Big Shoals WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Big Shoals WMA sets 2 deer seasons (archery and muzzleloading gun); archery is on September 28-October 3, October 5-10, 12-17. The area is 2,160 acres of public hunting land in Hamilton County, a wildlife management area in FWC's north central region. Around it, FWC estimates 8,975 deer were taken in DMU C6 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.
Big Shoals WMAOther FWC WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 2,160 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton |
| Deer management unit | DMU C6 |
| Deer seasons | Archery and muzzleloading gun |
| Archery | September 28-October 3, October 5-10, 12-17 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 25-27, April 15-17 |
| 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, horseback riding, hiking trails and fishing |
| Nearest towns | White Springs (next to it), Lake City (10 mi) and Jasper (14 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Shoals WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 28-October 3, October 5-10, 12-17 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 30-November 1, November 6-8 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 25-27, April 15-17 |
| Small Game Season | November 14-March 7 |
| 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 Big Shoals 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 Shoals WMA need?
- Archery - 35, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
What rules apply on Big Shoals WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with 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.
- 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 (except in areas posted as “Closed to Pets”), but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
- When on Big Shoals State Park, dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times.
Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules
- Hunting is prohibited in Big Shoals State Park (see map).
- Hunters must enter and exit the area only at the area entrance on CR 135 or at the Big Shoals State Park entrance on Old Godwin Bridge Road (SE 94th Street). Hunters may not enter the area at the Big Shoals State Park entrance on CR 135.
- Hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report their each 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 at night with a gun 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 bear with rimfire or nonexpanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
- Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round but only from 8 a.m. until sunset, except during hunting seasons when access is allowed only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset.
- An entrance fee is required when entering Big Shoals State Park.
- Vehicular access for recreational use other than hunting is off of CR 135 (State Park Entrance: Little Shoals) and Old Godwin Bridge Road (State Park Entrance: Big Shoals).
- Vehicles may be operated only on portions of numbered roads designated as “improved roads” (see map), except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
- The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit 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. 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 Big Shoals regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Big Shoals WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Big Shoals WMA lies in DMU C6. FWC estimates 8,975 deer (5,636 bucks, 3,339 does) in DMU C6 in the 2023-24 season, 1,298 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 Shoals WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Hamilton County | 2,160 |
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 Shoals WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 100, FL 25, US 41 and I-75. Nearest towns: White Springs (next to it), Lake City (10 miles), Jasper (14 miles) and Live Oak (15 miles). FWC's page for the area: Big Shoals.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Osceola WMA (4.3 miles), Cypress Creek WMA (10.3 miles), Holton Creek WMA (16.1 miles) and Suwannee Ridge WEA (18.9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Shoals WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 28-October 3, October 5-10, 12-17; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 30-November 1, November 6-8. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Big Shoals 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 Big Shoals WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Big Shoals WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Big Shoals WMA?
Archery - 35, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
What county is Big Shoals WMA in?
Hamilton 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.