. General gun – November 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21 and December 2-4 3-5.
4. Small game – December 10-18 11-19 and January 7-13 8-14.
5. Youth turkey hunt – March 10-11.
6.5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 18-20, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
6. through 7. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. No change.
2. Vehicle access is prohibited except persons participating in a hunt are allowed vehicle access during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons and one day prior to each of these seasons. Persons participating in a hunt are also allowed vehicle access during small game season. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.
3. through 4. No change.
5. The use of centerfire rifles for taking wild turkey during the spring turkey season is prohibited.
5.6. No change.
(37) Marshall Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 17-23, 24-30, October 1-7, 8-14 and 15-23 September 25 through October 1; October 2-8, 9-15, 16-22 and 23-31.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 4-6 5-7.
3. General gun – November 18-20 19-21, 25-27 26-28 and December 2-4 3-5.
4. No change.
5. Spring turkey – March 17-19 19-21, 23-25 25-27 and March 30 through April 1 April 1-3.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Vehicles may be operated only in designated parking areas and on Entrance Road.
4. through 7. No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011.
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 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11.
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.