Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ROTENBERGER
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
1999-2000
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONAL AREA
STATE OF FLORIDA
PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
An Equal Opportunity Agency
This brochure is designed to provide the public with
information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting
and other recreational use on the Rotenberger Wildlife Management
Area. To make it easier to learn about regulation changes
on this area, regulations that are new or differ substantially
from last year are shown in bold print. For the exact
wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife code on file with
the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure and the
quota hunt application forms should provide the information
necessary for you to plan your hunting activities.
For information pertaining to hunting on private lands and
trapping, consult the current Florida Hunting Handbook. This
publication is available from any Commission office as well as
county tax collectors and their subagents.
PERMIT, STAMP AND LICENSE INFORMATION:
Persons utilizing the wildlife management areas are required to
have appropriate licenses, stamps and permits. Florida residents
who are 65 years of age or older, and residents certified totally
and permanently disabled as determined by a licensed Florida
physician, Armed Forces or Veterans Administration, may obtain
exemption certificates for most licenses, stamps and permits from
the county tax collector. Hunters under age 16 and Florida
residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida and
home on leave with orders in possession, are exempt from most
permit, stamp and license requirements on this area.
Hunting License, Trapping License, Fishing License and Archery,
Muzzleloading Gun, Wildlife Management Area, Wild Turkey and
State Waterfowl permits may be purchased from county tax
collectors, their subagents, or by telephone.
Unless exempted, all hunters on this wildlife management area
must have the following in their possession and display them upon
request of any Commission employee:
1. Hunting License: Information on the categories and costs of
hunting licenses is available in the Florida Hunting Handbook.
2. Wildlife Management Area Permit: This $25 permit is required
to hunt on this area.
3. General Gun-Vehicle Quota Permit: Required of vehicle
operators during the general gun-vehicle season. General
gun-vehicle quota permits are available at no charge. General
gun-vehicle quota permit applications are available at regional
offices of the Commission on or about June 28.
To apply for this permit obtain a general gun-vehicle quota
permit application and follow the printed instructions.
Transfer of Permits: Rotenberger general gun-vehicle permits and
deer tags are not transferable. The sale or purchase of any quota
hunt permit is prohibited.
4. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during
the archery hunt.
5. Muzzleloading Gun Permit: This $5 permit is required when
hunting during the muzzleloading gun hunt.
6. State Waterfowl Permit: This $3 permit is required while
hunting ducks.
7. Federal Duck Stamp: Any hunter 16 years of age or older must
possess a federal duck stamp while hunting ducks. This $15 stamp
is available at post offices.
8. Migratory Bird Permit: This free permit is required when
hunting migratory game birds.
9. Off-road Vehicle Registration: Any vehicle used on the area
must have a current license plate or off-road vehicle
registration decal and validation sticker. Applications for an
off-road vehicle registration decal are available at regional
offices of the Commission. The registration decal costs $10 and
must be renewed annually.
BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
1. Deer--One during the archery hunt, one during the
muzzleloading gun, one during the general gun-walk and one per
tag during the general gun-vehicle hunts.
2. Hog--One per day, two per year (all hunts combined). Only one
hog per day per vehicle may be taken during general gun-vehicle
season.
3. Gray squirrel, quail, rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession limit
24 for each game species.
4. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and
nutria--No bag limits.
5. Migratory game birds--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting
Regulations pamphlet.
GENERAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA REGULATIONS:
In addition to the regulations which follow, all general laws and
regulations relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic
life shall apply unless specifically excepted for this wildlife
management area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on
this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in
the manner set forth herein.
1. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree in
which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
2. No person shall cut or destroy any tree or remove any tree,
shrub or protected plant (as listed in F.S. 581.185) from any
wildlife management area without written permission from the
landowner or primary land manager.
3. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
4. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse
or in any way litter in the management area. This includes
dumping or draining refuse or wastes from any trailer or vehicle.
5. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
6. Fires other than camp fires are prohibited.
7. Non-migratory game may be hunted from one-half hour before
sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
8. The head and evidence of sex may not be removed from the
carcass of any deer or turkey on the area. Portions of the
carcass may be removed immediately prior to cooking.
