Notice of Proposed Rule

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-15.063: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest 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 Northwest Region as follows:
Econfina Creek WMA – The proposed rule change would allow hunting on Econfina Road.
Escambia River WMA – The proposed rule change would extend the general gun season from 26 to 58 days by converting the archery/muzzleloading gun season to a general gun season. Note that deer dog hunting is currently allowed during the 26-day general gun season. This change would allow deer dog hunting opportunities for a full 58-day general gun season.
Wakulla WMA – The proposed rule change would realign existing archery/muzzleloading gun hunts to every other weekend instead of consecutive weekends; and provide for the small game season to begin the day after the end of the archery/muzzleloading gun season to run for 28 consecutive days.
Perdido River WMA – The proposed rule would establish regulations for the new WMA with the following open seasons: 30-day archery; 3-day muzzleloading gun; 4-day and 3-day family hunt; 7-day and 9-day general gun; 11-day archery and muzzleloading gun; 30-day small game; 9-day and 14-day spring turkey; migratory game birds during statewide seasons; fishing and frogging – throughout the year. It would establish as legal to take all legal game, hogs, fish, frogs and furbearers with no size or bag limit on hogs, and establish the following hunter quotas: archery – 40 by archery/muzzleloading gun quota application, no exemptions; muzzleloading gun – 40 by archery/muzzleloading gun quota application, no exemptions; family hunt – 20 by family hunt quota application for each hunt, no exemptions; general gun – 40 by general gun quota application for each hunt, no exemptions; archery and muzzleloading gun – 40 by archery/muzzleloading gun application, no exemptions; spring turkey – 15 by spring turkey application for each hunt, no exemptions. It would allow camping at designated sites or by permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District; allow vehicles to be operated only on named or numbered roads; prohibit ATVs; allow hunting with bird dogs and retrievers; allow horses on designated horse trails only; and, prohibit the possession or consumption of intoxicating beverages.
Tate’s Hell WMA – The proposed rule change would allow the use of off-highway vehicles, including ATVs, by permit from the Florida Division of Forestry.
Tyndall AFB WMA – The proposed rule change would prohibit the taking of any antlered deer with less than 3-points on a side, each point 1 inch or more in length; and prohibit the use of handguns, rimfire or centerfire rifles for taking wildlife.
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-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region.

(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through February 10 11 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting in Zones A and B).

2. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

5. through 7. No change.

8. Quail (Zone A) – December 18 19 through January 6 7 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).

9. Spring turkey (Zones B and C) – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

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

4. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

6. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 14-24 15-25.

7. No change.

8. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – October 1 through March 2 4 in that portion of the area in Liberty County lying west of State Road 65 (except in that portion of the area lying north and east of the Florida River and Larkins Slough) and in that portion in Leon County and Wakulla County south of State Road 267 bounded on the east by Forest Roads 313, F.H. 13 and 356, on the south by Forest Roads 349 and 357, on the west by Forest Roads 348 and F.H. 13, 309, 314, and 344. No guns may be used prior to November 22 23.

9. Trapping – January 31 February 1 through March 1.

10. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 22-25 23-26 and from December 8-19 9-20. Hog may be taken only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, archery and muzzleloading and small game seasons. No size or bag limit on hog.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. No change.

2. Bird dogs may be trained from June 1 through March 2 4. Deer dogs may be trained from October 27 28 through November 15 16 in that portion of the area open to hunting fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcats.

3. No change.

4. During the November 10 11 through March 2 4 period, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is permitted.

5. through 9. No change.

(3) Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area – Bradwell Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8-12 9-13.

