Northwest Region Wildlife
Management Areas
2002-2003 WMA Forecasts
Hunting | Northeast | North Central | Northwest | South | Southwest
Contact: Division of Wildlife (850) 265-3677
Apalachee Wildlife Management Area: (7,952 acres in Jackson
County)
Habitat: Zone A is about 6,000 acres and the larger of the two areas that make
up this area. It's primarily agricultural fields, thick bottoms and open stands
of pines. Zones B and C are roughly 2,000 acres in size and are river bottom
flood plain forest. Deer Hunting, Good; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Good; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting, No; Quail, Dec. 24 to Jan. 12
on Tues., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. in Zone A only; Camping, No; Dogs, Not allowed
in Zones A & B except bird dogs and retrievers; ATVs, Only on named/numbered
roads; Fishing and Frogging, Throughout the year; Trapping, Prohibited; Dove
hunting is sometimes good during the first phase of dove season on the agricultural
fields. Some of the biggest deer in the state come from Apalachee, particularly
Zone A.
Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area: (559,465 acres
in Franklin, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties)
Habitat: national forest with longleaf pines, open understory with some stands
of oaks and other hardwoods and ti-ti bottoms. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting,
Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting,
Fair in spring; Camping, Designated campsites only during the general gun season;
Dogs, Yes; ATVs, Yes; Fishing and Frogging throughout the year; Trapping, From
Feb. 6 to March 1. Almost all hunters who travel to the area in the fall are
there to deer hunt. The vast majority of the area is open to the use of free
running dogs, with the exception of an area along S.R. 375. One thing deer hunters
love about Apalachicola is the abundance of camping areas maintained by the
U.S. Forest Service. Two sections of the area that are off-limits to vehicles
are Bradwell Bay Wilderness and another parcel near the Tallahassee Airport.
Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area - Bradwell Unit:
(1,420 acres in Liberty County)
Habitat: pines and some oaks along the Ochlockonee River. Deer Hunting, Good;
Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Good; Turkey
Hunting, Fair; Camping, No; Dogs, No; ATVs, Contact the U.S. Forest Service;
Fishing and Frogging, Allowed throughout the year; Trapping, Prohibited; This
area requires either a special or regular quota hunt permit, with the exception
of the small game season.
Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area: (60,932
acres in Franklin and Gulf counties)
Habitat: marsh and river floodplain forests of bays, hickories, oaks and wild
pecans on the lower Apalachicola River. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Fair;
Migratory Bird Hunting, Good; Small Game Hunting, Excellent; Turkey Hunting,
Fair; Camping, Yes; Dogs, Yes; ATVs, Yes, On named or numbered roads only; Fishing
and Frogging, Permitted throughout the year; Trapping, Dec. 1 to March 1. Access
can be difficult, depending on your hunting location. Many hunters use boats
to reach their intended locations. There is some driving access off S.R. 65.
Aucilla Wildlife Management Area: (45,665 acres in Jefferson
and Taylor counties)
Habitat: river floodplain habitat especially along the Wacissa and Aucilla rivers.
On the west side of the area there is extensive stands of pines. Deer Hunting,
Good; Hog Hunting, Good; Migratory Bird Hunting, Fair; Small Game Hunting, Good;
Turkey Hunting, Good; Camping, No; Dogs, Yes; ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging,
Throughout the year; Trapping, Jan. 6 to March 1. Hunters generally hunt this
area for two species, namely white-tailed deer and gray squirrels. Squirrel
hunters can get their bag limit of 12 without too much difficulty along the
river corridors.
Blackwater Wildlife Management Area: (186,475 acres in
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties)
Habitat: state forest with rolling hills with longleaf pines, oak ridges and
ti-ti creek bottoms. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Fair; Small Game Hunting, Good; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, Designated sites
only; Dogs, Yes; ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging throughout the year; Trapping,
Prohibited. Hunters travel to Blackwater to hunt either quail or deer. The Florida
Division of Forestry uses fire on the area as a management tool and the by-product
is improved habitat for a multitude of wildlife species. Quail hunters enjoy
the more open aspect and being able to work their dogs. Due to loss of other
hunting areas close by, quota permits are required during the much of the season.
Consult WMA regulations for the area. Deer can be hunted with free-running dogs
only in the northern section of the area; the remainder of Blackwater is open
to still-hunting.
