Chassahowitzka WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Chassahowitzka WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 19-October 18. The area is 27,946 acres of public hunting land in Hernando County, a wildlife management area in FWC's southwest 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.
Chassahowitzka WMAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 27,946 acres, measured on FWC's boundary (FWC's regional summary gives 34,597) |
|---|---|
| County | Hernando |
| 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 26-28, April 9-11, 23-25 |
| 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 |
| Deer dogs | Allowed in a dog season or area (rules below) |
| Also on the area | Hog hunting, hog dogs, deer dogs, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing and night raccoon hunting |
| Nearest towns | Brooksville (10 mi), Crystal River (14 mi) and Inverness (14 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Chassahowitzka WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 19-October 18 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| General Gun Season | November 7-January 3 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 26-28, April 9-11, 23-25 |
| Wild Hog-Dog Season | January 15-17, 22-24 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Raccoon Season | 2026 hunt dates: May 7-31 (1½ hours before sunset on Thursdays until 1½ hours after sunrise on Sundays only); 2027 hunt dates: February 4-28, May 6-30 (1½ hours before sunset on Thursdays until 1½ hours after sunrise on Sundays only) |
| Fishing and Frogging | 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.
Source: FWC Chassahowitzka 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 Chassahowitzka WMA need?
- Archery (first 9 days) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Muzzleloading Gun - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). General Gun (first 9 days) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Wild Hog-Dog - 75, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What rules apply on Chassahowitzka WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting deer with dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less is allowed in Zone B during general gun season only.
- 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.
- Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited during all seasons except wild hog-dog season.
- During wild hog-dog and raccoon seasons, dogs of any size are allowed in Zones B and C.
- 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.
Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules
- During periods when the check station is staffed, hunters must check in at the check station upon entering and check out upon leaving the area and check all game harvested, except during raccoon season.
- 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.
- Before hunting in Zone A, all hunters are required to obtain and sign a Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge permit (“refuge permit”). Refuge permits are free and available by obtaining a “Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations” brochure by clicking “Hunt Regulations” at fws.gov/chassahowitzka.
- That portion of the area east of U.S. Hwy 19 (Annutteliga Hammock) is open for hunting only during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, spring turkey and migratory bird seasons. Only small game (gray squirrel, rabbit, quail and migratory birds in season) may be hunted, except during the spring turkey season when only bearded turkey or gobblers may be hunted. Only those legal methods of take allowed during each particular season may be used. Only bird dogs or retrievers are allowed.
Guns
- Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see raccoon season for exception).
- Taking wildlife at night with a gun equipped with a thermal or night-vision scope 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. During non-hunting periods, access is allowed only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset. During hunting periods, access is allowed any time.
- All persons must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.
- Vehicles may be operated only on named roads, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
Camping
- Prohibited.
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 - See statewide limits below. The take of antlerless deer is prohibited on this area. 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 Chassahowitzka regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Chassahowitzka WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Chassahowitzka 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 Chassahowitzka WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Hernando County | 27,936 |
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 Chassahowitzka WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 55, US 19, FL 589 and US 98. Nearest towns: Brooksville (10 miles), Crystal River (14 miles), Inverness (14 miles) and Port Richey (19 miles). FWC's page for the area: Chassahowitzka.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Citrus WMA (next to it), Weekiwachee WMA (next to it), Homosassa WMA (2 miles) and Croom WMA (11.8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Chassahowitzka WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 19-October 18; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; General Gun Season: November 7-January 3. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Chassahowitzka 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, by FWC's brochure. Antlerless deer only where and when a season says so.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Chassahowitzka WMA?
Hunting deer with dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less is allowed in Zone B during general gun season only.
Do you need a quota permit for Chassahowitzka WMA?
Archery (first 9 days) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Muzzleloading Gun - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). General Gun (first 9 days) - 150, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Wild Hog-Dog - 75, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What county is Chassahowitzka WMA in?
Hernando County, 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.