Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract): 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) sets 3 deer seasons (archery, general gun and muzzleloading gun); archery is on October 24-30, October 31-November 8. The area is 2,200 acres of public hunting land in Washington County, a wildlife management area in FWC's northwest region. Around it, FWC estimates 18,958 deer were taken in DMU D1 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.

When are the 2026-27 seasons on Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

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 Econfina Creek - Fitzhugh Carter Tract 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 Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) need?

• September Duck - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Archery - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Small Game (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 3, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Daily Fishing Permits: 20 anglers are allowed on the area per day. 10 daily permits are available first-come, first-serve at the check station; 10 daily permits can be reserved in advance by calling 850-773-2631. If reserved permits are not filled by 11 a.m., they will become available at the check station first-come, first-serve. Permits are issued with specific lake designations, and anglers are allowed to fish only at the lake for which the permit is issued and must have the permit in their possession at all times.

What rules apply on Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, 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.
• Taking bear with the aid of dogs is prohibited.

Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules

• When the check station is staffed, hunters must check in at the check station when entering and check out when leaving the area and check all harvested wildlife.
• On hunt days, the gates are open and the check station is staffed from 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset. Refer to the Fishing and Frogging section for check station hours on days open to fishing.
• In addition to checking all game 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.
• 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 deer or bear with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
• Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with airguns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.

Access and vehicles

• Open to public access year round, except access to improved recreation areas from sunset to sunrise is only allowed for individuals participating in authorized hunting and/or fishing activities or actively launching/retrieving a boat within the area. During periods when the area is closed to hunting and fishing, public access other than by foot is prohibited.
• All persons must enter and exit at the designated entrance (see map).
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
• No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
• Motor vehicles may be operated on named or numbered roads only and only during periods open to hunting or fishing.

Camping

• Prohibited.

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 - 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 Econfina Creek - Fitzhugh Carter Tract regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) lies in DMU D1. FWC estimates 18,958 deer (12,789 bucks, 6,169 does) in DMU D1 in the 2023-24 season, 4,694 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 Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) in?

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 Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 77, FL 20 and FL 279. Nearest towns: Vernon (5 miles), Wausau (9 miles), Ebro (11 miles) and Bonifay (17 miles). FWC's page for the area: Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract).

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Econfina Creek WMA (1.4 miles), Choctawhatchee River WMA (6.3 miles), Pine Log WMA (9 miles) and Lafayette Creek WMA (17.7 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 24-30, October 31-November 8; General Gun Season: November 26-29, January 23-26, 27-31; Muzzleloading Gun Season: December 5-7. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

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 Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract).

Do you need a quota permit for Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract)?

September Duck - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Archery - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Small Game (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 15, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 3, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Daily Fishing Permits: 20 anglers are allowed on the area per day. 10 daily permits are available first-come, first-serve at the check station; 10 daily permits can be reserved in advance by calling 850-773-2631. If reserved permits are not filled by 11 a.m., they will become available at the check station first-come, first-serve. Permits are issued with specific lake designations, and anglers are allowed to fish only at the lake for which the permit is issued and must have the permit in their possession at all times.

What county is Econfina Creek WMA (Fitzhugh Carter Tract) in?

Washington County, measured on FWC's boundary.

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.

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