Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68A - Freshwater Fish and Wildlife › Chapter 68A-12 - RULES RELATING TO GAME › Section 68A-12.010 - Regulations Governing the Operation of Private Hunting Preserves

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) No entity shall establish, maintain, or
				operate a commercial or private hunting preserve to allow the release, sale
				and/or taking of captive-raised native and non-native game animals, as
				specified herein, unless licensed pursuant to Section
				379.3712, F.S. No commercial or
				private hunting preserve license shall be issued until the premises of such
				preserve has been inspected by a representative of the Commission and the
				requirements of this rule have been met. Licensees must ensure all captive
				wildlife contained on the licensed property is lawfully removed or transferred
				prior to dissolution of the preserve. Any person selling game animals from a
				hunt preserve shall comply with Rule
				68A-12.011, F.A.C. In addition,
				any person selling or conducting intrastate transfer of deer, elk, or other
				members of the family Cervidae shall comply with Rule
				68A-4.0051, F.A.C., regarding
				transportation and record keeping requirements.
(2) Definitions: For the purposes of this
				rule, the following shall be defined as:
(a)
				Commercial hunting preserve - a preserve operated exclusively for commercial
				purposes, which is open to the public, for which a uniform fee is charged to
				patrons for hunting privileges. Hunters taking any game on a licensed
				commercial hunting preserve shall be exempt from licensure requirements,
				pursuant to Section 379.3712(2),
				F.S.
(b) Employee - any person
				working under a permit or license holder or at a licensed or permitted
				facility, whether paid or unpaid.
(c) Herbaceous vegetation - predominantly
				grasses, grass-like plants, or forbs capable of being grazed.
(d) Nest box or den - an enclosed shelter
				that provides a retreat area within, attached to, or adjacent to a cage or
				enclosure of specified size, which shall provide protection from the elements
				and from extremes in temperature that are detrimental to the health and welfare
				of the animal.
(e) Paddocks -
				open-air areas enclosed by fencing, railing or other Commission-approved
				structures which allows animals to graze and/or browse.
(f) Predator barrier - supplemental materials
				added to the exterior of approved fencing to prevent entry of predators.
				Barrier may include but is not limited to, buried fence wire, electrified fence
				wire, gravel, rocks, concrete, or other natural/manmade materials.
(g) Private hunting preserve - a preserve
				operated for both commercial and private purposes. Anyone hunting on the
				preserve shall have all appropriate hunting licenses and any applicable
				endorsements, as provided in Section
				379.354, F.S.
(h) Preserve - refers to both commercial
				hunting preserves and private hunting preserves.
(i) Refusal - when a licensee, applicant or
				employee intentionally denies access by Commission personnel to the facility,
				inventory or facility's records for the purposes of inspection, or directs
				another to deny such access.
(j)
				Tame game mammal - does not exhibit the flight characteristics or normal
				behavioral characteristics for the species when found in the wild.
(k) Tolling - to lead animals outside of an
				enclosure using a trail of bait.
(l) Woody vegetation - Perennial trees,
				shrubs, or woody vines that persists above ground all year
				long.