68A-13.004: Open Season for Taking and Bag Limits for Non-Migratory Game and Issuance of Antlerless Deer Permits
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to change the opening of gray squirrel season from the second Saturday in November to the second Saturday in October and specify the closing as the first Sunday in March. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to increase the gray squirrel season by up to 35 days depending on the calendar year, and enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would allow the open season for the taking of gray squirrels to begin 28 or 35 days earlier depending on calendar year and maintain a comparable ending date.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.
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: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, June 27-28, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: PGA National Resort & Spa, 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
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-13.004 Open Season for Taking and Bag Limits for Non-Migratory Game and Issuance of Antlerless Deer Permits.
The open season and bag limits for non-migratory game shall be as follows unless otherwise amended by the Commission, provided that regulations for hunting on wildlife management areas shall be as established by specific rule.
(1) No change.
(2) Open seasons:
(a) through (d) No change.
(e) Gray squirrel: Opening the second Saturday of October November and closing the first Sunday in March 113 days thereafter. Opening October 1 and closing March 31 for falconry.
No open season on fox squirrels.
(f) through (h) No change.
(3) No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING COMMISSION ACTION
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 5-19-80, 6-4-81, 6-21-82, 7-1-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-13.04, Amended 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-96, 10-28-97, 4-27-98, 12-28-98, Formerly 39-13.004, Amended 7-1-01, 5-13-02, 10-16-02, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 7-1-10, 1-1-11, _________.
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.