14244273, 68A-13.004 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 14244273

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS

Overview

RULE:

68A-13.004

Hunting Regulations for Non-Migratory Game and Issuance of Antlerless Deer Permits and Private Lands Deer Management Permits

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to relocate zonal hunting boundary descriptions from 68A-13.004 to a new definitions section (68A-13.0001), prohibit the taking of antlered deer unless it has at least one antler with two or more points in deer management unit (DMU) D1, prohibit the taking of antlered deer unless it has at least one antler with 3 or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length in DMU D2. Youth under 16 years of age would be exempt from these new antler regulations. The proposal would also change the length and timing of the antlerless deer season to include more weekend days to improve the chances of hunters participating in one or more days. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage white-tailed deer based on recent biological and public preference information.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendment would prohibit the taking of antlered deer unless it has at least one antler with two or more points in DMU D1, prohibit the taking of antlered deer unless it has at least one antler with 3 or more points or one antler with a main beam of ten inches or more in length in DMU D2. Youth under 16 years of age would be exempt from these new antler regulations and would be able to harvest antlered deer with at least one antler 5 inches above the hairline. 

The proposed rule amendment would also change the length and timing of the antlerless deer season as follows:
DMU D1: From seven consecutive days (December 26 – January1) to four days occurring on the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the antlered deer season in Zone D and the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday following December 25. 
DMU D2: From seven consecutive days (December 26 – January 1) to eight days occurring on the first and third weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) of the antlered deer season in Zone D, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday following December 25, and the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of muzzleloading gun season in Zone D.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/28/2014 Vol. 40/41

COMMENTS:

From 2/28/2014 To 3/21/2014 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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