Devil's Hammock WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Devil's Hammock WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 19-22, 23-27, September 28-October 2. The area is 7,491 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.
Devil's Hammock WMAOther FWC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 7,491 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Levy |
| Deer management unit | DMU C3 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | September 19-22, 23-27, September 28-October 2 |
| General gun | November 7-10, 11-15 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 13-14; Spring Turkey: March 20-23, 24-28 |
| 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 | Small game, horseback riding, fishing, hog hunting, family hunts and night raccoon hunting |
| Nearest towns | Otter Creek (2 mi), Bronson (4 mi) and Chiefland (9 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Devil's Hammock WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 19-22, 23-27, September 28-October 2 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| General Gun Season | November 7-10, 11-15 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 13-14; Spring Turkey: March 20-23, 24-28 |
| Family Hunt | October 10-11, 17-18 |
| Small Game Season | November 16-January 17 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Wild Hog-Still Season | January 18-February 14 |
| Raccoon Season | 2026 hunt dates: June 18-August 30 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only) 2027 hunt dates: June 17-August 29 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and 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, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).
Source: FWC Devil's Hammock 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 Devil's Hammock WMA need?
- Archery - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 3 hunts. Archery - 30, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Family - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Family - 10, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. General Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 30, no-cost daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 2 hunts. Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season.
What rules apply on Devil's Hammock WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
- Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs or waterfowl retrievers 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 and by persons hunting raccoon or opossum at night during the small game season and raccoon season, who are in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the SRWMD.
- 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
- When the check station is staffed, hunters must check in at the check station upon entering, check out upon leaving the area and check all game harvested, except during small game and wild hog-still seasons.
- In addition to checking all game at an area check station (except during small game and wild hog-still seasons), 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 at night with a gun is prohibited (see exception for small game season and raccoon season).
- Taking wildlife at night with a gun equipped with a thermal or night-vision device 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 but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization from the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)(386-362-1001), except during the youth turkey hunt when public access is limited to individuals participating in the hunt.
- Persons must enter and exit the area at designated entrances, except those persons canoeing through the area.
- Vehicles may only be operated on named roads.
- The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, turkey, 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 bag or size limit.
From FWC Devil's Hammock regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Devil's Hammock WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Devil's Hammock 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 Devil's Hammock WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Levy County | 7,491 |
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 Devil's Hammock WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 55, US 19, US 98 and FL 500. Nearest towns: Otter Creek (2 miles), Bronson (4 miles), Chiefland (9 miles) and Archer (10 miles). FWC's page for the area: Devil's Hammock.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Goethe WMA (5 miles), Watermelon Pond WEA (8.4 miles), Gulf Hammock WMA (13.3 miles) and Andrews WMA (13.4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Devil's Hammock WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 19-22, 23-27, September 28-October 2; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; General Gun Season: November 7-10, 11-15. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Devil's Hammock 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 Devil's Hammock WMA?
Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
Do you need a quota permit for Devil's Hammock WMA?
Archery - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 3 hunts. Archery - 30, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Family - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Family - 10, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. General Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 30, no-cost daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions), for each of 2 hunts. Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season.
What county is Devil's Hammock WMA in?
Levy 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.