9. No person shall release any wildlife on this wildlife
management area.
10. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other
food for wildlife on this wildlife management area.
11. Killing swimming deer is prohibited.
12. The taking of fox is prohibited.
13. The use of live decoys, traps, snares, nets or recorded game
calls is prohibited.
14. Hunting, trapping or the possession of dogs is prohibited in
areas posted as "CLOSED."
15. Persons may enter and exit the area from the L-4, Powerline,
Miami Canal and Manley Ditch levees only.
16. During the general gun-vehicle season, deer must be tagged
immediately with a non-reusable game tag provided by the
Commission.
17. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person
hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight
fluorescent-orange material above the waistline as an outer
garment. This is not required when hunting during an archery-only
season.
18. Deer may be dismembered in the field or camp, but each
portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name,
address and hunting license number of the person who killed it;
the date and location at which it was taken; and shall be readily
traceable to the portion of the animal bearing the sex
identification.
GUNS OR DOGS:
19. Hunting with dogs is permitted only during the general
gun-vehicle season. Waterfowl retrievers may be used during the
established duck and coot and snipe seasons.
20. Possession or use of rifles or pistols is prohibited after
the general gun-vehicle hunt.
21. Hunting with a gun and light is prohibited.
22. For taking non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles,
pistols, longbows (including compound and recurved bows),
crossbows (during the general gun hunt only) or birds of prey may
be used.
23. For hunting deer, muzzleloading guns firing a single bullet
must be at least .40 caliber; those firing two or more balls must
be 20 gauge or larger.
24. Hunting deer with full-jacketed bullets or any rimfire
cartridge is prohibited.
25. Fully automatic firearms, silencer-equipped firearms,
centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capable of
holding more than five rounds, explosive or drug-injecting
devices, or setguns are prohibited.
26. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
27. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a
firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
28. The display or use of a gun on or upon the L-4, Powerline,
Manley Ditch or Miami Canal levees in a manner capable of taking
wildlife is prohibited.
29. The possession of any firearm containing shells or cartridges
or any capped or primed muzzleloading gun is prohibited at check
stations and public campsites. The discharge of guns is
prohibited on, from or across any campsite, check station, levee
or improved road.
30. Guns or dogs are prohibited on areas posted as
"CLOSED."
31. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest wildlife
during any period in which hunting with dogs is prohibited.
32. No person shall possess any dog during any period in which
hunting with dogs is prohibited, unless the dog is a non-hunting
breed and kept restrained.
33. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.
34. Authorized hunting equipment or dogs may be taken onto the
area after 8 a.m. one day before the opening of the hunt and
shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day after the
hunt.
VEHICLES:
35. During the archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun-walk
seasons, only ATVs with an engine displacement not exceeding 450
cc are permitted on designated trails. No person shall hunt from
or occupy any ATV in motion with handlebars, platform or
structure more than 4 feet above the lowest bottom surface of the
ATV. Other vehicles including airboats are prohibited except on
levees.
36. Any vehicle used on the area must have a current license tag
or an off-road vehicle registration decal and validation sticker.
37. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct
roads, gates or trails.
38. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle,
aircraft or boat while under power is prohibited.
39. The use or presence of vehicles on wildlife islands, tree
islands or tree strands is prohibited.
40. Vehicles are prohibited in the area from the close of the
established duck and coot season through April 30. Airboats are
allowed during this time.
41. No person shall operate any vessel, including airboats,
outside of Water Management District Canals unless it is equipped
with an orange flag at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches long
and displayed at a minimum height of 10 feet above the bottom of
the vessel.
42. No motor vehicle shall be operated on any part of the
wildlife management area designated as "CLOSED" by
administrative action and posted notice of such because of
inclement weather, poor road conditions, construction, management
activities or wildlife surveys.
CAMPING:
43. Camping is permitted only on the Miami Canal, Manley Ditch
and Powerline levees.
44. Only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles may
be used for camping. Camps may not be set up in the area prior to
seven days before archery season and all vehicles, camps, tents
and other camping equipment and litter must be removed no later
than 6 p.m. seven days after the close of the general gun-vehicle
season. The erection of any permanent structure is prohibited.
Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers, unless contained in
mobile campers, lumber, sheet metal or other building materials
is prohibited.
45. Camping during the period from 8 days following the close of
the general gun season to 8 days prior to the archery season is
permitted but only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and camps
may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours during this
period.
46. The construction of docks of any type is prohibited.
CHECK STATIONS:
47. All hunters shall check out at a check station and record
their game harvest. Please refer to map for location of
self-check station boxes.
SEARCH:
48. A wildlife officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat when
he or she reasonably believes a violation has been committed.
ARCHERY:
August 28 through September 19.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, archery permit; state waterfowl permit,
federal waterfowl stamp, and migratory bird permit (if hunting
ducks).
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
opossum, raccoon, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria and
ducks in season.
Regulations Unique to the Archery Hunt--In addition to these
regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
shall apply.
1. Possession or use of firearms or crossbows while archery
hunting is prohibited.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited except that retrievers are
permitted during the early duck season.
3. Centerfire shotguns are permitted on the area for hunting
migratory game birds when one or more of these species are legal
to take (see Migratory Game Bird section and the current
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet).
MUZZLELOADING GUN:
October 2 through 17.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit and muzzleloading gun permit.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk and nutria.
Regulations Unique to the Muzzleloading Gun Hunt--In addition to
these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply.
1. Only muzzleloading guns are allowed.
2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited.
GENERAL GUN-WALK:
October 23 through 31.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license and
wildlife management area permit.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk and nutria.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun-Walk Hunt--In addition to
these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply and hunting with dogs is prohibited.
GENERAL GUN-VEHICLE:
November 6 through 21, by quota
permit only.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal
waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if
hunting migratory game birds). Vehicle operators must have a
general gun-vehicle permit.
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline under permit only and
antlerless deer under permit only, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
raccoon, opossum, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria, and
duck, coot, and snipe in season.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun-Vehicle Hunt--In addition
to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply.
1. The area is closed to all vehicles and airboats except those
authorized by general gun-vehicle permit.
2. Hunting with dogs is permitted.
3. The area is closed to walk-hunting.
4. Deer must be tagged immediately with a non-reusable game tag
provided by the Commission.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS:
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal
waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), and migratory bird permit.
Legal to Take--Ducks, coots, and snipe may be hunted during
seasons established by the Commission for these species.
Regulations Unique to Migratory Game Birds--See Migratory Game
Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet. In addition to these
regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
shall apply and the use of lead shot for taking ducks and coots
is prohibited.
FISHING AND FROGGING:
Permitted throughout the year.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Fishing license (required
for fishing only).
Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging--All General Wildlife
Management Area and state fishing regulations shall apply.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ARE NOT JUST FOR HUNTING AND
FISHING!
They have been purchased for preservation to benefit all of
Florida's residents and you don't have to hunt or fish to enjoy
them! The same habitat management practices that provide prime
hunting and fishing opportunities also create opportunities for
wildlife viewing. These areas provide a range of opportunities,
from scenic driving routes, to rugged hiking adventures. See the
natural Florida that we have protected through acquisition and
careful management.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a
Commission-approved hunter safety course prior to being issued a
hunting license.
2. If you have any questions about this material, please call the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (561)
625-5122 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.
COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not discharge firearms at anything other than legal
game while in a wildlife management area. Target practice and
random discharge of firearms have become increasing threats to
the quality of the hunting experience.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE TRASH OUT WITH YOU.
In recent years, unauthorized and uncontrolled fires have
caused severe damage to area wildlife and wildlife habitats.
Controlled fires are beneficial only when they are of the proper
size and location, and when area conditions are suitable.
UNCONTROLLED FIRES DO NOT BENEFIT WILDLIFE. Please use caution
with campfires, smoking materials and vehicles to prevent damage
to wildlife habitats.
The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination
on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or
handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against
in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if
you desire further information, please write to: The Office for
Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.
The project described in this publication is part of a
program funded by federal dollars under the Wildlife Restoration
Act. Federal funds pay $1,827,066 or 31 percent of the cost of
the program.