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ATTENTION HUNTERS: Several areas within Silver Springs Forest WMA totaling 495 acres may have timber harvest activities occurring during the 2024-25 hunting season. This work could impact hunting within the WMA. When work is occurring, please be careful with logging trucks entering and exiting the property. For updates and maps of affected areas, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District's website at: http://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/#silver-springs-forest. This brochure is designed to provide the public with
information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other
recreational use on the Silver Springs Forest Wildlife Management Area.
Regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in
bold print. Area users should familiarize themselves with all regulations. For
exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission’s wildlife code, on file with the Secretary of State
and state libraries. This brochure and the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook
should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting
activities. These publications are available at MyFWC.com.
Persons using Wildlife management Areas are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for quota permits when listed as "no exemptions", recreational use permits, antlerless deer permits, and the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp], if applicable): Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older; residents who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate; residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, while home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders; and children under 16 years of age. Children under 16 years of age are exempt from the federal duck stamp. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 and 16 years of age or older must have passed a Commission-approved hunter-safety course prior to being issued a hunting license, except the Hunter Safety Mentoring exemption allows anyone to purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 years of age or older.
Youth and mentor license holders are required to be accompanied by a
supervisor during any hunt. A youth hunter (less than 16 years of age) must be
supervised by a person at least 18 years of age. A mentor license holder must
be supervised by a licensed hunter at least 21 years of age. Unless exempt,
only those supervisors with proper licenses and permits may hunt.
Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356 or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. A no-cost Migratory Bird Permit is available when purchasing a hunting license. Any waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp.
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Quota Permit Information:
Wild Hog - 20, no cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Archery - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
Muzzleloading Gun - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Family Hunt - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
Permit applications: Hunters must submit electronic applications for quota and special-opportunity permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Worksheets listing hunts, application periods, deadlines and instructions are available at county tax collector’s offices, FWC offices or MyFWC.com. Quota application periods occur throughout the year beginning April 1; please refer to the hunting handbook or MyFWC.com for specific dates. Worksheets will be available about 2 weeks prior to each
application period.
Guest hunters: For each non-transferable wild hog, archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, and spring turkey quota permit issued through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, a quota permit holder (host) may take a guest hunter by obtaining a guest permit. Guest hunters are not allowed during family hunts and youth turkey hunts. A guest hunter must possess a completed guest permit while hunting except the following persons may be a guest hunter without a guest permit: a youth under 16 years of age, a youth supervisor, a mentor license holder or a mentor license supervisor. A host may only bring 1 guest hunter at a time and may only use 1 guest permit per day. The following persons are not considered to be guest hunters: other quota permit holders, non-hunters and exempt hunters (on areas and during seasons that allow exemptions). The guest hunter and host must enter and exit the area together and must share a street-legal vehicle while hunting on the area. The guest hunter may hunt only while the host is on the area. Refer to the quota hunt worksheets for additional information.
Youth and mentor license holders: If a youth or mentor supervisor is hunting during any hunt for which quota permits are issued, at least 1 person in the party must be in possession of a quota permit.
Transfer of permits: Quota and guest permits are not transferable. A positive form of identification is required when using a non-transferable permit, except for a youth under 16 years of age. The sale or purchase of any quota permit or guest permit is prohibited.
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Area Regulations
- General
General Area
Regulations:
All general
laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless
specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish
on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance
with the following regulations:
1. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action.
10. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat, which is under power, is prohibited until power, and movement from that power, has ceased.
11. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions under each season).
12. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
13. The skull plate with any attached antler, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested deer. The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
14. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
15. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
16. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
17. Littering is prohibited.
18. Fires are prohibited.
19. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
20. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
21. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. Falconers are not exempt from quota permits during hunts requiring them.
- Public Access and Vehicles
Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year-round.
2. Only individuals participating in quota hunts are allowed vehicular access during wild hog, archery, muzzleloading gun, family, general gun, and spring turkey hunt days and one day prior to and one day after each of these hunts from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. At all other times, including small game seasons, vehicle access is prohibited.
3. Motorized vehicles are allowed in designated parking areas only
throughout the year.
4. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.
5. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or fireline.
6. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on roads, firelines and designated trails. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit: https://myfwc.com/ebike/.
7. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
- Hunters
Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1. The gate combination for quota hunts will be listed on the quota
permits.
