68A-15.065: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast 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 Northeast Region as follows:
Dexter / Mary Farms WMA – decrease the quota from 40 to 30 during archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons.
Guana River WMA – change the bag limit for turkey from one per person to one per quota permit.
Lake Monroe WMA (NEW) – establish a new wildlife management area with the following open seasons: 30-day archery season, 9-day muzzleloading gun season, 58-day general gun season, 56-day small game season, 37-day spring turkey season, statewide migratory bird season (except crow may be taken during the first phase of crow season only); allow fishing and frogging year-round; legal to take shall be all legal game, fish, wild hog, frogs and furbearers; prohibit camping; allow motorized vehicles only in designated parking areas; prohibit use or possession of swamp buggies, track vehicles and all-terrain vehicles; allow hunting with dogs only during the small game and migratory bird seasons and only with bird dogs or retrievers; and prohibit fires.
Richloam WMA / Baird Unit – prohibit hunting with dogs, except bird dogs and retrievers.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT 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 375.313 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution 375.313 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the regular meeting of the Commission, February 4-5, 2009, 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 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 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-15.065 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northeast Region.
(1) Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14-15, 16-18, 19-22 and November 23 8 through January 10 4.
2. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
3. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
4. Archery – September 26-27 and September 28 20 through October 25 19. An archery/muzzleloading gun quota permit will be required for the September 26-27 20-21 hunt.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(2) Ft. McCoy Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14 8 through January 10 4.
2. Small game – January 11-31 5-25.
3. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
4. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.
5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(3) Ocala Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14 8 through January 10 4 (Church Lake Unit – first 9 days only).
2. General gun still – November 28 through December 6 22-30 (Church Lake Unit only).
3. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
4. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26, on the Church Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Lake Delancy Management Units only.
6. Fox, bobcat and raccoon – November 14 8 through April 18 12.
7. No change.
8. Spring turkey – March 25-28 26-29, April 1-4 2-5, 8-11 9-12 and 15-18 16-19.
9. through 10. No change.
(b) Legal to take:
1. No change.
2. Furbearing animals – During the November 14 8 through March 1 period, hunting as specified in paragraph 68A-24.002(2)(b), F.A.C., is permitted only in the Pipeline and Church Lake Management Units. Raccoons may also be hunted, with dogs only, from March 8 2 through April 18 12 only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV and west of S.R. 19. The hunting of fox and bobcat by the use of dogs only shall be permitted from January 11 5 through April 18 12, only in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV, and west of S.R. 19.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 7. No change.
8. Dogs may be used to pursue rabbits from January 11 5 through April 18 12 in that portion of the Pipeline Management Unit south of S.R. 40, east of C.R. 183 AV, and west of S.R. 19.
9. No change.
(e) No change.
(4) Richloam Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14-22 and November 23 8 through January 10 4.
2. Spring turkey – March 20-28 and March 29 21 through April 25 26.
3. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
4. Fishing and frogging – Throughout the year except on the fish hatchery.
5. Trapping – January 11 5 through March 1.
6. General gun hog-dog – January 12-14 6-8.
(b) through (d) No change.
(5) Richloam Wildlife Management Area – Baird Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26-29, September 30 through October 4 and October 5-11 September 20 through October 5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-17 8-11 and 18-22 12-16.
4. General gun hog – January 12-14 6-8.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.
6. Small game – January 16 10 through February 21 15.
7. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that waterfowl retrievers and, bird dogs, and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, may be used during small game season.
2. through 9. No change.
(6) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14-15, 16-18, 19-22 and November 23 8 through January 10 4.
2. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
3. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
4. Archery – September 26-27 and September 28 20 through October 25 19.
5. No change.
6. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
7. General gun for mobility impaired – November 6-8 October 31 through November 2.
8. General gun-dog – December 10-13 4-7 and December 31 through January 3 25-28 in that area between the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 441 only.
9. No change.
(b) through (e) No change.
(7) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area – Prairie Lakes Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 2-4 September 26-28 and October 9-11 3-5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 20-22 14-16 and 27-29 21-23.
4. Small game – December 12 through January 3 6-28.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
6. No change.
7. General gun hog – December 4-6 November 28-30 and January 8-10 2-4.
(b) through (d) No change.
(8) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14-22 and November 23 8 through January 10 4.
2. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
4. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(9) Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area – Rima Ridge Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14-22 8-16.
2. Archery – September 26 20 through October 11 5.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
4. Small game – November 26 20 through January 3 December 28.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(10) Relay Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun – November 14 8 through January 10 4.
2. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.
4. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(11) Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 1-4 September 25-28 and October 8-11 2-5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 15-18 9-12 and 22-25 16-19.
3. General gun – November 19-22 13-16 and 27-29 21-23.
4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
5. General gun hog – January 15-21 9-15 and February 12-18 6-12.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(12) Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 9-11 3-5 and 16-18 10-12.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 through November 1 25-26 and November 7-8 1-2.
3. General gun – November 20-22 14-16.
4. Small game – November 28-29 22-23, 29-30, December 5-6, 12-13 6-7 and January 9-10 3-4.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.
6. General gun hog – January 30-31 and February 1-5 January 24-30.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(13) Jumper Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 18-26 and November 27 8 through January 10 4.
4. Small game – January 11-31 5-25.
5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(14) Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 2-4 September 26-28 and 9-11 October 3-5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 16-18 10-12 and 23-25 17-19.
3. General gun – November 13-15 7-9 and 20-22 14-16.
4. Small game – December 5-6, November 29-30, December 12-13 6-7 and January 9-10 3-4.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(15) Guana River Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. No change.
2. General gun – November 20-22 14-16 and 27-29 21-23.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26 and November 6-8 October 31 through November 2.
4. Archery – October 16-18 10-12 and 23-25 17-19.
5. Small game – December 4-6 November 28-30, 11-13; December 5-7, January 8-10 2-4, 15-17 9-11, 22-24 16-18 and 29-31 23-25.
6. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.
7. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers. One antlered and one antlerless deer may be taken per quota permit during the archery season. One antlered deer may be taken per permit during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons. Taking of antlered deer not having at least one antler with three or more points, one inch or more in length, is prohibited. Only one archery/muzzleloading gun or general gun quota permit may be utilized per person, per hunt. Taking of wild hog during the last two weekends of the small game season is prohibited. Legal shooting hours for ducks and coots: From the beginning of legal shooting hours established pursuant to Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., until noon. Turkey may only be taken during the spring turkey season. Only one turkey may be taken per quota permit.
(c) through (e) No change.
(16) Half Moon Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 9-11 3-5 and 16-18 10-12.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-16 8-10 and 20-22 14-16.
4. Small game – December 4-6 November 28-30, 11-13 December 5-7 and 18-20 12-14.
5. General gun hog – January 16-17 10-11 and 23-24 17-18.
6. Spring turkey – March 26-28 27-29, April 2-4 3-5 and 9-11 10-12.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(17) Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 20-28.
2. Supervised small game – October 10-18 4-12.
3. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
4. General gun – November 14-17 and 18-22 8-16.
5. No change.
6. Small game – November 26 20 through January 10 4 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
8. through 9. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(18) Lake George Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-17, 18-22 and 23-29 8-23.
4. Small game – November 30 24 through March 7 1.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(19) Lake George Wildlife Management Area – Dexter/Mary Farms Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Small game – November 28 22 through December 13 7 and December 26 20 through January 10 4.
2. Special-opportunity turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24.
3. No change.
4. Archery – September 26 20 through October 11 5.
5. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
6. General gun – November 14-22 8-16.
(b) through (e) No change.
(20) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26-29 20-23 and September 30 through October 4 24-28.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – December 5-8 and 9-13 November 29 through December 2 and December 3-7.
4. Small game – January 16-31 10-25 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
6. General gun for mobility-impaired – October 23-25 17-19.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(21) Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. General gun hog – January 29-31 23-25, January 30 through February 5-7, 1 and February 12-14 6-8 and 19-21 13-15.
2. Special-opportunity deer – October 31 through November 6 25-31 and November 14-20 8-14.
3. Small game – November 28 22 through January 24 18.
4. Special-opportunity turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(22) Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 11 5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-17 and 18-22 8-16.
4. No change.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, 26-28 27-29 and April 2-4 3-5.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(23) Little Big Econlockhatchee Wildlife Management Area – Kilbee Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – October 9-11 3-5 and 16-18 10-12.
2. Muzzleloading gun – November 6-8 October 31 through November 2.
3. General gun – November 20-22 14-16.
4. Small game – December 12-27 6-21 (Saturdays and Sundays only).
5. General gun hog – January 15-17 9-11 and 29-31 23-25.
6. No change.
(b) through (c) No change.
(24) Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity turkey – March 25-28 26-29, April 6-9 7-10 and 22-25 23-26.
2. Special-opportunity archery – October 1-4 September 25-28, October 8-11 2-5, 20-23 14-17, November 5-8 October 30 through November 2, November 17-20 11-14, December 3-6 27-30, December 15-18 9-12 and January 7-10 1-4.
