Aucilla WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Aucilla WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 19-October 18. The area is 51,393 acres of public hunting land in Jefferson and Taylor counties, a wildlife management area in FWC's northwest region. Around it, FWC estimates 14,293 deer were taken in DMU C3 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.
Aucilla WMAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 51,393 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson, Taylor |
| Deer management unit | DMU C3 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | September 19-October 18 |
| General gun | November 7-January 3 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-April 25 |
| 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 in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area, deer with at least 1 antler having 2 or more points (each point 1 inch or more in length) and having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length in the remainder of the area, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn) |
| Deer dogs | Allowed in a dog season or area (rules below) |
| Also on the area | Small game, released quail, hog hunting, hog dogs, deer dogs, camping, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing, family hunts and night raccoon hunting |
| Nearest towns | St. Marks (10 mi), Monticello (14 mi) and Tallahassee (16 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Aucilla WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 19-October 18 (except in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area) September 19-27, October 10-18 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only) |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| General Gun Season | November 7-January 3 (except in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area) November 7-13, 14-20, 21-29 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only) |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-April 25 |
| Wild Hog-Dog Season | 2026 hunt dates: May 8-10, June 12-14, July 10-12, August 14-16, September 4-6 (Dog Hunt Area Only) 2027 hunt dates: May 14-16, June 11-13 (Dog Hunt Area Only) |
| Raccoon Season | Dog Hunt Area only: July 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, July 30-August 2, August 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 |
| Family Still Hunt | October 31-November 1 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only) |
| Small Game Season | November 30-March 7 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only) January 4-March 7 (except in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area) |
| Trapping | January 4-March 1 |
| Fishing and Frogging | 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 in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area, deer with at least 1 antler having 2 or more points (each point 1 inch or more in length) and having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length in the remainder of the area, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).
Source: FWC Aucilla 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 Aucilla WMA need?
- Archery (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Family Still Hunt (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun (first 9 days, except in the Pinhook still hunt area) - 550, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). General Gun (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What rules apply on Aucilla WMA?
Dogs
- In the still hunt areas, hunting with dogs other than bird dogs or retrievers is prohibited.
- The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote with dogs (only as allowed during area seasons) is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.
- 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, including bear.
- 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 Pinhook still hunt area at the designated entrance.
- 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.
- Hunters must physically attach the provided bear harvest tag to their harvested bear prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report the bear they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See the Florida Bear Hunting Guidebook or MyFWC.com for bear harvest reporting instructions.
Guns
- Hunting with a gun or archery equipment is prohibited on or from the rights-of-way of U.S. 98 and State Road 59.
- Taking wildlife at night with a gun equipped with a thermal or night-vision device is prohibited.
- Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer or bear must be .30 caliber or larger if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
- Hunting deer or bear with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round.
- Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except for individuals who qualify for AMP permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page. Vehicles must enter and exit at designated entrances (see map).
- A marked footpath called the Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail) traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic. Motorcycles may only be operated on roads open to other motor vehicles.
Camping
- Primitive camping (tents only) is allowed for hikers at designated sites along the Florida Trail.
- Camping is allowed at the Goose Pasture campground except during the zonal general gun season (November 7 through January 24). For more information, contact the SRWMD at 386-362-1001.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, turkey, bear, 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 - See statewide limits below. Archery season, Pinhook still hunt area - 2 deer (only 1 of which may be antlered) per archery quota permit. Family hunt, Pinhook still hunt area - 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer per family quota permit. Muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons, Pinhook still hunt area - 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.
- Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
From FWC Aucilla regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Aucilla WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Aucilla WMA lies in DMU C3. FWC estimates 14,293 deer (9,798 bucks, 4,495 does) in DMU C3 in the 2023-24 season, 2,268 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 Aucilla WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 48,092 |
| Taylor County | 3,301 |
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 Aucilla WMA?
Highways through the area: FL 30 and US 98. Nearest towns: St. Marks (10 miles), Monticello (14 miles), Tallahassee (16 miles) and Greenville (19 miles). FWC's page for the area: Aucilla.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Middle Aucilla WMA (next to it), Big Bend WMA (Snipe Island Unit) (next to it), Plank Road WMA (1 mile) and Lower Econfina River WMA (4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Aucilla WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 19-October 18 (except in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area) September 19-27, October 10-18 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only); Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; General Gun Season: November 7-January 3 (except in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area) November 7-13, 14-20, 21-29 (Pinhook Still Hunt Area only). From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Aucilla 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 in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area, deer with at least 1 antler having 2 or more points (each point 1 inch or more in length) and having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length in the remainder of the area, 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 Aucilla WMA?
The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote with dogs (only as allowed during area seasons) is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.
Do you need a quota permit for Aucilla WMA?
Archery (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Family Still Hunt (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun (first 9 days, except in the Pinhook still hunt area) - 550, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). General Gun (Pinhook still hunt area) - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What county is Aucilla WMA in?
Jefferson County (48,092 acres) and Taylor County (3,301 acres), measured on FWC's boundary.
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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.