Okaloacoochee Slough WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Okaloacoochee Slough WMA sets 4 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and family hunt); archery is on August 1-7, 15-23. The area is 58,665 acres of public hunting land in Hendry and Collier counties, a wildlife management area in FWC's south region. Around it, FWC estimates 2,403 deer were taken in Zone A 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.
Okaloacoochee Slough WMAOther FWC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 58,665 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Hendry, Collier |
| Deer management unit | Zone A |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and family hunt |
| Archery | August 1-7, 15-23 |
| General gun | September 26-29, October 2-6 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: February 26-March 1; Spring Turkey: March 6-9, 12-16 |
| Legal deer | Antlered deer having at least one antler with three or more points (each point being one inch or more in length) OR a main beam of 10 inches or more in length, wild turkey of either sex |
| Deer dogs | No deer dog season on FWC's summary |
| Also on the area | Small game, camping, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing and family hunts |
| Nearest towns | LaBelle (7 mi), Moore Haven (17 mi) and Clewiston (19 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | August 1-7, 15-23 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | September 5-7, 12-14 |
| General Gun Season | September 26-29, October 2-6 |
| Family Hunt | December 5-6 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: February 26-March 1; Spring Turkey: March 6-9, 12-16 |
| Small Game Season | October 10-December 4, December 7-February 7 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Non-Native Reptiles | Allowed year round. |
Legal deer: Antlered deer having at least one antler with three or more points (each point being one inch or more in length) OR a main beam of 10 inches or more in length, wild turkey of either sex.
Source: FWC Okaloacoochee Slough 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 Okaloacoochee Slough WMA need?
- Archery - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Family Hunt - 65, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 75, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
What rules apply on Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
32 of the area's rules on dogs, guns, check stations, access, camping and bag limits are word for word the same as on Dinner Island Ranch WMA, and are listed there. The rules below are the ones that differ.
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except dogs may be used to hunt gray squirrel, migratory birds, quail, rabbits, and non-protected birds during small game season; and doves, snipe, waterfowl, and non-protected birds during their respective statewide seasons.
- 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.
Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules
- During periods when the check station is staffed, hunters must report at the check station upon entering and leaving the area and check all harvested game.
- After being checked at the check station, deer and turkey may be dismembered in the field or camp but each portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name, address and hunting license number of the person who killed it; the date and location at which it was taken; and shall be readily traceable to the skull plate with any attached antler, if applicable, for deer, and the head and beard, if applicable, for turkey.
- In addition to checking all game at an area check station, 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.
Access and vehicles
- Vehicles may only be operated on named or numbered roads and named or numbered trailsexcept for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
- The use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles (side-by-sides), swamp buggies, tracked vehicles, or unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles is prohibited.
- Horses are allowed only on named or numbered roads or trails.
Camping
- Allowed only at designated campsites and is managed by Florida Forest Service.
Bag limits
- Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - Archery season - daily limit 1, season limit 2; Spring turkey season - 1 per youth turkey or spring turkey quota permit. B. Statewide limits - Daily limit 2, all fall seasons combined limit 2, possession limit 2; Spring season daily limit 2, season limit 2, possession limit 2.
- Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24.
From FWC Okaloacoochee Slough regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Okaloacoochee Slough WMA lies in Zone A. FWC estimates 2,403 deer (2,069 bucks, 334 does) in Zone A in the 2023-24 season, 1,270 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 Okaloacoochee Slough WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Hendry County | 53,748 |
| Collier County | 4,917 |
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 Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: FL 29. Nearest towns: LaBelle (7 miles), Moore Haven (17 miles), Clewiston (19 miles) and Estero (27 miles). FWC's page for the area: Okaloacoochee Slough.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Dinner Island Ranch WMA (next to it), Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA (next to it), Dinner Island Ranch WMA (Caracara Unit) (4 miles) and CREW WEA (8.2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Okaloacoochee Slough WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: August 1-7, 15-23; Muzzleloading Gun Season: September 5-7, 12-14; General Gun Season: September 26-29, October 2-6; Family Hunt: December 5-6. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
Antlered deer having at least one antler with three or more points (each point being one inch or more in length) OR a main beam of 10 inches or more in length, wild turkey of either sex, by FWC's brochure. Antlerless deer only where and when a season says so.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Okaloacoochee Slough WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Okaloacoochee Slough WMA?
Archery - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Family Hunt - 65, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 165, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Youth Turkey - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 75, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
What county is Okaloacoochee Slough WMA in?
Hendry County (53,748 acres) and Collier County (4,917 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.