Half Moon WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Half Moon WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on October 9-11, 16-18. The area is 9,516 acres of public hunting land in Sumter 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.

When are the 2026-27 seasons on Half Moon WMA?

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 by antlerless deer permit only (each antlerless deer permit allows the take of only 1 doe or 1 buck with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).

Source: FWC Half Moon 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 Half Moon WMA need?

• Archery - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Small Game - 50, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Wild Hog-Still - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What rules apply on Half Moon WMA?

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except any dog may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during the small game season. Hunting wild hog 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

• 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 wildlife harvested.
• In addition to checking all wildlife at the 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.
• During periods when the check station is staffed, no deer, wild hog or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station.
• Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the small game season when hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Guns

• 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.
• Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.

Access and vehicles

• Open to public access year round except during the youth turkey hunt when public access is limited to only individuals participating in the hunt. During non-hunting periods, public access other than on foot, bicycle or horse is prohibited. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
• Vehicles are allowed during hunting periods; and for scouting from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. 1 day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-still hunt, and from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. 1 day prior to each spring turkey hunt.
• 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.
• Vehicles must be parked within 25 feet of a named road.
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.

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 - 1 antlered deer per quota permit and 1 antlerless deer per antlerless deer permit. 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 Half Moon regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Half Moon WMA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Half Moon 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 Half Moon WMA 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 Half Moon WMA?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 44. Nearest towns: Inverness (6 miles), Coleman (9 miles), Dunnellon (12 miles) and Belleview (13 miles). FWC's page for the area: Half Moon.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Potts WMA (next to it), Flying Eagle WMA (next to it), Ross Prairie WMA (3.2 miles) and Lake Panasoffkee WMA (3.8 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Half Moon WMA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 9-11, 16-18; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 30-November 1; General Gun Season: November 14-16, 20-22. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Half Moon 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 by antlerless deer permit only (each antlerless deer permit allows the take of only 1 doe or 1 buck 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 Half Moon WMA?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Half Moon WMA.

Do you need a quota permit for Half Moon WMA?

Archery - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Small Game - 50, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Wild Hog-Still - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What county is Half Moon WMA in?

Sumter 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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