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Escambia River
  pfs  3259

Regulations Summary and Area Map

July 01, 2022 - June 30, 2023
 
 
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Escambia River 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 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: Quota permits are not required for this area.

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 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 head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
    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 for hunting wild hog.
    17. Littering is prohibited.
    18. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
    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
    Public Access and Vehicles:
    1. Open to public access year round, except access to improved recreation areas from sunset to sunrise is only allowed for individuals participating in authorized hunting and/or fishing activities, actively launching/retrieving a boat or authorized to camp within the area.
    2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.
    3. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
    4. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
    5. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic. 
  • Hunters
    Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
    1. Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of any season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every season.
    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
    Guns:
    1. Hunting on or from rights-of-way of Keyser Landing Road, Webb Landing Road, S.R. 184 or any other paved road within the area is prohibited.
    2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see exception for wild hog-dog season, raccoon season, and fox, opossum and bobcat season).
    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 air guns 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, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
    11. For hunting migratory game, only 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 capable of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and 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
    Dogs:

    1. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt area, except that any dog may be used at night when raccoon hunting and dogs may be used to hunt wild hogs throughout the area during the wild hog-dog season.

    2. The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.

    3. 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.

    4. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.

    5. For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
  • Camping
    Camping:
    1. Camping is allowed throughout the area, except camping within designated campgrounds (see map) is allowed by permit only and subject to permit provisions.  To make a camping reservation, please visit www.nwfwater.com.
    2. Camping is limited to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period and prohibited where posted as “no camping.”
    3. Camping is limited to tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited.
  • Bag and Possession Limits
    Bag and Possession Limits:
    1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
    A. Area limits - See statewide limits below. 
    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 - Daily limit 1.
    B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
    4. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
    5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
    6. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a Trapping License.
    7. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
    8. 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 850-265-3676 (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.
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 head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
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 for hunting wild hog.
17. Littering is prohibited.
18. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
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 access year round, except access to improved recreation areas from sunset to sunrise is only allowed for individuals participating in authorized hunting and/or fishing activities, actively launching/retrieving a boat or authorized to camp within the area.
2. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.
3. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
4. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
5. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic. 
Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1. Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of any season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every season.
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 on or from rights-of-way of Keyser Landing Road, Webb Landing Road, S.R. 184 or any other paved road within the area is prohibited.
2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see exception for wild hog-dog season, raccoon season, and fox, opossum and bobcat season).
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 air guns 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, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
11. For hunting migratory game, only 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 capable of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and 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, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt area, except that any dog may be used at night when raccoon hunting and dogs may be used to hunt wild hogs throughout the area during the wild hog-dog season.

2. The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.

3. 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.

4. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.

5. For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
Camping:
1. Camping is allowed throughout the area, except camping within designated campgrounds (see map) is allowed by permit only and subject to permit provisions.  To make a camping reservation, please visit www.nwfwater.com.
2. Camping is limited to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period and prohibited where posted as “no camping.”
3. Camping is limited to tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited.
Bag and Possession Limits:
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - See statewide limits below. 
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 - Daily limit 1.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
4. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
6. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a Trapping License.
7. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
8. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) - No bag limits.
 
Seasons ( Count: 13)
  • Wild Hog-Dog Season
    2022 hunt dates: May 13-15, June 10-12, July 8-10, August 12-14, September 9-11
    2023 hunt dates: May 12-14, June 9-11
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Wild hog.
    Regulations Unique to the Wild Hog-Dog Season - 
    1. Please read the “Dogs” section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
    2. Hunts begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning and end at midnight Sunday evening.  
    3. Wild hogs may be taken during the day or at night by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm provided that, during the period from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise, wild hogs are bayed by dogs before being shot. The hunting of wild hogs under this provision by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
  • Archery Season
    October 22 - November 20
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, archery permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), wild turkey permit (if hunting wild turkey), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn), wild hog, turkey of either sex, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds.
    Regulations Unique to Archery Season - 
    1. Only archery equipment may be used for hunting (except as allowed during other open seasons such as centerfire shotguns for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds). Hunting with crossbows is prohibited (except by disabled crossbow permit).
    2. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
  • Fox, Opossum and Bobcat Season
    April 25 - July 31
    November 1 - March 10, March 13-17
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license and management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Fox, opossum, and bobcat. Bobcat may only be killed from December 1 through March 1. Killing fox is prohibited.
    Regulations Unique to Fox, Opossum, and Bobcat Season - 
    1. Fox, opossum and bobcat may be pursued with dogs during the day and at night, but only in the designated dog hunt area.
    2. Please read the “Dogs” section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
  • Raccoon Season

