Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit): 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 26-October 25. The area is 22,596 acres of public hunting land in Taylor County, a wildlife management area in FWC's north central 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.

When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

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 Big Bend - Tide Swamp Unit 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 Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) need?

• Quota permits are not required for this area.

What rules apply on Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

26 of the area's rules on dogs, guns, check stations, access, camping and bag limits are word for word the same as on Big Bend WMA (Snipe Island Unit), and are listed there. The rules below are the ones that differ.

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs other than waterfowl retrievers or bird dogs is prohibited except dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during small game season.

Guns

• Hunting on or from the right-of-way of County Road 361 is prohibited.

Access and vehicles

• Persons must enter and exit the area at designated entrances.
• Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads from September 1 through April 30, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page. From May 1 through August 31, motorized vehicles may be operated only on Dallus Creek Road, Hagen’s Cove Road, Tide City Mainline, Turkey Track Tram, Pine Island Road, Indian Island Road and Bridge Road.
• The use of ATVs is prohibited.
• 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

• Camping is prohibited, except primitive overnight camping is allowed at designated sites at Sponge Point and in the vicinity of Dallus Creek by persons using the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail from September 11 through June 30 only. The permit shall be valid for through paddlers only and shall be valid for 1 night only. To obtain a permit call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-5520.

Bag limits

• 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.
• 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.
• Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.

From FWC Big Bend - Tide Swamp Unit regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) 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 Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) in?

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 Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 51. Nearest towns: Cross City (17 miles), Horseshoe Beach (17 miles), Perry (21 miles) and Mayo (27 miles). FWC's page for the area: Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit).

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Big Bend WMA (Jena Unit) (next to it), Steinhatchee Springs WMA (7.1 miles), Big Bend WMA (Spring Creek Unit) (7.2 miles) and Big Bend WMA (Hickory Mound Unit) (16.9 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) in 2026-27?

Archery Season: September 26-October 25; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 30-November 1; General Gun Season: November 7-January 3. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

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 Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

Do you need a quota permit for Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit)?

Quota permits are not required for this area.

What county is Big Bend WMA (Tide Swamp Unit) in?

Taylor County, measured on FWC's boundary.

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.

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