29965548, 68A-15.061 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29965548

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.061	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region
68A-15.062	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
68A-15.063	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
68A-15.065	Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise hunting and public access regulations during youth turkey hunts on select Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest, North Central, Northwest, and Northeast Regions. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to maintain the current 2-day youth turkey hunt on Devil’s Hammock WMA and limit public access to hunters, and certain other users as needed, during youth turkey hunts on select WMAs throughout the state.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendments adjust current regulations as follows:

68A-15.061 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Southwest Region):
Hilochee WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or fishing on area lakes and ponds.
Hilochee, Osprey Unit WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or fishing on area lakes and ponds.
Lower Hillsborough WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.
Orange Hammock WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.

68A-15.062 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region):
Cypress Creek WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Suwannee River.
Devil’s Hammock WMA – establish that the youth turkey hunt will begin the second Saturday in March and close one day thereafter to avoid expanding to a 4-day youth turkey hunt; and limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.
Little River WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.
Log Landing WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Suwannee River.
Lower Econfina WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Econfina River.
Middle Aucilla WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Aucilla River.
Steinhatchee Springs WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.

68A-15.063 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region):
Beaverdam Creek WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Apalachicola River.
Box-R WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Apalachicola and Jackson rivers.
Chipola River WMA, Altha Tract – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Chipola River.
Econfina Creek WMA, Cat Creek Area – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.
Telogia Creek WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.

68A-15.065 (Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region):
Caravelle Ranch WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt (held in the portion of the area lying south of the Cross Florida Barge Canal) to individuals participating in the hunt or through-hiking on the Florida Trail.
Half Moon WMA – limit public access during the youth turkey hunt to individuals participating in the hunt.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

9/10/2025 Vol. 51/176

COMMENTS:

From 9/10/2025 To 10/1/2025 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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