WMA Permit Requirements
- To hunt on wildlife management areas, you must possess a management area permit and a hunting license, unless exempt (see License and permit exemptions on page 8). A management area permit is not required to hunt on Eglin, Avon Park and Tyndall military bases, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area and Kissimmee River Public Use Area. Persons possessing firearms on Osceola, Ocala or Apalachicola WMAs for the exclusive purpose of shooting at an FWC-authorized shooting range are exempt from needing management area permits.
- Limited entry permits are required on wildlife management areas during certain time periods (see Limited entry permits on page 39).
Permits for ADA accommodations are available under certain conditions for some wildlife management areas. Visit MyFWC.com/ADA for more information.
Wildlife management area regulation changes
Hunters should obtain WMA brochures for the area in which they intend to hunt. The latest rule changes are notated by bold print in these brochures. WMA brochures are available at MyFWC.com/Hunting, FWC regional offices (see page 5) and at some county tax collectors’ offices.
Public small-game hunting areas
These small-game public hunting areas offer the opportunity to hunt hogs, doves, waterfowl and small game. WMA brochures are available at MyFWC.com/Hunting or an FWC regional office (see page 5).
Hunting Florida’s military bases
Three military bases in Florida are open to public hunting. For information on hunting these lands, contact:
- Eglin Natural Resources, Jackson Guard, 107 Hwy. 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578; 850-882-4164.
- Avon Park Air Force Range, Hunt Information, 347 RQW, DET1, OLA/CEVN, 29 South Blvd., Avon Park Air Force Range, FL 33825-5700; 863-452-4254.
- Tyndall Air Force Base, Natural Resources Flight,
325 CES/CEN, 119 Alabama Ave., Tyndall Air Force Base, FL 32403; 850-283-2641 or 850-283-2822.
Hunting Florida’s national wildlife refuges (NWR)
Six national wildlife refuges in Florida are open to public hunting. These refuges are operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunting permits for some of these areas are issued by the FWC (see National Wildlife Refuge Hunts on page 42).
- A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33437-4796; 561-732-3684. Waterfowl only.
- Lower Suwannee NWR, 16450 NW 31st Place, Chiefland, FL 32626; 352-493-0238.
- Lake Woodruff NWR, P.O. Box 488, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130; 386-985-4673.
- Merritt Island NWR, P.O. Box 6504, Titusville, FL 32782; 321-861-0667, Waterfowl only.
- St. Marks NWR, P.O. Box 68, St. Marks, FL 32355; 850-925-6121.
- St. Vincent NWR, P.O. Box 447, Apalachicola, FL 32329; 850-653-8808.
Limited entry permits
Florida’s limited entry permits prevent overcrowding and control the harvest of game on public hunting areas thus providing hunters with quality hunting experiences. The maximum number of permits available on public hunting areas is based on an area’s size, habitat, game populations and rules. Reference individual WMA brochures to determine if or when a limited entry permit is required.
To apply for limited entry permits, you will need to read the permit specific information on FWC’s website and complete the correct application worksheet. Information and application worksheets contain important information about when, where, and how to apply as well as the hunt numbers, dates and quotas. You may find the permit specific information and worksheets at MyFWC.com/Hunting under “Limited Entry Hunts.”
If you choose to have a tax collector or license agent submit your application for you, you will need to give your completed application worksheet to the clerk. If you choose to submit your application at www.fl.wildlifelicense.com, the completed application worksheet will help you answer questions that will be asked during the application process.
FWC issues a variety of limited entry permits throughout the year to hunt species such as alligator, dove, quail, deer, waterfowl, hog and turkey and to camp on Green Swamp WMA (See Limited entry permits – application periods on page 42).
Alligator: These limited permits allow the harvest of alligators on specific public water bodies or within specific counties. Each permit authorizes the take of two alligators on a specific harvest unit (see Florida is the alligator hunting capital of the world on page 41).
Dove: Dove hunting opportunities are in high demand but often hard to find. The FWC has created some exceptional dove hunting opportunities throughout the state. The friendly, social atmosphere surrounding dove hunts makes for the perfect setting for friends and family to hunt together.
- Dove Club permits allow an adult permit holder and one youth (under age 16) to participate in all scheduled hunts for a designated dove field. These permits cost $150 and provide a savings of more than 50 percent when compared to buying daily dove permits for the entire season.
- Daily Dove permits allow an adult permit holder and one youth (under age 16) to participate in one hunt on a designated dove field. These permits cost $35.
- Punta Gorda, Royce and Dupuis Dove permits allow one adult and one youth (under age 16) to hunt together on the selected area.
