Raiford WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Raiford WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun); archery is on September 26-October 11. The area is 9,253 acres of public hunting land in Bradford and Union counties, a wildlife management area in FWC's north central region. Around it, FWC estimates 8,975 deer were taken in DMU C6 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.
Raiford WMAOther FWC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 9,253 acres, measured on FWC's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Bradford, Union |
| Deer management unit | DMU C6 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun |
| Archery | September 26-October 11 |
| Spring turkey | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-28, April 8-11 |
| 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 | Fishing and hog hunting |
| Nearest towns | Lawtey (2 mi), Raiford (3 mi) and Starke (8 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Raiford WMA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 26-October 11 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season | November 7-15, 26-29, December 26-29 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Youth Turkey: March 12-15; Spring Turkey: March 20-28, April 8-11 |
| Wild Hog-Still Season | January 2-5 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
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 Raiford 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 Raiford WMA need?
- Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits. Archery/Muzzleloading Gun (first 9 days) - 75, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Youth Turkey - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey (first 9 days) - 25, no-cost, quota permits.
What rules apply on Raiford WMA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs are allowed during the archery/muzzleloading gun 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.
Guns
- Only bows, muzzleloading rifles, muzzleloading shotguns and falconry are allowed for hunting.
- 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.
- Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
Access and vehicles
- Public access is prohibited except as allowed throughout the year from 1 1/2 hours before sunrise until 1 1/2 hours after sunset for fishing, during periods open to hunting and the following scouting periods: A. During the weekend prior to each hunt. B. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 25, October 12, 23, 27, November 6, 16, 25, 30, December 25, 30, January 1 and 6. C. From 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset on March 11, 19 and April 7.
- Persons accessing the area for fishing must enter and exit the area at designated entrances (see brochure map).
- Only individuals participating in the hunt may enter the area during periods when quota permits are required.
- During periods open to hunting, hunters are only allowed on the area from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset.
- Hunters must enter and exit the portion of the WMA that is east of County Road 125 and south of the New River via Shack Road gate or 267th Street.
Camping
- Prohibited.
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 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 Raiford regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Raiford WMA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Raiford WMA lies in DMU C6. FWC estimates 8,975 deer (5,636 bucks, 3,339 does) in DMU C6 in the 2023-24 season, 1,298 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 Raiford WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Bradford County | 6,443 |
| Union County | 2,810 |
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 Raiford WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: US 301, FL 121 and FL 16. Nearest towns: Lawtey (2 miles), Raiford (3 miles), Starke (8 miles) and Lake Butler (10 miles). FWC's page for the area: Raiford.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Camp Blanding WMA (4.1 miles), Jennings Forest WMA (6.5 miles), Osceola WMA (10.9 miles) and Santa Fe Swamp WEA (16 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Raiford WMA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 26-October 11; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season: November 7-15, 26-29, December 26-29. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Raiford 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 Raiford WMA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Raiford WMA.
Do you need a quota permit for Raiford WMA?
Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits. Archery/Muzzleloading Gun (first 9 days) - 75, no-cost, quota permits (exemptions allowed). Youth Turkey - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey (first 9 days) - 25, no-cost, quota permits.
What county is Raiford WMA in?
Bradford County (6,443 acres) and Union County (2,810 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.