    Allowed year-round (except during spring turkey season).
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license and management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Raccoon.
    Regulations Unique to Raccoon Season - Raccoon may be hunted at night by the aid of a light and dogs, with .22 rimfire firearms other than .22 magnum, or with a single-shot .410 gauge shotgun using shot no larger than No. 6. Hunting raccoon by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
  • Small Game Season
    November 12 - March 5
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - Wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon (through March 1), opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds. Bobcat and otter December 1 through March 1.
    Regulations Unique to Small Game Season - 
    1. Hunting with centerfire rifles is allowed.
    2. Please read the “Dogs” section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
    3. Hunting wild hog with dogs is allowed in the dog hunt area except during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and archery/muzzleloading gun seasons.
  • General Gun Season
    November 24-27, December 10 - February 1
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds. Bobcat and otter beginning December 10.
    Regulations Unique to General Gun Season - Please read the “Dogs” section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
  • Muzzleloading Gun Season
    December 3-5
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, muzzleloading gun permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, bobcat, otter, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds.
    Regulations Unique to Muzzleloading Gun Season -  
    1. Hunting with archery equipment or guns, other than muzzleloading guns, is prohibited except as allowed during other open seasons such as centerfire shotguns for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds.
    2. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
  • Family Hunt
    December 24-25
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, otter, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds.
    Regulations Unique to the Family Hunt - 
    1. Please read the “Dogs” section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
    2. Youths (under 16 years of age but not younger than 8 years of age) may hunt under the direct supervision of an adult (at least 18 years of age).
  • Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season
    February 2-12
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, archery permit (if hunting with archery equipment), muzzleloading gun permit (if hunting with a muzzleloading gun), deer permit (if hunting deer) and migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds).
    Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, bobcat, otter, migratory birds in season, and non-protected birds.
    Regulations Unique to Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season - 
    1. Only archery equipment and muzzleloading guns may be used for hunting (except as allowed during other open seasons such as centerfire shotguns for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds). Hunting with crossbows is prohibited (except by disabled crossbow permit).
    2. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
  • Trapping
    Prohibited.
  • Spring Turkey Season
    Youth Turkey: March 11-12
    Spring Turkey: March 18 - April 23
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, and wild turkey permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Bearded turkey or gobbler.
    Regulations Unique to Spring Turkey Season - 
    1. Legal shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset.
    2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited.
    3. Hunting other animals is prohibited.
    4. Only bows, crossbows, PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow, and shotguns using a #2 or smaller shot size may be used for hunting.
    5. During the youth turkey hunt, only youth under 16 years of age may hunt and must be under the supervision and in the presence of an adult not younger than 18 years of age. Adults with required licenses and permits for taking wild turkeys may participate when in the presence of a youth, but may not harvest a wild turkey.
  • Migratory Bird Season

    Migratory game birds and crows may be hunted during their respective statewide seasons. See migratory game bird hunting regulations.
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, migratory bird permit, and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl).
    Legal to Hunt - See migratory bird season dates, bag limits and regulations. Non-protected birds may also be taken.
    Regulations Unique to Migratory Bird Seasons - All Migratory Bird Regulations shall apply. 
    1. Hunting ducks, geese, and coot with lead shot is prohibited.
    2. Centerfire shotguns are allowed for hunting during established area seasons when migratory birds are legal to hunt.
    3. Shooting hours for mourning and white-winged dove are noon until sunset during Phase 1 and ½ hour before sunrise until sunset during phases 2 and 3.
  • Fishing and Frogging
    Allowed year round.
    Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements - Fishing license (if fishing) or management area permit (if frogging).
    Legal to Take - See Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary.
    Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging - All General Freshwater Fishing Regulations shall apply.
    1. Fishing on or from the rights-of-way of Keyser Landing Road and Webb Landing Road is prohibited.
    2. Shooting frogs is allowed only during the listed open hunting seasons and only with the legal methods of take during each particular season. Frogs may only be taken by firearms during daylight hours.
 
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 850-265-3676 (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.
Northwest Florida WMD Rules and Information:
1. This land was acquired by the Northwest Florida Water Management District (District) to protect public water resources. The purpose of the District's land acquisition and management program is to conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable land and water resources, restore areas to their original condition as much as possible and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses consistent with this purpose.
2. The District's land management activities for this area may include prescribed burning and timber harvesting during most months of the year. For personal safety reasons, area users should be aware of activities in the area and contact the District's Land Management office at 850-539-5999 with any questions. The District has no responsibility or obligation to identify and/or protect personal property while undertaking its land management activities.
Cooperation Requested:
If you see law violators or suspicious activities, contact your nearest Commission regional office or call 888-404-FWCC. You may qualify for a cash reward from the Wildlife Alert Reward Association.
The U.S. Department of the Interior 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 as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. The project described in this publication is part of a program funded by federal dollars under the Wildlife Restoration Act. Federal funds pay 20 percent of the cost of the program.