Hatchet Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Hatchet Creek WMA sets 4 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun, family hunt and general gun); archery is on September 25-27, October 2-4, 9-11. The area is 2,723 acres of public hunting land in Alachua County, a wildlife management area in FWC's north central region. Around it, FWC estimates 8,975 deer were taken in DMU C6 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 Hatchet Creek 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 (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).

Source: FWC Hatchet 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 Hatchet Creek WMA need?

• Archery - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Family - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What rules apply on Hatchet Creek WMA?

27 of the area's rules on dogs, guns, check stations, access, camping and bag limits are word for word the same as on Big Bend WMA (Snipe Island Unit), and are listed there. The rules below are the ones that differ.

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs 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.

Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules

• Hunting on or from the rights-of-way of Boundary Road is prohibited.
• Hunters must enter and exit only at the designated entrance.
• 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.

Access and vehicles

• Vehicle access on named roads is allowed only by individuals participating in the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, spring turkey, and family hunts and only on hunt days and the day before each hunt. During small game season and the veterans and active military waterfowl hunt, vehicles are prohibited except at the designated parking area (see map).
• For vehicle access, persons in possession of a valid quota permit may use the lock combination (found on their quota permit) to unlock the designated entrance gate only on days when motorized vehicles are allowed on the area.
• Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
• Bicycles are allowed only on named roads or designated trails.
• Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.

Bag limits

• Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Archery season - 1 antlered or antlerless deer per person, but no more than 2 deer per quota permit. Muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons - 1 antlered deer per person, but no more than 2 deer per quota permit. Family hunt - 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer per quota permit (not 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.
• Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Archery season - Daily limit 1 per quota permit. Youth turkey - 1 per quota permit. Spring turkey - 1 per person, 2 per quota permit. B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.

From FWC Hatchet Creek regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Hatchet Creek WMA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Hatchet Creek WMA lies in DMU C6. FWC estimates 8,975 deer (5,636 bucks, 3,339 does) in DMU C6 in the 2023-24 season, 1,298 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 Hatchet Creek 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 Hatchet Creek WMA?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 24, FL 26, US 301 and FL 222. Nearest towns: Waldo (5 miles), Gainesville (6 miles), Hawthorne (9 miles) and Hampton (11 miles). FWC's page for the area: Hatchet Creek.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Santa Fe Swamp WEA (7.2 miles), Lochloosa WMA (9.4 miles), Camp Blanding WMA (12 miles) and Etoniah Creek WMA (19.4 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Hatchet Creek WMA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: September 25-27, October 2-4, 9-11; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; Family Hunt: November 7-8; General Gun Season: November 13-15, 27-29. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Hatchet 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 Hatchet Creek WMA?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Hatchet Creek WMA.

Do you need a quota permit for Hatchet Creek WMA?

Archery - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Family - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What county is Hatchet Creek WMA in?

Alachua 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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