Arbuckle WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Arbuckle WMA sets 2 deer seasons (archery and muzzleloading gun); archery is on October 17-November 6. The area is 13,734 acres of public hunting land in Polk County, a wildlife management area in FWC's southwest region. Around it, FWC estimates 4,506 deer were taken in DMU C1 in the 2023-24 season.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: FWC's 2026-27 regulations summary for the area. Harvest: FWC's statewide deer harvest survey by DMU, 2023-24.
Arbuckle WMAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 13,734 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Polk |
| Deer management unit | DMU C1 |
| Deer seasons | Archery and muzzleloading gun |
| Archery | October 17-November 6 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 23-25, April 6-8 |
| Legal deer | 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) |
| Deer dogs | No deer dog season on FWC's summary |
| Also on the area | Small game, camping, horseback riding, hiking trails and fishing |
| Nearest towns | Frostproof (4 mi), Avon Park (5 mi) and Hillcrest Heights (8 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Arbuckle WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | October 17-November 6 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | December 12-20 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 23-25, April 6-8 |
| Small Game Season | January 9-10, 30-31 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Fishing | Allowed year round. |
Legal deer: 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).
Source: FWC Arbuckle regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, read October 2026. The brochure and FWC's rules are the final word.
What quota permits does Arbuckle WMA need?
- Archery (weekends) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Archery (weekdays) - 75, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each weekday of the season. Muzzleloading Gun (weekends) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun (weekdays) - 75, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each weekday of the season. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts (Note: daily quota permits will not be issued).
What rules apply on Arbuckle WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds may be hunted with bird dogs and retrievers and any dog may be used to take small game during small game season.
- 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.
- Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.
- Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules
- Hunters must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance. Access from Lake Arbuckle is prohibited.
- During periods when the check station is staffed, each day hunters must check in and out at the check station and check all wildlife harvested.
- In addition to checking all wildlife at an area check station, 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.
- During periods when the check station is staffed, no deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station.
- Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the small game season when hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and spring turkey season when hours are 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Guns
- Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
- 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.
- Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
- Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round but only during daylight hours, except during periods open for hunting.
- All persons operating vehicles are requested to use designated parking areas to the greatest extent possible. Sensitive plants are located immediately adjacent to the roads in many locations.
- The gate located at the intersection of School Bus Road and C.R. 64 and the gate located at the intersection of Tram Road and C.R. 64 are open only from 2 weeks prior to archery season through 1 day after small game season and from 2 weeks prior to spring turkey season through 1 day after spring turkey season. Access through these gates at other times can be obtained by a permit from the Florida Forest Service by calling 863-589-0545.
- Motor vehicles shall be operated only on roads shown on the brochure map, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permis. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
Camping
- The Florida Forest Service regulates camping and a fee is required. Hunt Camp camping requires a camping reservation fee to be paid online only for campsites for hunters during designated dates.
Bag 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.
- Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area Limits - Daily limit 1. 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.
- Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
From FWC Arbuckle regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Arbuckle WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Arbuckle WMA lies in DMU C1. FWC estimates 4,506 deer (3,179 bucks, 1,327 does) in DMU C1 in the 2023-24 season, 1,239 of them on public land.
Source: FWC 2023-24 Harvest Survey Results. FWC's per-area harvest figures are in its WMA harvest reports tool.
Which county is Arbuckle WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Polk County | 13,733 |
Measured by FilledTag on FWC Wildlife Management Areas Florida (open data) and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries.
How do you get to Arbuckle WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 25, US 27, US 98 and FL 17. Nearest towns: Frostproof (4 miles), Avon Park (5 miles), Hillcrest Heights (8 miles) and Highland Park (11 miles). FWC's page for the area: Arbuckle.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Walk-in-the-Water WMA (2.8 miles), Kissimmee River PUA (11.6 miles), Kissimmee Chain of Lakes WMA (11.8 miles) and KICCO WMA (12.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Arbuckle WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: October 17-November 6; Muzzleloading Gun Season: December 12-20. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Arbuckle WMA?
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), by FWC's brochure. Antlerless deer only where and when a season says so.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Arbuckle WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Arbuckle WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Arbuckle WMA?
Archery (weekends) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Archery (weekdays) - 75, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each weekday of the season. Muzzleloading Gun (weekends) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun (weekdays) - 75, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each weekday of the season. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts (Note: daily quota permits will not be issued).
What county is Arbuckle WMA in?
Polk County, measured on FWC's boundary.
Get a Florida hunt plan when they open
Florida plans are not open yet. They are coming soon. Join the waiting list; the first 50 hunters get one plan free.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
You need a hunting license, a management area permit and any quota permit the area lists, plus deer and turkey permits as FWC requires. Statewide WMA basics. FilledTag is not part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; seasons and rules are copied from FWC's brochure, maps from FWC's WMA layer, each with its source above.