2. Archery – October 13-19 and 20-28 14-29.

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

4. Small game – November 10-15 11-16 and 19-21 20-22.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-16 17-18 and March 28-30 March 30 through April 1.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(4) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons in the still hunt area (which includes that portion of the area south of Highway 4 except for the field trial area and that portion of the area north of State Road 4 except for the dog hunt area):

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

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

4. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

6. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 14-24 15-25.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the dog hunt area (which includes that portion of the area north of State Road 4 and west of Three Notch Road, east of Mason West Road, and north of Camp Henderson Road; and that portion of the area north of State Road 4, west of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road, and east of Belandville Road; and that portion of the area north of Break Fork Fire Line, north of Eadie Cotton Road and Peaden Bridge Road, west of Sherman Kennedy Road, south of Mattie Kennedy Road and Kennedy Bridge Road, west of Bullard Church Road, and east of Beaver Creek Highway and Hurricane Lake Road):

1. General gun dog – November 22-25 23-26, December 8-23 9-24, and January 7 8 through January 30 31.

2. General gun still – December 24 25 through January 6 7.

3. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

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

5. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

6. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

7. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 14-24 15-25.

8. Fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat – May 1 through March 9 11, in that portion of the dog hunt area east of Belandville Road.

9. through 11. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the field trial area (which includes that portion of the area bounded by Coldwater Creek on the northwest, the western boundary of Blackwater State Forest to the west and south, State Road 191 on the southeast, and on a line running west 3/4 mile from the intersection of State Road 191 and Forest Road 64 (Spanish Trail), then north one mile and then three miles west to Coldwater Creek at a point 1/2 mile northeast of the Coldwater Recreation Area:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun and archery – January 18-20 19-21

3. through 4. No change.

5. Quail – February 4-7 5-8 and February 18-21 19-22.

6. No change.

(d) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. During the January 18-20 19-21 archery/muzzleloading gun season on the field trial portion of the area any deer (daily bag limit one) except spotted fawns may be taken. No size or bag limit on hog. Taking quail is prohibited on the field trial area except during the quail season. The bag limit for quail on the field trial area is 12 per hunting group each day. A group for the purpose of quail hunting on the field trial area shall include up to 2 persons. Taking quail after 3:00 p.m. Central Time is prohibited during the quail season on the field trial area.

(e) through (f) No change.

(5) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Hutton Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-16 and 17-21 14-22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. Quail – November 10-11 11-12, 21-22 22-23, December 1-2 2-3, 10-11 11-12, 15-16 16-17, 24-25 25-26 and December 29-30 30-31.

4. General gun – January 12-15 and 16-20 13-21.

5. Mobility-impaired general gun – January 25-27 26-28 and February 1-3 2-4.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, March 28-30 March 30 through April 1, and April 11-13 13-15.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(6) Blackwater Wildlife Management Area – Carr Unit.

(a) Open season: Quail: November 10-16 11-17, 17-23 18-24, November 24-30 November 25 through December 1, December 1-7 2-8, 8-14 9-15, 15-21 16-22, 22-28 23-29, December 29 30 through January 4 5, January 5-11 6-12, 12-18 13-19, 19-25 20-26, January 26 27 through February 1 2, February 2-8 3-9, 9-15 10-16, 16-22 17-23 and 23-29 February 24 through March 2.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. A special-opportunity quail hunt permit (no exemptions) as provided in Rule 68A-9.007, F.A.C., shall be required for each group entering the area to release or take quail.

2. through 8. No change.

(7) Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – December 7 8 through January 6 7 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 11-27 12-28 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – October 6 7 through December 2 3 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

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

4. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24 15-25.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. Bearded turkeys or gobblers may be taken from November 22-25 23-26 and from December 8-19 9-20. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited.

(c) through (d) No change.

(9) Blue Water Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – February 16 17 through March 2 4 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

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

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 31 through February 13 February 1-14.

6. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(10) Point Washington Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

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

4. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

5. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

6. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24 15-25.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Talquin Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 23-25 24-26 and December 8-30 9-31 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 4 5 through March 2 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. through 6. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Hunters shall check in and out at the check station on December 31 and check all game taken.

(12) Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 23-25 24-26 and December 8-30 9-31 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Small game – January 4 5 through March 2 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(13) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

2. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

3. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

4. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

5. Muzzleloading gun and archery – February 14-24 15-25.

6. through 8. No change.

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

10. through 11. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. Deer dogs may be trained from October 27 28 through November 15 16.

