Lower Econfina River WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Lower Econfina River WMA sets 2 deer seasons (archery and muzzleloading gun); archery is on October 10-25, November 2-15. The area is 2,584 acres of public hunting land in Taylor County, a wildlife management area in FWC's north central region. Around it, FWC estimates 14,293 deer were taken in DMU C3 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 Lower Econfina River WMA?

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) through October 25.

Source: FWC Lower Econfina 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 Lower Econfina River WMA need?

• Quota permits are not required for this area.

What rules apply on Lower Econfina River WMA?

Dogs

• Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
• Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less, is prohibited except during small game season when any dog may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds, and by persons in possession of a SUA from the SRWMD that are hunting raccoon or opossum at night (see small game season and raccoon season for details).
• 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 (except in areas posted as “Closed To Pets”) with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.

Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules

• All 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 (see exception for small game season and raccoon season).
• Taking wildlife at night with a gun equipped with a thermal or night-vision device 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 Regulations handbook for details.

Access and vehicles

• Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless in possession of a Special Use Authorization (SUA) from the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), except during the youth turkey hunt when public access is limited to individuals participating in the hunt or using a boat ramp or canoe launch to access the Econfina River.
• Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
• All-terrain vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
• No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.

Bag limits

• Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Archery season - See statewide limits below. During the period from October 10-25, that limit may include any combination of antlered and antlerless deer. Only antlered deer may be hunted after October 25. Muzzleloading gun season - See statewide limits below. 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 Lower Econfina River regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Lower Econfina River WMA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Lower Econfina River WMA lies in DMU C3. FWC estimates 14,293 deer (9,798 bucks, 4,495 does) in DMU C3 in the 2023-24 season, 2,268 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 Lower Econfina River 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 Lower Econfina River WMA?

Highways through the area: FL 30 and US 98. Nearest towns: Perry (14 miles), St. Marks (20 miles), Greenville (23 miles) and Monticello (26 miles). FWC's page for the area: Lower Econfina River.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Big Bend WMA (Snipe Island Unit) (2 miles), Aucilla WMA (4 miles), Big Bend WMA (Hickory Mound Unit) (4.8 miles) and Middle Aucilla WMA (7 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Lower Econfina River WMA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 10-25, November 2-15; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 30-November 1. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Lower Econfina River 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) through October 25, by FWC's brochure. Antlerless deer only where and when a season says so.

Can you hunt deer with dogs on Lower Econfina River WMA?

Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited.

Do you need a quota permit for Lower Econfina River WMA?

Quota permits are not required for this area.

What county is Lower Econfina River WMA in?

Taylor 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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