2. Hunters must enter at the designated entrances.
3. Hunters may enter the area no earlier than 1.5 hours before sunrise and
shall exit the area no later than 1.5 hours after sunset.
4. Tree stands and elevated shooting platforms may be taken onto the WMA after 8 a.m. 1 day before the opening of any hunt and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every hunt.
5. There is no check station on this area.
6. Hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions. - Guns
Guns:
1. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in
areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
3. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
4. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
5. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
6. Hunting deer with airguns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow, or bullet .30 caliber or larger are allowed.
7. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
8. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
9. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
11. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
12. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capacity of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
- Dogs
Dogs:
1. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs and retrievers is prohibited
except dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and
migratory birds) and non-protected birds during small game season.
2. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or
molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the
use of dogs is prohibited.
3. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing
wounded game.
4. Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
5. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs but must be kept under physical
restraint at all times.
- Camping
- Bag and Possession Limits
Bag and Possession Limits: A guest hunter must share the host's bag
limit for deer, turkey and quail, except when these bag limits are specified as per person. The host is responsible
for violations that exceed the bag limit.
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area Limits - 2 per quota permit, but only 1 per person.
B. Statewide Limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild
hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag
limits.
A. Area Limits -
Youth turkey hunt - 1 turkey per quota permit.
Spring turkey season - 2 per quota permit, but only 1 per person.
4. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12
per person, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Quail – Daily limit 12, possession limit 24.
6. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote,
skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
7. Bobcat and otter - prohibited.
8. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
9. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow and common starling) - No bag limits.
- General Information
General Information:
1. Information for persons with disabilities
can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
2. If you have any questions about this
material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at
352-732-1225 (TDD 800-955-8771).
3. The FWC and the District are not responsible
for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or
damage to personal property.
4. Please
report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting
Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.
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General Area
Regulations:
All general
laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless
specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish
on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance
with the following regulations:
1. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action.
10. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat, which is under power, is prohibited until power, and movement from that power, has ceased.
11. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions under each season).
12. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
13. The skull plate with any attached antler, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested deer. The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
14. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
15. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
16. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
17. Littering is prohibited.
18. Fires are prohibited.
19. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
20. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
21. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. Falconers are not exempt from quota permits during hunts requiring them.
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Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year-round.
2. Only individuals participating in quota hunts are allowed vehicular access during wild hog, archery, muzzleloading gun, family, general gun, and spring turkey hunt days and one day prior to and one day after each of these hunts from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. At all other times, including small game seasons, vehicle access is prohibited.
3. Motorized vehicles are allowed in designated parking areas only
throughout the year.
4. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must be parked within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.
5. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or fireline.
6. Horses and bicycles are allowed only on roads, firelines and designated trails. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit: https://myfwc.com/ebike/.
7. The use of tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
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Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1. The gate combination for quota hunts will be listed on the quota
permits.
2. Hunters must enter at the designated entrances.
3. Hunters may enter the area no earlier than 1.5 hours before sunrise and
shall exit the area no later than 1.5 hours after sunset.
4. Tree stands and elevated shooting platforms may be taken onto the WMA after 8 a.m. 1 day before the opening of any hunt and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every hunt.
5. There is no check station on this area.
6. Hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions.
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Guns:
1. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in
areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
3. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
4. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
5. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
6. Hunting deer with airguns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow, or bullet .30 caliber or larger are allowed.
7. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
8. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
9. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
11. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
12. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capacity of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited. |
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Dogs:
1. Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs and retrievers is prohibited
except dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and
migratory birds) and non-protected birds during small game season.
2. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or
molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the
use of dogs is prohibited.
3. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing
wounded game.
4. Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
5. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs but must be kept under physical
restraint at all times.
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Camping: Prohibited. |
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Bag and Possession Limits: A guest hunter must share the host's bag
limit for deer, turkey and quail, except when these bag limits are specified as per person. The host is responsible
for violations that exceed the bag limit.
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area Limits - 2 per quota permit, but only 1 per person.
B. Statewide Limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild
hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag
limits.
A. Area Limits -
Youth turkey hunt - 1 turkey per quota permit.
Spring turkey season - 2 per quota permit, but only 1 per person.
4. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12
per person, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Quail – Daily limit 12, possession limit 24.
6. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote,
skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
7. Bobcat and otter - prohibited.
8. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
9. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow and common starling) - No bag limits. |
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