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Okeechobee Unit of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge
  pfs  5303

Regulations Summary and Area Map

July 01, 2024 - June 30, 2025
 
 
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Okeechobee Unit of the Everglades Headwaters 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, the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook, and quota permit worksheets 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 also 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.

Quota Permit Information: 
Archery - 8, no-cost, hunt quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 4 hunts. 
Muzzleloading Gun - 8, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
General gun - 8, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. 
Family Hunt - 4, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). 
Youth Turkey - 4, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Spring Turkey - 4, 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 archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog, spring turkey and mobility-impaired 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. 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 youth under 16 years of age. The sale or purchase of any quota permit or guest permit is prohibited.

Area Regulations
  • General
  • Public Access and Vehicles
  • Hunters
  • Guns
  • Dogs
  • Camping
  • Bag and Possession Limits
  • General Information
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 for 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 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. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
20. 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:
1. Open to public recreational access year-round, with the following exceptions: from 0.5 hours after sunset until 0.5 hours before sunrise, only individuals participating in hunts may access the area; during all quota hunts except the family and youth turkey hunts, only quota permit holders and their guests may access the area; during the family hunt, only the quota permit holder, up to 2 youth hunters, and 1 non-hunting guest may access the area; and during the youth turkey hunt, only the quota permit holder, 1 adult supervisor, and 1 non-hunting guest may access the area.
2. All persons must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.
3. Motor vehicle access is prohibited, except individuals participating in hunts may operate street legal vehicles on designated roads and trails as indicated on the brochure map during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, family hunt, small game, youth turkey and spring turkey seasons and 3 days before and after each of these seasons. At all other times, public access other than by foot, horseback, or bicycle is prohibited.
4. Motor vehicles may only be operated on roads, trails, and parking areas as designated on the brochure map. See the "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rules and Information" section below for recommendations regarding vehicle use on the area.
5. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), and swamp buggies are prohibited, except during quota hunts when individuals possessing a valid quota permit and their guests may operate ATVs, ROVs (side-by-sides), and swamp buggies on designated roads as indicated on the brochure map.
6. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
7. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, vehicle trail, gate, or firelane.
8. Airboats, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
9. Horses are prohibited, except on designated roads and trails as indicated on the brochure map.
10. Bicycles may only be operated on designated roads and trails as indicated on the brochure map.
11. 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 MyFWC.com/ebike.
Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1.  Tree stands and elevated shooting platforms may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of any hunt and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every hunt.
2. 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:
1. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
2. Only non-toxic ammunition approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is allowed for taking wildlife on this area.
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 airguns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
6. Hunting deer with airguns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns propelling a bolt, arrow, or bullet .30 caliber or larger are allowed. 
7. Hunting turkey with airguns is prohibited, except PCP airguns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
8. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or airgun 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, airguns, 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 must be 10 gauge or smaller and 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 capable of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices, or set guns is prohibited.
13. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s.790.15 FS.
Dogs:
1. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers may be used for hunting migratory birds in season and non-protected birds during migratory bird seasons and any dog may be used to hunt gray squirrel, migratory birds in season, quail, rabbits, 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. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
5. Taking non-native reptiles with dogs is prohibited. 
Camping:
Prohibited.
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 - 1 antlered deer per quota permit except during the family hunt when the bag limit is 2 antlered deer 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. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - 1 gobbler or bearded turkey per archery, youth turkey, and spring turkey quota permit.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
3. Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
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.
 
Seasons ( Count: 9)
  • Archery Season
  • Muzzleloading Gun Season
  • Small Game Season
  • General Gun Season
  • Family Hunt
  • Trapping
  • Spring Turkey Season
  • Migratory Bird Season
  • Fishing and Frogging
 
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 561-625-5122 (TDD 800-955-8771).
3. The FWC is 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.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rules and Information
1. For information on general recreation, please visit the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Webpage or contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 772-581-5557.
2. On days when the area is closed to hunting, persons still must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.
3. Construction of permanent or semi-permanent structures on a National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited.
4. The speed limit is 25 MPH on lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, unless otherwise posted.
5. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service management includes prescribed burning and timber management most months of the year, including during hunting seasons. Area users should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 772-581-5557 or visit the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Webpage for information about burn areas and the prescribed burning program.
6. Users should be aware that area roads and trails are not improved and may be difficult to traverse. Please use caution to avoid getting stuck or damaging personal equipment. All wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended.
Cooperation Requested:
If you see law violators or suspicious activities, contact your nearest Commission regional office or call 888-404-FWCC (*FWC or #FWC may also be used depending on your phone service provider). You may qualify for a cash reward from the Wildlife Alert Reward Association.
The FWC receives financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The DOI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or you need more information, please contact the FWC  at:  FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian  St., Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850) 488-6411, or write to:  Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.