2. No change.

3. Vehicles may be operated only on designated roads. Off-Highway Vehicles (all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles) are prohibited except by permit from the Division of Forestry may be operated on designated off-highway vehicle trails only. Airboats and tracked vehicles are prohibited.

4. through 5. No change.

(14) Tate’s Hell Wildlife Management Area – Womack Creek Unit.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-21 14-22.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8, December 17-22 18-23 and January 5-30 6-31.

4. General gun still – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8-16 9-17.

5. through 6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20, March 27-30 March 29 through April 1 and April 3-6 5-8.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(15) Aucilla 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 26-28 27-29.

6. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – January 7 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(16) Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

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

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

3. Small game – January 21 8 through March 2 4.

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

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

6. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – January 21 8 through March 1.

(b) through (d) No change.

(17) Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-28 14-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26, January 19-22 20-23 and January 23-27 24-28.

4. Small game – December 1-31 2-31.

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

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(18) Eglin AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19 in areas specified by the Installation Commander.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26, December 8 9 through February 3 4 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 4-24 5-25 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

5. Small game – November 10 11 through March 2 4 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

6. No change.

7. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 in areas and during days specified by the Installation Commander.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. During November 10 11 through March 2 4, hunting as specified by paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is permitted.

7. through 10. No change.

(19) Escambia River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 through January 30 December 9-31.

2. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

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

4. Archery and muzzleloading gun – January 1-31 and February 14-24 15-25.

5. Small game – November 10-21 11-12, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 1 through March 2 4.

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(20) Tyndall AFB Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through February 13 14 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

4. Supervised youth – November 17-18 18-19, December 1-2 2-3 and 15-16 16-17 (only in areas designated by the Installation Commander).

5. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

6. Small game – November 10 11 through March 2 4 during days specified by the Installation Commander.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) Legal to take: All legal game, hog, fish, frogs and furbearers. The taking of any deer not having at least one antler with three or more points (each point one-inch in length or more) is prohibited in areas specified by the Installation Commander. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one forked antler and having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length visible above the hairline is prohibited. Antler restrictions shall not apply during the supervised youth hunt. Antlerless deer may be taken during established seasons by permit from the Installation Commander. No size or bag limit on hog.

(c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 3. No change.

4. The use of handguns, rimfire and centerfire rifles are prohibited for taking wildlife.

(21) Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun– November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31 except Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island.

4. Small game – November 10-21 11-22, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 31 through March 2 February 1 through March 4.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24 15-25. Holmes Creek Unit and East River Island November 22-25 23-26, December 8 9 through January 30 31 and February 14-24 15-25.

6. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 only in that portion of the area south of the pipeline right-of-way located up river (north) of Cedar Log Landing (Walton County) and Billy Lee Landing (Washington County). March 15-17 17-19 in that portion of the area north of the pipeline right-of-way.

7. through 8. No change.

9. Trapping – December 1 through March 1 in still hunt areas and January 31 February 1 through March 1 in dog hunt areas.

(b) through (d) No change.

(22) Upper Chipola River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 1.

4. Small game – November 10-21 11-12, November 26 27 through December 7 8 and January 2 through March 2 4.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 16-17 17-18 and 23-24 24-25.

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(23) Yellow River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open seasons except in the Grassy Point area:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

4. Small game – November 10-21, November 26 through December 7 and January 31 through March 2 November 11 through March 4.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24 15-25.

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

7. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the Grassy Point area (the area south of Weaver River):

1. General gun – November 22-25, January 19-22 and 23-27 November 23-26 and January 20-28.

2. Archery – October 13-19 and 20-28 14-29.

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

4. Spring turkey – March 15-16 17-18, March 29-30 March 31 through April 1 and April 12-13 14-15.

5. Small game – November 10-15 11-16 and 19-21 20-22.

6. No change.

(c) through (e) No change.

(24) Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season except in the mobility-impaired, Cat Creek, and Fitzhugh Carter areas.

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26 and December 8 9 through January 30 31.

