30363927, 68A-13.0001 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 30363927

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS

Overview

RULE:

68A-13.0001	Definitions
68A-13.004	Hunting Regulations for Non-Migratory Game and Issuance of Antlerless Deer Permits and Private Lands Deer Management Permits
68A-13.007	Hunting Regulations on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas

PURPOSE:

The proposed rule amendments will update definitions of deer management units (DMUs) and deer hunting zones; make a correction to existing hunting regulations for deer; and revise regulations regarding allowed methods of take, the labeling and use of hunting and other wildlife-recreation equipment, and motorized vehicles on Public Small Game Hunting Areas (PSGHAs). The proposed rule amendment will clarify existing DMU and zonal boundaries for deer hunting, fix a reference that incorrectly excludes deer taken under certain permits from statewide bag and possession limits, align rules for nighttime gun seasons with the original intent of these hunts, and better manage public recreation on PSGHAs.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendment would adjust current regulations as follows: 

68A-13.0001 (Definitions): 
	Deer Management Unit (DMU) and Zonal Boundaries – clarify the existing boundaries of DMUs A1, A2, A3, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6 and zones A, C, and D.

68A-13.004 (Protection of Certain Deer and Turkey; Tagging of Deer, Bear, and Turkey; Deer Harvest Reporting; Evidence of Sex Required):
	Exceptions to Deer Bag and Possession Limits – clarify that only deer taken under permits issued pursuant to rules 68A-9.002 and 9.012, F.A.C., are not subject to statewide bag and possession limits.

68A-13.007 (Hunting Regulations on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas):
	Hunting Equipment on PSGHAs – establish that tree stands, elevated shooting platforms, and unattended ground blinds may not be placed on a PSGHA until after 8:00 a.m. the day before any hunt and must be removed from the area by 6 p.m. the day after the end of every hunt, unless otherwise provided by area rule. 
	Labeling tree stands, elevated shooting platforms, trail cameras, and ground blinds on PSGHAs – require PSGHA users to obtain a Go Outdoors Florida customer identification number and permanently attach this number in a legible and conspicuous manner to all tree stands, elevated shooting platforms, trail cameras, and ground blinds before leaving any of these items unattended on a PSGHA, prohibit tampering with or removal of this identifying information without the owner’s permission, and establish that FWC and cooperator staff may remove any of these items if they are not properly labeled. 
	Nighttime Hunting Restriction on Guns Equipped with Thermal or Night-vision Devices – prohibit the take of wildlife on PSGHAs at night (from 30 minutes after sunset through 30 minutes before sunrise) with a gun equipped with a thermal, night-vision, or similar device. 
	Off-road vehicles on PSGHAs – clarify that recreational off-highway vehicles (side-by-sides) and swamp buggies are prohibited on PSGHAs unless allowed by area-specific regulation. 
 
Additionally, the proposed rule amendment also clarifies existing rules; removes unnecessary, redundant, or conflicting language; corrects prior mistakes; and makes non-substantive, technical corrections.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. .; Sec. 375.313, Fla. Stat.

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. .; ss 379.2223, 375.313, Fla. Stat.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

12/30/2025 Vol. 51/251

COMMENTS:

From 12/30/2025 To 1/20/2026 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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