Juniper Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Juniper Creek WMA sets one deer season, family hunt, on November 27-29, December 24-26, December 31-January 2, January 16-18, February 13-15. The area is 914 acres of public hunting land in Calhoun 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.
Juniper Creek WMAOther FWC WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 914 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Calhoun |
| Deer management unit | DMU D1 |
| Deer seasons | Family hunt |
| Spring turkey | March 13-14, 27-28, April 10-11 |
| 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 | Family hunts |
| Nearest towns | Altha (12 mi), Blountstown (12 mi) and Bristol (16 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Juniper Creek WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Family Hunt | November 27-29, December 24-26, December 31-January 2, January 16-18, February 13-15 |
| Youth Turkey Hunt | March 13-14, 27-28, April 10-11 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Fishing and Frogging | Prohibited. |
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 Juniper 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 Juniper Creek WMA need?
- Quota permits are not required for this area; however, a zone tag issued by the U.S. Forest Service is required to participate in each hunt. Five zone tags will be available for each family hunt and 3 zone tags will be available for each youth turkey hunt by random drawing on October 16. Applications are available online at www.fs.usda.gov/apalachicola or you may apply in person at the Apalachicola Ranger District Office, 11152 NW State Route 20, Bristol, Florida (850-643-2282) or at the Wakulla Ranger District Office, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville, Florida (850-926-3561).
What rules apply on Juniper Creek WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting 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
- Each hunter shall obtain a zone tag prior to the hunt and keep it in his or her possession while hunting on the area. No person shall hunt in any zone other than that for which he or she has a zone tag.
- 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.
- 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 airguns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round, except that during periods open to hunting, access is allowed only by individuals participating in the hunt.
- During periods open to hunting and 1 day prior to each hunt, only individuals participating in the hunt may operate motorized vehicles, bicycles, and electric bicycles on the area, and only on named or numbered roads. During all other times, public access other than by foot is prohibited.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles or unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
Camping
- Prohibited.
Bag limits
- Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Family Hunt - 1 antlered or 1 antlerless deer per person per hunt. 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 and armadillo - No size or bag limit.
- Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Youth turkey - 1 per youth hunter per hunt. B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
From FWC Juniper Creek regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Juniper Creek WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Juniper Creek WMA 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 Juniper Creek WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Calhoun County | 914 |
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 Juniper Creek WMA?
Nearest towns: Altha (12 miles), Blountstown (12 miles), Bristol (16 miles) and Wewahitchka (19 miles). FWC's page for the area: Juniper Creek.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Econfina Creek WMA (10.6 miles), Beaverdam Creek WMA (15.2 miles), Apalachicola WMA (15.5 miles) and Telogia Creek WMA (17.8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Juniper Creek WMA in 2026-27?
Family Hunt: November 27-29, December 24-26, December 31-January 2, January 16-18, February 13-15. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Juniper Creek 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 Juniper Creek WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Juniper Creek WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Juniper Creek WMA?
Quota permits are not required for this area; however, a zone tag issued by the U.S. Forest Service is required to participate in each hunt. Five zone tags will be available for each family hunt and 3 zone tags will be available for each youth turkey hunt by random drawing on October 16. Applications are available online at www.fs.usda.gov/apalachicola or you may apply in person at the Apalachicola Ranger District Office, 11152 NW State Route 20, Bristol, Florida (850-643-2282) or at the Wakulla Ranger District Office, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville, Florida (850-926-3561).
What county is Juniper Creek WMA in?
Calhoun 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.