Cedar Key Scrub WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Cedar Key Scrub WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 26-October 11. The area is 4,730 acres of public hunting land in Levy 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.
Cedar Key Scrub WMAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 4,730 acres, measured on FWC's boundary (FWC's regional summary gives 6,480) |
|---|---|
| County | Levy |
| Deer management unit | DMU C3 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | September 26-October 11 |
| General gun | November 7-15 |
| Spring turkey | No turkey season on the brochure |
| Legal deer | 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, 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 | Horseback riding and fishing |
| Nearest towns | Cedar Key (next to it), Otter Creek (14 mi) and Yankeetown (18 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 26-October 11 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| General Gun Season | November 7-15 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Fishing | Allowed year round. |
Legal deer: 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, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).
Source: FWC Cedar Key Scrub 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 Cedar Key Scrub WMA need?
- Quota permits are not required for this area.
What rules apply on Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited.
- 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 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.
Guns
- Hunting on or from the rights-of-way of SR 24 and CR 347 is prohibited.
- 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 deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round.
- Vehicles are prohibited, except in designated parking areas.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
- Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
Camping
- Prohibited.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, 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 Cedar Key Scrub regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Cedar Key Scrub 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 Cedar Key Scrub WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Levy County | 4,730 |
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 Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 24. Nearest towns: Cedar Key (next to it), Otter Creek (14 miles), Yankeetown (18 miles) and Chiefland (20 miles). FWC's page for the area: Cedar Key Scrub.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Gulf Hammock WMA (13.2 miles), Devil's Hammock WMA (16 miles), Big Bend WMA (Jena Unit) (18.8 miles) and Goethe WMA (19.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Cedar Key Scrub WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 26-October 11; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; General Gun Season: November 7-15. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
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, 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 Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Cedar Key Scrub WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Cedar Key Scrub WMA?
Quota permits are not required for this area.
What county is Cedar Key Scrub WMA in?
Levy County, measured on FWC's boundary.
Get a Florida hunt plan when they open
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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.