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Troy Springs
  pfs  4036

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 Troy Springs 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.

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.  Taking of roosted turkey is prohibited.
    2. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
    3.  Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal objective has been driven, is prohibited.
    4.  No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
    5.  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 wild hog.
    6.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
    7.  Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
    8.  People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 
    9.  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.
    10.  Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
    11.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
    12.  The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
    13. The planting or introduction of any plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
    14.  Wild hog may not be transported alive.
    15.  A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
    16.  Littering is prohibited.
    17.  Fires are prohibited.
    18.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
    19.  Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access.
  • Public Access and Vehicles
    Public Access and Vehicles:
    1.  Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
    2.  Persons must enter and exit at a designated entrance or via the Suwannee River.
    3.  Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.
    4.  The use of ATVs is prohibited.
    5.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
    6.  No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
    7.      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
    Hunters:
    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.
  • Guns
    Guns:
    1.  Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
    2.  Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
    3.  Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
    4. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
    5.  No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
    6.  Only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used for hunting.
    7.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
    8.  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 is prohibited, except during small game season when dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, and squirrel).
    2.  No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife.
    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.
  • Bag and Possession Limits
    Bag and Possession Limits: No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
    1.  Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
    2.  Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
            A.  Area limits - Daily limit 1.
            B.  Statewide limits - Spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit
     3. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
     4.  Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24.
  • 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 386-758-0525 (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.  Taking of roosted turkey is prohibited.
2. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
3.  Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal objective has been driven, is prohibited.
4.  No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
5.  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 wild hog.
6.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
7.  Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
8.  People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 
9.  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.
10.  Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
11.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
12.  The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
13. The planting or introduction of any plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
14.  Wild hog may not be transported alive.
15.  A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
16.  Littering is prohibited.
17.  Fires are prohibited.
18.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
19.  Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access.
Public Access and Vehicles:
1.  Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
2.  Persons must enter and exit at a designated entrance or via the Suwannee River.
3.  Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads.
4.  The use of ATVs is prohibited.
5.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
6.  No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
7.  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:
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.
Guns:
1.  Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
2.  Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
3.  Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
4. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
5.  No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
6.  Only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used for hunting.
7.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
8.  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 during small game season when dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, and squirrel).
2.  No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife.
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.
Bag and Possession Limits: No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
1.  Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
2.  Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
        A.  Area limits - Daily limit 1.
        B.  Statewide limits - Spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit
 3. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
 4.  Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24.
 
Seasons ( Count: 3)
  • Small Game Season
    November 9 - March 2 (except on Sundays)
    Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Hunting license and management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Wild hog, gray squirrel and rabbit. Quail during the periods of: November 18-23, December 16-21 and January 13-18 only. 
    Regulations Unique to Small Game Season - 
    1.  Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited.
    2.  Dogs may be used to hunt quail, rabbit, and squirrel.
    3.  Hunting quail other than during the dates specified in the Legal to Hunt section above is prohibited.
  • Fishing
    Allowed year round.
    Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Fishing license.
    Legal to Take - See Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary.
    Regulations Unique to Fishing - All General Freshwater Fishing Regulations shall apply. Frogging is prohibited.
  • Spring Turkey Season
    March 21-23, April 4-6, 18-20
    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 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
    2.  Hunting other animals is prohibited.
    3.  Only bows, crossbows, PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow and centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns using a #2 or smaller shot size may be used for hunting.
 
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 386-758-0525 (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.
Suwannee River WMD Rules and Information:
1.  These lands were acquired and are managed by the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) for the conservation and protection of water resources, public recreational use and the restoration of natural communities. The SRWMD lands may be used for recreational purposes that are compatible with these objectives.
2.  Public use of SRWMD lands is regulated by Chapter 40B-9, Florida Administrative Code in addition to the FWC rules listed above. For detailed information regarding public use rules and recreational opportunities on SRWMD lands, please visit mysuwanneeriver.com or contact the Land Management Specialist at 386-362-1001, 800-226-1066 (FL only) or recreation@srwmd.org.
3.  Public access on SRWMD lands is allowed from 1½  hours before sunrise until 1½  hours after sunset, except by persons possessing Special Use Authorization from the SRWMD. 
4.  On SRWMD managed lands, all motorized vehicles must be licensed for use on Florida highways.  
5.  The SRWMD management activities include prescribed burning and timber harvesting during most months of the year. For personal safety reasons, area users should contact the SRWMD for information and locations at 386-362-1001 or 800-226-1066 (FL only). Notices are posted at mysuwanneeriver.com.
6.  The possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
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.
 FWC programs receive Federal 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399, Ph: (850) 488-6411, or you may write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.