Notice of Proposed Rule

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-15.062: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region and conform to calendar year date changes. The effect of the proposed rule changes will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes and revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows:
Osceola WMA – The proposed rule change would reconfigure the boundaries of the still and dog hunt areas, increase the number of acres of deer-dog hunting by approximately 17,000 acres and increase the number of dog hunt quota permits from 800 to 900. Dog hunters would be required to use designated roads to access the dog hunt area during the fox, deer-dog training and general gun seasons; and possess dogs at the East Tower campground during the general gun season.
Twin Rivers WMA – The proposed rule change would prohibit the taking of hogs with dogs.
Twin Rivers WMA, Blue Springs Unit – The proposed rule change would provide up to 14 days of bird dog training during November and December; establish a special-opportunity quail hunt on up to five Saturdays in January and February with the following hunter quotas: two (2) permits per day, two (2) persons per permit, and a bag limit of 12 quail per permit by special-opportunity quail hunt application. Proposed rules would allow managers to maintain sustainable quail hunting opportunities by annually adjusting harvest pressure via Order of the Executive Director. The number of days open to hunting would be calculated so that not more than 15% of the fall quail population would be taken. In addition, proposed rules would eliminate the restriction of bird dog training hours; allow bird dog training permits to be issued from the Regional Office; require persons participating in bird dog training or special-opportunity quail hunts to enter at a designated entrance; prohibit motorized vehicles except by persons in possession of a valid bird dog training or special-opportunity quail hunt permit and allow shotguns only during the special-opportunity quail hunts.
San Pedro Bay WMA – The proposed rule would eliminate all references to the still hunt area. The landowner is removing that portion from the WMA.
Lower Econfina River WMA – The proposed rule would establish regulations for the new WMA with the following open seasons: 16-day archery, 3-day muzzleloading gun, 42-day small game, 9-day spring turkey, and fishing and frogging throughout the year. It would establish as legal to take all legal game, hogs, fish, frogs and furbearers, no size or bag limit on hogs; quota permits would not be required for any season; fires would be prohibited; motorized vehicles could be operated only on named or numbered roads; east of the Lower Econfina River motorized vehicles would be allowed only during periods open to hunting; ATVs and motorcycles would be prohibited; hunting with bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches would be allowed and hunting hogs with dogs would be prohibited.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, 372.121, 375.313 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, 372.121, 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: During the Commission’s regular meeting, February 7-8, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Destin, Florida 32550
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 calendar 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 by calling (850)488-9542.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Nick Wiley, 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-15.062 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – North Central Region.

(1) Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Archery – September 25-27 26-28 and October 2-4 3-5, only in the still hunt areas.

5. No change.

6. Muzzleloading gun – October 9-11 10-12 and 16-18 17-19, only in the still hunt areas.

7. No change.

8. Trapping – December 1 through January 6 7, only in the still hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 15-23 17-25.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(3) Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 20 21.

2. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10-23 11-24, November 24 25 through December 9 10 and December 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

3. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

5. No change.

6. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(5) Osceola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 14 15.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 19-26 20-27 in the still hunt area and Big Gum Swamp Wilderness only.

6. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – August 4 5 through September 25 26 in the dog hunt portion of the area only from sunset to sunrise.

7. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. The western dog hunt area is within the area created by traversing south on includes that portion of the area bounded on the west by Forest Service Road 237 from its intersection with the north boundary of the Osceola National Forest; on the southeast on by Forest Service Road 263; south on Forest Service Road 234; and County Road 250; east and north on County Road 250 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; north along the east boundary of the West ½ of Section 3, Township 1 South, Range 20 East; west along the Base Line until it intersects Forest Road 24; northwest on Forest Road 24; north on Forest Road 4; east on Forest Road 3 to Eddy Grade; northwesterly on Eddy Grade to State Road 2; northwest on State Road 2; southwest on Forest Service Road 295; west on Forest Service Road 296F; south on Forest Service Road 296C; east and south on Forest Service Road 296E; south on Forest Service Road 295; south on Forest Service Road 297 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest; then due west to the northwest corner of Section 23, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then south along the east side of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East to the southeast corner of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East; then west to the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then north along the west boundary of the East 1/2 of the West 1/2 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the south boundary of Section 20, Township 1 North, Range 19 East; then west along the north boundary of Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 19 East to the Baker County/Columbia County line; then south along the County Line to Forest Road 36; south to Forest Road 46; south on Forest Road 39; west on Forest Road 42 until it becomes Forest Service Road 212; south on Forest Service Road 212; west on Forest Service Road 272; north on Forest Service Road 270 to the Forest Boundary; then west back to the beginning point of Forest Service Road 237. on the east by Forest Service Roads 233, 232, 262, 214, 272 and 270; and on the north by the National Forest Service boundary to the junction with Forest Service Road 237. The eastern dog hunt area includes those lands bounded by the following roads and survey lines: Begin at the intersection of County Road 125 and the northern boundary of the National Forest, proceed south on County Road 125 to the eastern boundary of the National Forest, then south and west along the National Forest boundary to County Road 229, then north along County Roads 229 and 250, then west along Forest Service Road 232, then northwest along Forest Service Road 235 until it becomes Forest Road 39, then generally north along Forest Road 39, then northwest along Forest Road 46, then west along Forest Road 36 to the Baker County/Columbia County line, then north along the west side of Section 31, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, to the northwest corner of Section 30, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, then east along the north boundary of Section 30, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, to the NE corner of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 Section 29, Township 1 North, Range 19 East, then south to the south boundary of Section 29, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, then east to the southeast corner of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, then north along the east side of Section 27, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, to the northwest corner of Section 23, Township 1 South, Range 19 East, then east to Forest Road 5, then northwest along Forest Road 5 until it becomes Forest Service Road 297, then along Forest Service Road 297 to Forest Service Road 295, then northwest and eventually northeast along Forest Service Road 295 to State Road 2, then southeast along State Road 2 to Eddy Grade, then south along Eddy Grade to the junction of Forest Road 3, then west along Forest Road 3, southwest, west, and then south along Forest Road 4, then southeast along Forest Road 24 until it intersects the northern boundary of Section 5, Township 1 South, Range 20 East, then east along the Base Line to the Northeast corner of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 3, Township 1 South, Range 20 East, then south along the east boundary of the West 1/2 of Section 3, Township 1 South, Range 20 East to the southwest corner of the North 1/2 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 10, Township 1 South, Range 20 East, then east back to the beginning point on County Road 125. Except for these areas, the possession or use of dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited. However, leashed or caged dogs may be kept at the East Tower, Sandhill and West Tower hunt camps during the general gun season.

2. Deer dogs may be trained from October 27 28 through November 5 6, except in the still hunt area.

3. No change.

4. In that portion of the western dog hunt area, north of Forest Service Road 262, vehicles shall be restricted to numbered roads from August 1 through January 15. In that portion of the area south of I-10 vehicles shall be restricted to numbered roads year-round. In that portion of the area lying north and northeast of Forest Service Road 200, west of Forest Service Road 255, north of Forest Service Road 232, north of Forest Service Road 212, and north of Forest Service Road 212-A in Baker County; and those lands lying north of Forest Road 36 in Columbia County, vehicles shall be restricted to numbered roads year-round.

5. through 6. No change.

7. During the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat; deer-dog training and general gun seasons, the possession of dogs other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers is prohibited, except on roads adjacent to the dog hunt area, all lands within the dog hunt area and Interstate 10; State Road 2; County Roads 125, 229, 250, 250A, Eddy Grade and Baxter Grade; and Forest Roads 231, 236, 237, 262, 263 and 285. Additionally, any leashed or caged dog may be kept at the East Tower hunt camp during the general gun season. No person shall transport dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, through the still hunt area to the western dog hunt area except on Forest Service Road 285; on Forest Service Road 236 eastward from US 441; on Forest Service Road 263; on Forest Service Road 262 east from US 441; on Forest Service Road 233 north from County Road 250; on Forest Service Road 233 east from US 441 to its juncture with Forest Service Road 237 and then north on Forest Service Road 237 to the boundary of the dog hunt area, and on Forest Service Road 232 west from the east dog hunt area.