4. Small game – November 10-21, November 26 through December 7 and January 31 through March 2 November 11 through March 4.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24 15-25.

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

7. Raccoon – November 10 11 through March 14 16 and April 21 23 through July 31.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) Open seasons in the mobility-impaired hunt area (area south of County Road 388):

1. General gun – November 23-25 24-26, January 11-13 12-14, 18-20 19-21, 25-27 26-28 and January 30 31 through February 1 2.

2. Spring turkey – March 15-16 17-18, 21-23 23-25, March 28-30 March 30 through April 1, April 4-6 6-8, 11-13 13-15 and 18-20 20-22.

3. No change.

(c) Open seasons in the Cat Creek (area south of State Road 20 and north of County Road 388) and Fitzhugh Carter (area west of State Road 77) areas:

1. Archery – October 13-28 14-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17-19.

3. General gun – November 22-25 23-26, January 19-22 20-23 and 23-27 24-28.

4. Small game – December 1-16 2-17.

5. Spring turkey – March 15-17 17-19, March 28-30 March 30 through April 1 and April 11-13 13-15.

6. through 7. No change.

(d) through (e) No change.

(f) General regulations:

1. through 5. No change.

6. Taking of wildlife by use of a gun on or from rights-of-way of Thomas Road, Rattlesnake Road, Strickland Road, Porter Pond Road, Duma Jack/Deadening Road, Econfina Road, Greenhead Road, Hampshire Boulevard, Cat Creek Road, Enfinger Road, S.R. 20, or C.R. 388 is prohibited.

7. through 10. No change.

(25) Box-R Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-19 14-20 and 20-28 21-29.

2. Small game – November 10-15 11-16.

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

4. General gun – November 22-25 23-26, January 3-6 4-7, 10-13 11-14 and 17-20 18-21.

5. Hog – December 1-7 2-8.

6. Spring turkey – March 15-18 17-20, March 27-30 March 29 through April 1 and April 10-13 12-15.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access other than on foot (pedestrian), horseback (equestrian), or by bicycle is prohibited except that motorized vehicles may be used on Pine Log Bluff Road and one day immediately prior to each hunt.

4. through 8. No change.

9. Taking or attempting to take wildlife by use of a gun on or from the rights-of-way of County Road 385, County Road 384, Moses Road, Teat Road, or Pine Log Bluff Road is prohibited.

10. No change.

(26) Lafayette Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13-19 14–20 and 20-28 21-29.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18 17–19.

3. Family hunt – November 22-25 23–26.

4. General gun – January 19-22 20–23 and 23-27 24–28.

5. Small game – November 30 through January 13 December 1 through January 14 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

6. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(27) Wakulla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 14 through November 11 12 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

2. Archery and muzzleloading gun – November 23-25, December 8-9, 21-23, January 4-6 and 18-20 November 24-26 and December 9-31 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

3. Small game – January 21 through February 17 January 5 through March 4 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).

4. Spring turkey – March 15 17 through April 20 22 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

5. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(28) Perdido River Wildlife Management Area

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – October 13 through November 11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – November 16-18.

3. Family hunt – November 22-25 and January 4-6.

4. General gun – January 12-18 and 19-27.

5. Archery and muzzleloading gun – February 14-24.

6. Small game – December 1-30.

7. Spring turkey – March 15-23 and March 24 through April 6.

6. Migratory game birds – Migratory game birds during seasons established by Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

7. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year.

8. Trapping – Prohibited.

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

(c) Camping: Prohibited, except at designated campsites or by permit from Northwest Florida Water Management District.

(d) General regulations:

1. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.

2. ATVs are prohibited.

3. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited.

4. Horses are allowed on designated horse trails only.

5. The possession or consumption of intoxicating beverages is prohibited.

6. During the family hunts, one or two persons per hunt permit under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age may hunt as provided in Section 790.22, F.S. These persons must be under the supervision and in the presence of one adult not younger than 18 years of age. The adult may only hunt when in the presence of at least one person under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age.

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, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 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