This handbook does not cover specific wildlife management area regulations. Specific regulations are provided in individual brochures published annually for each area. Individual wildlife management area regulation brochures are available from county tax collectors’ offices and their subagents or the FWC Web site (www.floridaconservation.org). To the extent circumstances permit and warrant, special permits may be available to accommodate disabled persons on wildlife management areas. Please contact a FWC regional office for additional information.

There are two types of wildlife management areas:

Type I wildlife management areas are public hunting and recreation areas operated by the FWC in cooperation with private, state, and federal landowners. A $26.50 Wildlife Management Area Permit is required of all hunters (except those indicated as exempt on page 5 of this handbook) to hunt in these areas. Persons who possess a gun on a Type I wildlife management area for the exclusive purpose of shooting at an FWC-authorized shooting range are exempt from wildlife management area permit requirements. A Quota Hunt Permit also may be required during certain time periods (see “Quota Hunt Permits” page 9). A Recreational Use Permit is required for five wildlife management areas (see “Recreational Use Permits” page 10). Type I wildlife management area permits, wildlife management area regulations brochures and most quota hunt application forms are available from county tax collectors and their subagents. Type I wildlife management area brochures and quota hunt application forms also are available from any of the FWC’s five regional administrative offices, listed on page 1. Wildlife management area regulations and maps are also available from the FWC Web site at www.floridaconservation.org

Type II wildlife management areas are public hunting and recreation areas operated by the landowner in cooperation with the FWC. Fees may be charged by the landowner and vary among areas. For more information about Type II wildlife management areas, contact the following landowners:

Northwest Florida Water Management District,
81 Water Management Drive,
Havana, Florida 32333
(850) 539-5999.

Suwannee River Water Management District,
9225 County Road 49,
Live Oak, Florida 32060
(386) 362-1001.

St Johns River Water Management District,
P.O. Box 1429,
Palatka, FL 32178-1429
(386) 329-4404.

Eglin Natural Resources, Jackson Guard,
107 Hwy 85 North,
Niceville, Florida 32578
(850 ) 882-4164.

Avon Park Air Force Range, Hunt Information,
DET 1, 347 WG/CEVN, 29 South Blvd.,
Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida 33825- 5700
(863) 452-4254.

Tyndall Air Force Base, Natural Resources Flight,
325 CES/CEN, 119 Alabama Avenue,
Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida 32403
(850) 283-2641 or (850) 283-2822.

These are major changes for Type I wildlife management areas. There may be other changes not listed here. Hunters should obtain and read a copy of the regulations summary and hunt map for the specific wildlife management areas on which they intend to hunt. Specific changes are listed in bold print in these brochures.

As a result of the merger of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the Marine Fisheries Commission, the new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has realigned its administrative regions. You will find that many wildlife management areas have been assigned a new administrative region. The three management zones (South, Central and Northwest) did not change. The old Northeast Region is now the North Central Region. The old Central Region is now the Northeast Region. The old South Region is now the Southwest Region. The old Everglades Region is now the South Region.

Northwest Region:
The administration of the Aucilla and Flint Rock Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) was transferred to the Northwest Region. On the Flint Rock and Robert Brent WMAs, the taking of antlered deer is restricted to those with forked antlers only. On Robert Brent WMA, hunter quotas were reduced to accomodate acreage reductions (quota reduced from 1200 to 250 still hunt and 250 dog hunt). The Flint Rock WMA was reduced in size. On the Moore’s Pasture WMA, the general gun season will be extended from 48 days to 58 days. The name of Champion International WMA has been changed to Blue Water Creek WMA.

North Central Region:
Administration of the Aucilla and Flint Rock WMAs was transferred to the Northwest Region. Administration of the Chassahowitzka, Citrus, Croom, Flying Eagle, Homosassa and Potts WMAs was transferred to the North Central Region. The administration of Cary and Nassau WMAs was transferred to the new Northeast Region. On Camp Blanding WMA, the spring turkey season and associated hunting zones were reconfigured to allow spring turkey hunting in the still hunt portion of the WMA during the first hunt only and in the north and south dog hunt areas and archery areas during the second hunt only. On Camp Blanding WMA, hunter quotas were reduced to accommodate acreage reductions (spring turkey reduced from 65 to 35). On Big Shoals WMA, hunter quotas were reduced to accommodate acreage reductions (archery reduced from 50 to 35, muzzleloading gun reduced from 30 to 20, and spring turkey reduced from 30 to 20).

Northeast Region:
The administration of Citrus, Flying Eagle, Homosassa and Potts WMAs was transferred to the new North Central Region. The administration of Cary, Nassau and Fort Drum WMAs were transferred to the Northeast Region. Miami Corporation WMA was withdrawn from the wildlife management area program. Relay and Georgia Pacific WMAs were reduced in size and the quota was reduced for both areas. The quota for Relay was reduced from 500 to 400. The quota for Georgia Pacific was reduced from 130 to 40. On the Nassau WMA, fishing and frogging will be permitted during periods open for hunting or scouting and some technical changes were made to reflect removal of lands south of U.S. Highway A1A. On the Cary WMA, the size and bag limit on wild hogs was removed. On the Lake George WMA, rule language was changed to clarify specific conditions for public access. On Triple N Ranch WMA, hog hunt quotas were converted from special- opportunity to regular quota and the hunter quota was increased from 15 to 50. On Triple N Ranch WMA, horses may be used off road during the small game season and vehicle access for scouting by special- opportunity hunt permittees will be allowed the Saturday and Sunday prior to any special-opportunity hunt. On the Tiger Bay WMA, permit requirements and fishing restrictions were deleted for Ranch Pond. On the Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit, operation of any boat powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited on Scoggin and Indian lakes.

Southwest Region:
The administration of Chassahowitzka and Croom WMAs was transferred to the North Central Region. The administration of the Fisheating Creek WMA, was transferred to the new South Region.

South Region:
Administration of the Fisheating Creek WMA, was transferred to the South Region. Administration of the Ft. Drum WMA, was transferred to the Northeast Region. On the John G. and Susan H. Dupuis Jr. WEA, dogs are prohibited, except retrievers, during small game season.