Lake George WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Lake George WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on September 19-October 18. The area is 36,274 acres of public hunting land in Volusia and Putnam counties, 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.
Lake George WMAOther FWC WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 36,274 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Volusia, Putnam |
| Deer management unit | DMU C4 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun |
| Archery | September 19-October 18 |
| General gun | November 14-17, 18-22, 23-29 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-23, April 1-4, 15-18 |
| 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) |
| Deer dogs | No deer dog season on FWC's summary |
| Also on the area | Small game, camping, horseback riding and fishing |
| Nearest towns | Pierson (2 mi), Crescent City (2 mi) and Pomona Park (5 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Lake George WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 19-October 18 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 30-November 1, November 6-8 |
| General Gun Season | November 14-17, 18-22, 23-29 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-23, April 1-4, 15-18 |
| Small Game Season | November 30-March 7 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Fishing and Frogging | Allowed year round. |
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 Lake George 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 Lake George WMA need?
- Muzzleloading Gun - 250, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun (first 9 days) - 250, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What rules apply on Lake George WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs or retrievers may be used during the general gun season and dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during 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, including bear.
- Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
- Taking bear with the aid of dogs is prohibited.
Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules
- There is no check station on this area.
- 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 must physically attach the provided bear harvest tag to their harvested bear prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report the bear they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See the Florida Bear Hunting Guidebook or MyFWC.com for bear harvest reporting instructions.
Guns
- The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
- Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
- Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer or bear 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 or bear with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
Access and vehicles
- Open to public access year round.
- Motor vehicles shall be operated only on roads shown on the brochure map, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters webpage.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- Use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles or tracked vehicles is prohibited.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters webpage..
Camping
- Camping is prohibited during the general gun season, except camping is allowed year-round at the Volusia County Group Camping campsite, but only by permit from Volusia County at Conservation Lands Camping Reservations or 386-943-7081. During the remainder of the year, camping is allowed, but only at other designated campsites by permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District at http://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/camping/ or (386-329-4401). Permits must be requested in advance of the requested camping dates.
Bag limits
- A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, turkey, bear 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. 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 Lake George regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Lake George WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Lake George 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 Lake George WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Volusia County | 28,218 |
| Putnam County | 8,057 |
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 Lake George WMA?
Highways through the area: FL 40 and FL 11. Nearest towns: Pierson (2 miles), Crescent City (2 miles), Pomona Park (5 miles) and Welaka (6 miles). FWC's page for the area: Lake George.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Lake George WMA (Dexter/Mary Farms Unit) (next to it), Ocala WMA (next to it), Tiger Bay WMA (Rima Ridge Unit) (4.4 miles) and Tiger Bay WMA (5.6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Lake George WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 19-October 18; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 30-November 1, November 6-8; General Gun Season: November 14-17, 18-22, 23-29. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Lake George 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 Lake George WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Lake George WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Lake George WMA?
Muzzleloading Gun - 250, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun (first 9 days) - 250, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
What county is Lake George WMA in?
Volusia County (28,218 acres) and Putnam County (8,057 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.