Blackwater Wildlife Management Area - Carr Unit: (590
acres in Santa Rosa County)
Habitat: longleaf pines and some oaks. Deer Hunting, Not Allowed; Hog Hunting,
Not Allowed; Migratory Bird Hunting, Not Allowed; Small Game Hunting, Good;
Turkey Hunting, Not Allowed; Camping, No; Dogs, Bird dogs only; ATVs, No; Fishing,
Frogging and Trapping, Prohibited; The Carr Unit is a part of Blackwater WMA
and is a one-of-a-kind area where quail hunters who obtain a special quota permit
for $100 can hunt pen-reared birds (they bring) on specified hunt days. Parties
of up to four hunters are allowed.
Blackwater Wildlife Management Area - Hutton Unit: (5,243
acres in Santa Rosa County)
Habitat: cutover pine woodlands with some mature pine forest and a small amount
of hardwood forests. Deer Hunting, Good; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Fair; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, Yes at designated
campsites only; Dogs, Bird Dogs and Retrievers only; ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging,
Permitted throughout the year; Trapping, Prohibited. All deer hunting requires
either a special or regular quota hunt permit.
Blue Water Creek Wildlife Management Area: (21,048 acres
in Escambia County)
Habitat: rolling pines woodlands and hardwoods along Pine Barren Creek and the
smaller feeder creeks. Deer Hunting, Excellent; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory
Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping,
Dogs and ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging during designated hunting days and pre-hunt
scouting periods; Trapping, Prohibited. Formerly known as Champion International
WMA, Blue Water Creek is now an FWC User-Pay area. A recreational use permit
to hunt the area costs $180, and some permits remain available for this season.
Deer hunters had an incredible season last year. They killed 163 bucks and 97
does off the 21,000-acre area. The area is all still-hunt. If you're new to
this area, find a place to put up a tree stand in productive areas near the
creeks.
Ed Ball Wildlife Management Area: (57,971 acres in Gulf
County)
Habitat: primarily pine woodlands and swampy floodplain terrain. Deer Hunting,
Fair; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Fair; Small Game Hunting, Poor;
Turkey Hunting, No; Camping, No; Dogs, Yes in the Dog Hunt Area and bird dogs
and retrievers only in the Still Hunt Area; ATVs, No; Fishing, Permitted throughout
the year; Trapping, Jan. 1 to Feb. 1 in still hunt area only. Most of those
who hunt Ed Ball go there for either squirrels or deer. The best places to squirrel
hunt are along Cypress and Dept creeks and Lake Wimico. The still hunt area
for deer hunters is south of the Intracoastal Waterway. One proven way for deer
hunters to improve their chances is to go in by boat and hunt the still hunt
section. While Lake Wimico is not part of the area it's excellent most years
for duck hunting.
Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area: (28,002 acres in
Jefferson and Wakulla counties)
Habitat: swampy hardwood-dominated forest with some cutover pine forests and
stands of pines. Deer Hunting, Good; Hog Hunting, Good; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Poor; Small Game Hunting, Good; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, Prohibited; Dogs,
Waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs only; ATVs, Prohibited; Fishing and Frogging,
Permitted during periods when area is open; Trapping, Jan. 6 to March 1. There
are some wild hogs on the area. Legal bucks must have at least one forked antler
with two or more points. This is a recreational use area and requires a $206
permit. All permits have been sold for this season.
Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area: (10,539 acres in Gadsden
County)
Habitat: mature hardwood tracts, old fields and some cutover pine woodlands.
Deer Hunting, Excellent; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Fair; Small
Game Hunting, Excellent; Turkey Hunting, Good; Camping, Yes (At High Bluff campground
only with Division of Forestry permit); Dogs, Bird dogs and Retrievers during
small game season only; ATVs, Prohibited; Fishing and Frogging permitted throughout
the year; Trapping, Prohibited. There's probably no better public area to squirrel
hunt than Joe Budd during the small game season. It's common for hunters to
kill 1,000 or more squirrels each year. Small game hunting is allowed on Saturdays
and Sundays only. Doves may be hunted only on Saturday during the small game
season when migratory game bird seasons are open. The area has a great deer
population and hunting is open to those using either archery or muzzleloading
guns on three-day hunts. Due to public demand, rigid rules are in place to limit
the number of hunters on any hunt and to improve the overall quality of hunting
for all involved.
Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area: (2,790 acres
in Leon County)
Habitat: hardwood and pine woodlands with some floodplain forest along the Ochlockonee
River. Deer Hunting, Poor; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor;
Small Game Hunting, Good; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, No; Dogs, Bird Dogs
and Retrievers only; ATVs, Prohibited; Fishing and Frogging, permitted during
daylight hours when hunting is not allowed; Trapping, Prohibited. The area is
close to Tallahassee and gets frequent use from non-hunters, even during the
hunting seasons. It's a better area for squirrel hunting but some deer are killed
here each season. If you're going to deer hunt, get away from the interior road
that tends to be used by those who use it for jogging or walking their pets.
Pine Log Wildlife Management Area: (6,911 acres in Bay
and Washington counties)
Habitat: mature pines and ti-ti creek bottoms. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting,
Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey Hunting,
Poor; Camping, Yes (At designated campsites only); Dogs, No; ATVs, No; Fishing
and Frogging, Permitted throughout the year; Trapping, Prohibited; This is a
state forest formerly part of Moore's Pasture WMA, which was withdrawn from
the WMA system last year. The deer herd had declined on the Pine Log area over
the past several years, and the regulations now in place are somewhat restrictive
but designed to allow the deer herd to recover. Either regular or special quota
hunt permits are required during the muzzleloading or general gun hunts.
Point Washington Wildlife Management Area: (12,366 acres
in Walton County)
Habitat: mainly older pine forest with palmetto flatwoods and occasional ti-ti
creek drains. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey Hunting, Poor; Camping, No; Dogs, Bird
Dogs only; ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging permitted throughout the year; Trapping,
Jan. 1 to Feb. 1. This area is state forest and just a remnant of the former
Point Washington WMA. A major portion of the area was removed at the close of
last hunting season by the landowner. The deer population is growing and should
be excellent in the years to come. The Florida Division of Forestry is using
fire with good results to keep down excess fuel and that's opened the understory
for those who like to deer hunt.
Robert Brent Wildlife Management Area: (45,298 acres
in Gadsden and Liberty counties)
Habitat: mostly pine woodlands with ti-ti creek drains. Deer Hunting, Good;
Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey
Hunting, Fair; Camping, No; Dogs, Yes (during dog hunt season); ATVs, No; Fishing
and Frogging, Permitted throughout the year; Trapping, Jan. 1 to March 1 (In
still hunt area only). A significant portion of the area was withdrawn last
year at the close of the hunting season at the request of the landowner. Still-hunting
is legal west of S.R. 65. Hunters new to the area who haven't had time to scout
may want to consider putting up a stand near Ocklawaha Creek. A number of nice
bucks are taken near this drainage each season.
Talquin Wildlife Management Area: (3,053 acres in Leon
County)
Habitat: pine forests and some floodplain forest near Lake Talquin. Deer Hunting,
Good; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Fair;
Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, No; Dogs, Bird dogs and retrievers only; ATVs,
Prohibited; Fishing and Frogging permitted during daylight hours when hunting
is NOT allowed; Trapping, Prohibited; This area isn't very big but gives up
quite a few deer each season and is popular with hunters. Those who want to
deer hunt during the general gun season must have either a regular quota permit
or daily hunt permit. The area has good roads.
Tate's Hell Wildlife Management Area: (136,567 acres
in Franklin and Liberty counties)
Habitat: mainly cutover pine woodlands with some cypress domes and ti-ti drainages
in the low areas. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey Hunting, Poor; Camping, At designated
campsites only by permit from Division of Forestry; Dogs, Deer dogs on deer
dog section only; ATVs, No; Fishing and Frogging, Permitted throughout the year;
Trapping, Feb. 1 to March 1. A small portion of the area is available for still
hunters. The terrain is generally wet, boggy and rough. If there's prolonged
periods of rain, don't go into this area without a four-wheeled drive vehicle.
Tate's Hell Wildlife Management Area - Womack Creek Unit:
(13,754 acres in Franklin and Liberty counties)
Habitat: mainly pine woodlands with some hardwoods and some floodplain forest
near Crooked River. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Poor; Migratory Bird Hunting,
Poor; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting, Poor; Camping, At designated
campsites only by permit from Division of Forestry; Dogs, During general gun
dog season; ATVs. No; Fishing and Frogging, Permitted throughout the year; Trapping,
Feb. 1 to March 1. Womack Creek is part of Tate's Hell WMA. Rather than split
the area into still-hunt and dog-hunt sections, there is both a still-hunt season
and dog-hunt season. Regular quota hunt permits are required to hunt during
each season.