KICCO WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for KICCO WMA sets 2 deer seasons (archery and muzzleloading gun); archery is on September 19-20, 26-27, October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18. The area is 7,612 acres of public hunting land in Polk and Osceola counties, a wildlife management area in FWC's southwest region. Around it, FWC estimates 4,506 deer were taken in DMU C1 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 KICCO 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).

Source: FWC KICCO 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 KICCO WMA need?

• Archery - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 5 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 5 hunts.

What rules apply on KICCO WMA?

Dogs

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

• 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 may use the cleaning station located at the main entrance. No carcasses or entrails shall be left at or within 200 yards of any campsite or camp facility (Please use the designated disposal site west of the cleaning station).

Guns

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

Access and vehicles

• Open to public access year round. Public access other than on foot or bicycle is prohibited except by persons that have obtained a vehicle access authorization from the South Florida Water Management District.
• The entrance gate is locked at all times and a combination is necessary to access the property with a motor vehicle
• Camping, vehicle authorization, gate combinations, and horses require a Special Use License (SUL) from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). To apply and receive an SUL by email, visit www.SFWMD.gov/sul. To receive an SUL by US Mail, contact SFWMD at 1-800-432-2045 (allow 7-10 business days). All vehicles used under an SUL must have the SUL reference number displayed on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
• All persons must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance or at any location along the Kissimmee River/C-38 Canal.
• Vehicles may be operated only on named roads and must be parked in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of an open road, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.

Camping

• Prohibited except at designated campsites by persons possessing a Special Use License. Camping with a special use license is limited to 8 continuous days.
• Trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may only be used for camping at the Spoil Area and Town of KICCO campgrounds. At all other campgrounds, camping is limited to tents only.
• Fires are prohibited except within a fire ring provided by the District at a campsite.

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 - See statewide limits below. B. Statewide limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily 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 KICCO regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around KICCO WMA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. KICCO WMA lies in DMU C1 and DMU C2. FWC estimates 4,506 deer (3,179 bucks, 1,327 does) in DMU C1 in the 2023-24 season, 1,239 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 KICCO 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 KICCO WMA?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 60. Nearest towns: Frostproof (19 miles), Hillcrest Heights (20 miles), Sebring (21 miles) and Avon Park (21 miles). FWC's page for the area: KICCO.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Kissimmee River PUA (next to it), Kissimmee Chain of Lakes WMA (next to it), Three Lakes WMA (1 mile) and Three Lakes WMA (Prairie Lakes Unit) (4.3 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on KICCO WMA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: September 19-20, 26-27, October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-25, October 31-November 1. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on KICCO 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), by FWC's brochure. Antlerless deer only where and when a season says so.

Can you hunt deer with dogs on KICCO WMA?

Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

Do you need a quota permit for KICCO WMA?

Archery - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 5 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 5 hunts.

What county is KICCO WMA in?

Polk County (7,308 acres) and Osceola County (297 acres), 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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