Dunns Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Dunns Creek WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 26-October 11, November 21-29. The area is 3,184 acres of public hunting land in Putnam County, a wildlife management area in FWC's northeast region. Around it, FWC estimates 7,079 deer were taken in DMU C4 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.
Dunns Creek WMAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 3,184 acres, measured on FWC's boundary (FWC's regional summary gives 7,926) |
|---|---|
| County | Putnam |
| Deer management unit | DMU C4 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | September 26-October 11, November 21-29 |
| General gun | December 10-13, 17-20 |
| Spring turkey | March 20-22, April 2-4, 16-18 |
| 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 | Hog hunting, camping, horseback riding, fishing and small game |
| Nearest towns | Pomona Park (3 mi), Palatka (7 mi) and Welaka (7 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Dunns Creek WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 26-October 11, November 21-29 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 31-November 8 |
| General Gun Season | December 10-13, 17-20 |
| Spring Turkey Season | March 20-22, April 2-4, 16-18 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Small Game Season | January 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31 |
| Wild Hog-Still Season | 2026 hunt dates: May 23-31; 2027 hunt dates: May 22-30 |
| Fishing and Frogging | 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 Dunns Creek 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 Dunns Creek WMA need?
- Archery - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Wild Hog-Still - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for 1 hunt.
What rules apply on Dunns Creek WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs other than bird dogs and retrievers is prohibited, except any dog may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during the small game season.
- Hunting wild hog or bear 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, including bear.
- 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
- The gate combination for quota hunts will be listed only on the quota permits.
- 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.
- 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
- The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
- 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 deer or bear with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year-round.
- Vehicle access is prohibited, except persons participating in the hunt are allowed vehicle access.
- Hunters: Vehicular access is allowed during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-still hunt days and the weekend and day before each of these hunts. Vehicle access is also allowed during spring turkey season and the day before each spring turkey hunt. At all other times (including small game season), vehicle access is prohibited.
- Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters webpage..
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
Camping
- Only tent camping is allowed and only at designated campsites.
- Camping is regulated by St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), 386-329-4401. To make a reservation, please visit https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/camping/ in advance of your requested camping dates.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for 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 - Archery season - 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer per quota permit. Muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons - 2 antlered deer per quota permit, but only 1 antlered deer per person. 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 Dunns Creek regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Dunns Creek WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Dunns Creek WMA lies in DMU C4. FWC estimates 7,079 deer (4,969 bucks, 2,110 does) in DMU C4 in the 2023-24 season, 2,046 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 Dunns Creek WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Putnam County | 3,184 |
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 Dunns Creek WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 15, US 17, FL 100 and FL 20. Nearest towns: Pomona Park (3 miles), Palatka (7 miles), Welaka (7 miles) and Crescent City (7 miles). FWC's page for the area: Dunns Creek.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Caravelle Ranch WMA (6.3 miles), Lake George WMA (7.1 miles), Ocala WMA (9.1 miles) and Etoniah Creek WMA (15.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Dunns Creek WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 26-October 11, November 21-29; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 31-November 8; General Gun Season: December 10-13, 17-20. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Dunns Creek 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 Dunns Creek WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Dunns Creek WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Dunns Creek WMA?
Archery - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Spring Turkey - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Wild Hog-Still - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for 1 hunt.
What county is Dunns Creek WMA in?
Putnam 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.