8. No change.

(6) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Tide Swamp Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

9. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Spring Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Hickory Mound Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(9) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Jena Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

3. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

4. through 6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Big Bend Wildlife Management Area – Snipe Island Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through December 2 3.

4. Small game – January 5 6 through February 3 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 6 8.

6. Trapping – January 5 6 through March 1.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) No change.

(12) Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. Spring turkey – March 15-23 17-25.

5. No Change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

2. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

(b) through (d) No change.

(14) Andrews Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 5-7 6-8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29 and November 2-4 3-5.

3. General gun – November 16-18 17-19.

4. Small game – January 4-6 5-7, 11-13 12-14 and 18-20 19-21.

5. Family hunt – February 2-3 3-4 and 9-10 10-11.

6. Spring turkey – March 21-23 23-25 and April 11-13 13-15.

7. Supervised deer-hog youth hunt – October 13-14 14-15 and 20-21 21-22.

8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Big Shoals Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 24-29 25-30, October 1-6 2-7 and 8-13 9-14.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29 and November 2-4 3-5.

3. Small game – December 17-22 18-23 and 24-29 25-30.

4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 22-24 and April 10-12 12-14.

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-20 11-21.

4. Small game – December 1-23 2-24.

5. Spring turkey – March 21-23 23-25 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change

(d) General regulations:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Taking of hogs by the use of dogs is prohibited.

(17) Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area – Blue Springs Unit.

(a) Open season: Bird Dog Training – Tuesdays and Thursdays in October.

1. Bird Dog Training – November and December.

2. Special-opportunity quail – Up to five Saturdays of quail hunting may be allowed in January and February, combined.

(b) Legal to take: Quail only. Bag limit during the special-opportunity quail hunt is 12 quail per permit.

(c)(b) Camping: Prohibited during periods open to hunting and by landowner permit during periods closed to hunting.

(d)(c) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. A bird dog training permit from the Executive Director or designee, as provided by Rules 68A-9.007 and 68A-12.007, F.A.C., shall be required of each group entering the area to train bird dogs. A group, for the purpose of bird dog training, may shall include up to four persons and up to six dogs. One permit may be issued per day during the open season, on a first-come first-served basis, until a maximum of 14 permits have been issued.

3. A special-opportunity quail permit, as established annually by Order of the Executive Director or designee, shall be required for each group entering the area to hunt quail. Up to two special-opportunity hunt permits may be issued per day and up to two hunters will be allowed per permit. The number of Saturdays open for quail hunting will be adjusted each year as necessary to achieve a harvest of up to 15% of the fall population, based on an October quail survey. Bird dog training hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

4. Hunters and Ppersons participating in bird dog training or special-opportunity quail hunts shall enter and exit the area only at the designated entrances designated on the current hunt brochure.

5. Bird dog training permits are available first-come, first-served at the Olustee Field Office.

5.6. Motorized vehicles are prohibited except by persons in possession of a valid bird dog training permit or special-opportunity permit, only on days the permit is valid and only in designated parking areas or on named or numbered designated roads.

6.7. The possession of firearms other than blank-firing pistols is prohibited except that blank-firing pistols will be allowed during the bird dog training season; and shotguns will be allowed during the special-opportunity quail season by those persons in possession of a valid special-opportunity quail permit.

7.8. Public access is permitted for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

8.9. Fires are prohibited.

(18) Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8.

2. Supervised small game – October 13-21 14-22, east of Black Creek only.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. General gun – November 10-25 11-26.

5. Small game – January 11 12 through February 10 11, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(19) Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Mobility-impaired general gun – October 12-14 13-15, 26-28 27-29, November 2-4 3-5 and December 14-16 15-17.

2. Mobility-impaired spring turkey – March 21-23 23-25 and April 11-13 13-15.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Goethe Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 14 15.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun (still hunt) – November 10-12 11-13 and 13-15 14-16.

4. General gun (dog hunt) – November 16-18 17-19 and 19-22 20-23.

5. Small game – January 12 13 through February 3 4.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-21 17-23 and March 22-30 24 through April 1.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(21) San Pedro Bay Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

6. through 7. No change.

8. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Deer dogs may be trained north of Camp Jackson Road between the established muzzleloading gun season and general gun season.

2. through 9. No change.

10. The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or waterfowl retrievers, is prohibited south of Camp Jackson Road during open hunting seasons.

(22) Citrus Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – December 15-16 16-17 and January 5-6 6-7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Muzzleloading gun – December 8-9 9-10 and December 29-30 30-31.

4. Archery – November 10 11 through December 2 3.

5. Spring turkey – March 18-20 20-22, April 1-3 3-5 and 15-17 17-19.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 29 30 through October 7 8.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10-18 11-19.

4. Small game – November 23-25 24-26 and December 14-16 15-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(24) Potts Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

2. Archery – October 6-14 7-15.

3. Muzzleloading gun – November 2-4 3-5.

4. General gun hog-dog – November 16-18 17-19.

5. Small game – December 7-9 8-10, January 4-6 5-7, and February 1-3 2-4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(25) Homosassa Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 10 11 through December 2 3 and December 22 23 through January 6 7.

2. General gun hog – February 7-10 8-11 and 21-24 22-25.

3. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 15-21 17-23 and March 29 31 through April 4 6.

4. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(26) Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-25 23-26, September 26-30 27 through October 1 and October 1-7 2-8.

2. Family hunt – October 13-14 14-15 and 20-21 21-22.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

4. General gun – November 10-13 11-14 and 14-18 15-19.

5. Small game – November 24 25 through December 23 24.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20 and 19-23 21-25.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5 (still hunt area only).

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

4. Small game – January 7 8 through February 3 4.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-30 17 through April 1.

6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

8. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Licensed trappers may possess .22 rimfire rifles or pistols from February 4 5 through March 1.

7. No change.

(28) Middle Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(29) Little River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22-24 23-25, September 29 30 through October 1 2 and October 6-8 7-9.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. Small game – December 1-5 2-6 and 22-26 23-27.

4. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(30) Troy Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Small game – November 10 11 through January 6 7, except on Sundays, and only in that portion of the area known as the Adams Tract located northeast of U.S. 27, east and south of County Road 251, and southwest of the Suwannee River.

2. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(31) Bayard Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 7 8 and November 17-25 18-26.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. through 5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(32) Grove Park Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

4. No change.

5. Trapping – December 1 through January 6 7.

6. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(33) Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28 27-29.

3. General gun – November 10 11 through December 2 3.

4. Small game – January 19 20 through February 17 18.

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 6 8.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(34) Nassau Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 10 11 through January 6 7.

2. Small game – January 7 8 through March 2 4.

3. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22.

4. Archery – September 22 23 through October 21 22.

5. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

6. No change.

7. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(35) Cary Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-14 14-15, November 3-4 4-5 and 17-18 18-19, December 8-9 9-10 and 22-23 23-24.

2. Muzzleloading gun – December 29-30 30-31 and January 12-13 13-14.

3. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(36) Ralph E. Simmons Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 17-25 18-26.

2. Archery – September 22-30 23 through October 1.

3. Muzzleloading gun – October 27 28 through November 4 5.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 13-16 14-17.

5. Small game – December 17-30 18-31 and February 2-10 3-11.

6. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(37) Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 22 – October 7.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 26-28.

3. Small game – January 21 – March 2

4. Spring turkey – March 15-23.

5. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hogs, fish, frogs and furbearers. No size or bag limit on hogs.

(c) General regulations:

1. The possession or use of dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of fifteen inches or less is prohibited, except as provided by paragraph 68A-15.004(7)(c) or (d), F.A.C.

2. Hunting hogs with dogs is prohibited.

3. Fires are prohibited.

4. Public access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise.

5. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. The area east of the Lower Econfina River is open for motorized vehicles only during open hunting seasons.

6. Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 372.121, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 372.121, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 2-16-86, 5-7-86, 6-10-86, 11-27-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 8-17-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 2-9-95, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.062, Amended 12-9-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 11-11-01, 6-2-02, 10-16-02, 5-25-03, 7-7-03, 9-29-03, 7-1-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 8-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-2-06, 7-1-07.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Nick Wiley, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mr. Kenneth D. Haddad, Executive Director
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 6, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: November 22, 2006