27984323, 68A-15.064 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 27984323

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

TYPE I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Overview

RULE:

68A-15.064

Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendment would revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the South Region as follows:

Big Cypress WMA – prohibit the take of raccoon, opossum, skunk, beaver, and armadillo; prohibit the take of deer and extend the small game season by 54 days in the portion of the area south of US 41; establish in rule that the archery season is open in the Deep Lake Unit on dates that correspond to muzzleloading gun season; clarify that dogs may be used for hunting in the Loop Unit; establish an annual bag limit of one antlered deer throughout the area; reduce the number of quota permits during the first 9 days of general gun season in the Turner River Unit from 500 to 250; and establish a quota of 250 during the first 9 days of general gun season in the Corn Dance Unit.
Dinner Island Ranch WMA – prohibit motorized vehicle access from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA – adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Everglades Headwaters WMA, Okeechobee Unit – prohibit fishing.
Fisheating Creek WMA – remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Holey Land WMA – adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
J. W. Corbett WMA – prohibit motorized vehicles on the Florida Trail, except to cross the trail perpendicularly.
Okaloacoochee Slough WMA – increase quota permits for archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons from 145 to 185; increase quota permits for spring turkey season from 55 to 75; increase quota permits for the family hunt from 45 to 65; increase quota permits for the youth turkey hunt from 10 to 20; shift the first archery hunt to begin 7 days earlier and separate the individual archery, general gun, and spring turkey hunts by at least 2 days to allow hunters time to set up and remove hunting equipment between hunts; adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Picayune Strand WMA – allow individuals participating in a hunt to access the area from 3 hours before sunrise until 3 hours after sunset and allow persons with a valid camping permit and their guests to access designated campsites at any time during the dates listed on their permit; and shift the first archery hunt to begin 7 days earlier and separate the individual archery, general gun, and spring turkey hunts by at least 2 days to allow hunters time to set up and remove hunting equipment between hunts.
Rotenberger WMA – adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.
Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA – adjust rule language for the small game season to ensure current season dates are maintained, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season; and remove unnecessary reference to the take of gray squirrel during general gun season, given the proposed expansion of the statewide squirrel season.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment also clarifies existing rules; removes unnecessary, redundant, or conflicting language; corrects prior mistakes; and makes non-substantive, technical corrections.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 375.313, FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/24/2024 Vol. 50/16

COMMENTS:

From 1/24/2024 To 2/14/2024 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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