Kissimmee River PUA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Kissimmee River PUA sets 4 deer seasons (archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on Zone A: August 1-30. The area is 27,264 acres of public hunting land in Okeechobee, Highlands, Osceola and Polk counties, a public use area in FWC's southwest region. Around it, FWC estimates 2,859 deer were taken in DMU C2 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.
Kissimmee River PUAOther FWC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 27,264 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Okeechobee, Highlands, Osceola, Polk |
| Deer management unit | DMU C2, DMU C1, Zone A |
| Deer seasons | Archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | Zone A: August 1-30 |
| General gun | Zone A: September 19-October 18, November 21-January 3 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey, Zone A: February 26-March 1; Spring Turkey, Zone A: March 6-April 11; Youth Turkey, Zone C: March 12-15; Spring Turkey, Zone C: March 20-April 25 |
| 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 (Zone A: Aug. 22-30 only; Zone C: Sept. 19 through Oct. 18) (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length) |
| Deer dogs | Allowed in a dog season or area (rules below) |
| Also on the area | Small game, hog dogs, deer dogs, camping, horseback riding, hiking trails and fishing |
| Nearest towns | Okeechobee (6 mi), Sebring (15 mi) and Lake Placid (16 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Kissimmee River PUA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | Zone A: August 1-30; Zone C: September 19-October 18 |
| Crossbow Season | Zone A: August 31-September 4; Zone C: October 19-23 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | Zone A: September 5-18; Zone C: October 24-November 6 |
| General Gun Season | Zone A: September 19-October 18, November 21-January 3 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey, Zone A: February 26-March 1; Spring Turkey, Zone A: March 6-April 11; Youth Turkey, Zone C: March 12-15; Spring Turkey, Zone C: March 20-April 25 |
| Small Game Season | October 10-March 7 |
| Furbearer Season | Zone A: September 19-October 18, November 21-January 3 |
| Wild Hog-Dog Season | 2026 hunt dates: April 29-May 3, May 22-26; 2027 hunt dates: April 28-May 2, May 28-June 1 |
| Fishing and Frogging | Allowed year round. |
| Trapping | Zone A: September 19-October 18, November 21-January 3 |
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 (Zone A: Aug. 22-30 only; Zone C: Sept. 19 through Oct. 18) (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length).
Source: FWC Kissimmee River 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 Kissimmee River PUA need?
- Quota permits are not required for this area.
What rules apply on Kissimmee River PUA?
Dogs
- Hunting deer with dogs is allowed during general gun season.
- Hunting wild hog with dogs is allowed during general gun, wild-hog dog and small game seasons only.
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Starvation Slough Hunt Area before January 25.
- Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited during the archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons (Note: wild hog may be hunted with dogs during the “overlap” with small game season).
- The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox or coyote with dogs (only as allowed during area seasons) is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.
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.
- Zone A is that portion of the area South of State Road 70 and Zone C is that portion of the area north of State Road 70.
- Harvesting wildlife with any gun, crossbow or bow is prohibited in the northern portion of Bluff Hammock (see map).
- Hunting is prohibited outside of the Kissimmee River Channel, the C-38 Canal and the Istokpoga Canal except from the beginning of rail season through the end of the spring turkey season.
- Hunting is prohibited within 300 yards of any active construction site.
Guns
- Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited.
- In the Starvation Slough Hunt Area, hunting is allowed only with the following guns: only bows may be used during archery, crossbow and general gun seasons; only muzzleloading guns may be used during muzzleloading gun season; only bows and muzzleloading guns may be used during small game season (after the close of general gun season) and only bows and muzzleloading shotguns may be used during spring turkey season.
- Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see furbearer season for exceptions).
- Taking wildlife at night with a gun equipped with a thermal or night-vision device is prohibited.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round.
- Persons must enter and exit the area from the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Kissimmee River, the Istokpoga Canal, the C-38 Canal, the C-41 Canal and at designated entry points.
- 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.
- The use of airboats is prohibited in those areas posted as closed to airboat use.
- The use of tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles and other types of off-road vehicles is prohibited.
Camping
- Camping is allowed by persons possessing a Special Use License. Camping is limited to 8 continuous days.
- Quiet Hours: Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. loud music, barking dogs or any other activity causing excessive noise is prohibited in camping areas. Generators are allowed except as restricted by posted sign.
- Pets must be leashed and under control within camping areas.
Bag limits
- Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Archery season - Daily limit 2 deer, except in Zone A where antlerless deer may only be harvested August 22 -30. Crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general guns seasons - Daily limit 2 antlered deer. 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.
- Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Daily limit 1. B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
From FWC Kissimmee River regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Kissimmee River PUA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Kissimmee River PUA lies in DMU C2, DMU C1 and Zone A. FWC estimates 2,859 deer (1,984 bucks, 875 does) in DMU C2 in the 2023-24 season, 1,174 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 Kissimmee River PUA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Okeechobee County | 15,979 |
| Highlands County | 6,201 |
| Osceola County | 4,485 |
| Polk County | 586 |
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 Kissimmee River PUA?
Highways within 5 miles: US 98, FL 70, FL 60 and FL 700. Nearest towns: Okeechobee (6 miles), Sebring (15 miles), Lake Placid (16 miles) and Avon Park (18 miles). FWC's page for the area: Kissimmee River PUA.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Hickory Hammock WMA (next to it), KICCO WMA (next to it), Kissimmee Chain of Lakes WMA (next to it) and Three Lakes WMA (1 mile).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Kissimmee River PUA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: Zone A: August 1-30; Zone C: September 19-October 18; Crossbow Season: Zone A: August 31-September 4; Zone C: October 19-23; Muzzleloading Gun Season: Zone A: September 5-18; Zone C: October 24-November 6; General Gun Season: Zone A: September 19-October 18, November 21-January 3. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Kissimmee River PUA?
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 (Zone A: Aug. 22-30 only; Zone C: Sept. 19 through Oct. 18) (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 Kissimmee River PUA?
Hunting deer with dogs is allowed during general gun season.
Do you need a quota permit for Kissimmee River PUA?
Quota permits are not required for this area.
What county is Kissimmee River PUA in?
Okeechobee County (15,979 acres), Highlands County (6,201 acres), Osceola County (4,485 acres) and Polk County (586 acres), 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.