3. General gun hog-still – January 15-17 9-11.
4. General gun hog-dog – January 27-29 21-23.
5. Small game – February 5-7 January 30 through February 1 and February 12-14 6-8.
6. through 7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(25) Ross Prairie Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season: Supervised small game – October 17-23 11-17, November 21-27 15-21, December 19-25 13-19 and January 16-22 10-16.
(b) through (d) No change.
(26) Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 22-28 and October 10-16 4-10.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-17 8-11 and 18-22 12-16.
4. Small game – December 5-20 November 29 through December 14.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
6. General gun hog – January 7-10 1-4 and 21-24 15-18.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(27) Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Special-opportunity deer – November 14-20 8-14.
2. Small game – December 12-27 6-21.
3. Special-opportunity turkey – March 20-26 21-27, April 3-9 4-10 and 17-23 18-24.
4. Special-opportunity wild hog – October 9-11 3-5, 16-18 10-12 and 23-25 17-19.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(28) Ocklawaha River Wildlife Management Area – Gores Landing Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 11 5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-22 8-16.
4. Small game – December 5-20 November 29 through December 14.
5. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(29) Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area – Lake Tracy Unit.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26-28 20-22.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-16 8-10.
4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23 and 26-28 27-29.
5. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(30) Twelve Mile Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.
3. General gun – November 14 8 through January 10 4.
4. Small game – January 11 5 through March 7 1.
5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
6. No change.
7. Trapping – January 11 5 through March 1.
(b) through (d) No change.
(31) Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 25 19.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.
3. General gun – November 14 8 through January 24 18.
4. Small game – January 25 19 through March 7 1.
5. Spring turkey – March 20 21 through April 25 26.
6. through 8. No change.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish, and frogs. Antlerless deer may be taken during the period November 21-22 15-16. Turkey of either sex may be taken during the muzzleloading gun season. The period of November 14 8 through January 10 4 is open for bearded turkey only.
(c) No change.
(d) General regulations:
1. through 5. No change.
6. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs may be used during the small game, duck and coot seasons, and dogs may be used for wild hog hunting during the period January 27-31 21-25.
7. through 10. No change.
(32) Dunns Creek Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 20 through October 11 5 and November 21-29 15-23.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 31 25 through November 8 2.
3. Wild hog – January 23-31 17-25.
4. Spring turkey – March 20-22 21-23, April 2-4 3-5 and 16-18 17-19.
5. through 6. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(33) Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 20-28 and October 5-11 September 29 through October 5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. General gun – November 14-17 8-11 and 18-22 12-16.
4. Small game – December 5-20 November 29 through December 14.
5. General gun hog – January 21-24 15-18.
6. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
7. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(34) Matanzas Wildlife Management Area.
(a) Open season:
1. Archery – September 26 through October 4 20-28 and October 5-11 September 29 through October 5.
2. Muzzleloading gun – October 30 through November 1 24-26.
3. Family hunt – November 14-15 8-9.
4. General gun – November 16-22 10-16.
5. General gun hog – December 5-13 November 29 through December 7.
6. Small game – January 11-26 5-20.
7. Spring turkey – March 20-23 21-24 and 24-28 25-29.
8. No change.
(b) through (d) No change.
(35) Lake Monroe.
(a) Open season:
1. Non-migratory game – Zonal seasons established under Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., except that open season for rabbit shall be during the zonal squirrel season only, antlered deer season will open the second Saturday in November and close 57 days thereafter and there shall be no crossbow season.
2. Migratory game birds – Statewide regulations established under Rules 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C., except that open season for crow shall be during the first phase of crow season only.
3. Furbearers – During the zonal antlered deer season only except that bobcat and otter may be taken only after November 30.
4. Fishing and frogging – Allowed year-round.
(b) Legal to take: All legal game, furbearers, fish and frogs. Antlerless deer may only be taken during the archery season.
(c) Camping: Prohibited.
(d) General regulations:
1. The use or possession of swamp buggies, tracked vehicles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. Motorized vehicles are allowed only in designated parking areas.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and retrievers may be used during the small game and migratory game bird seasons.
3. Fires are prohibited.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History– New 6-21-82, Amended 6-29-82, 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 10-1-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 12-19-89, 7-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-2-91, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 12-28-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.065, Amended 12-20-99, 7-1-00, 12-26-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 7-28-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 10-12-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 1-4-06, 7-1-06, 8-22-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09.
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.