New Rules for the Ocklawaha Prairie Public Small Game Hunting Area
August 18, 2008
The Ocklawaha Prairie Public Small Game Hunting Area in Marion County has a new permitting process this year. In an effort to provide an equitable hunting opportunity, daily quota permits are limited to five per person per waterfowl season. Additionally, the horsepower limit allowed for boat motors on the area has been raised from 10 to 40 to enable hunters to navigate through vegetation more successfully.Â
“It’s important to create rules and quotas on public lands, such as this one, that allow as many hunters as possible to use the area, without sacrificing hunt quality,” said Jen Williams, hunting coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Northeast Region.
Ocklawaha Prairie Public Small Game Hunting Area is about 2,300 acres, just north of Moss Bluff along the Ocklawaha River and is convenient to Ocala. It is legal to hunt ducks, coots and snipe during the season. Hunters must enter through the check station off 137th Avenue (Old River Road).
For detailed regulations specific to this hunting area, log onto MyFWC.com/hunting/wma/2008-09/Northeast/OcklawahaPrairiePSGHA.pdf.
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Horsepower Limit Raised on Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County
June 17, 2008
COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Ted Strickland signed legislation last week that increased the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County from 9.9 to 20 horsepower. The new rule was part of a comprehensive package of boater safety laws that went into effect on June 13.
Pymatuning Lake’s 14,000 acres of water lie mostly within Pennsylvania, but partially within Ohio. Passage of the new horsepower law ensures continued cooperation between the two states in maintaining the uniform safety and enforcement standards laid out in the Pymatuning Lake Compact. Pennsylvania increased the horsepower limit on its portion of the lake several years ago.
State Representative Deborah Newcomb of Conneaut was a sponsor of the new legislation, saying it will benefit not only the safety of boaters on the lake, but also the economy of far northeast Ohio by increasing the amount of tourist dollars flowing into the area.
“Working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, I concluded that raising the horsepower limit was the best way to increase boater safety and enhance enforcement efforts for watercraft officers on the lake,” Newcomb said.
Pymatuning Lake is a feature of Pymatuning State Park, which is located on the western shoreline. The park offers fishing, camping, hiking, swimming and picnicking in northeast Ohio. The 3,500-acre park is home to 60 standard and family cottages and a campground with more than 700 electric and non-electric campsites. More than 440,000 people visited the park in 2007.
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Governor Ted Strickland Signs Legislation to Enhance Boating Safety on Ohio Waterways
June 13, 2008
COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Ted Strickland today signed legislation to enhance boating safety on Ohio waterways, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
Senate Bill 271, passed by the Ohio General Assembly last month, addresses a diversity of issues across the state. It became effective immediately upon the governor’s signature.
The new legislation creates the following changes in Ohio boating laws:
1) Establishes “failure to control” as an enforceable boat operator rule. Many accidents occur as the result of operator inexperience or the forces of nature. These are not the result of a “rules of the road” violation or caused by reckless operation, but may result in minor property damage or injury.
Examples of situations encompassed by the “failure to control” law include: over-compensation in strong winds or currents, loss of steerage on jet boats when the throttle is released, and attempting to maneuver under sail power alone through congested areas like marinas that may result in an accident.
2) Increases the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in northeastern Ohio to 20 horsepower. Approximately two-thirds of the lake is within the boundaries of Pennsylvania, which passed legislation to allow for the increase several years ago. The aim of this legislation is to remove the confusion surrounding the Pymatuning Lake Compact and improve boater safety.
3) Creates a “no wake zone,” requiring boat operators to reduce their speed when passing a boat actively engaged in providing public service, including law enforcement, fireboats, search and rescue teams, dredges and towing services. This is similar to the law requiring motorists to proceed with caution and change lanes or slow down when approaching a stationary public safety vehicle displaying an emergency light.
4) Permits boaters to “slow tow” ski tubes and other towables in no-wake zones and areas outside of the designated speed and ski zones. Enactment of this provision will create additional recreational opportunities for individuals who are physically unable to manage or do not desire the higher speeds of open zones.
5) Allows children under 10 years of age, who board a watercraft under 18 feet in length, to wear a swimsuit-style life jacket. The children’s Type V personal flotation device was approved by the U.S. Coast Guard several years ago and is designed to be more comfortable and better suited to the activities of children participating in family boating.
6) Allows for the transfer of electronic titles for outboard motors. This provision reduces the time it takes to transfer titles by preventing the need for a watercraft dealer to first issue a physical title.
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