Richloam WMA (Baird Unit): 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on October 31-November 3, November 5-9, 11-17. The area is 11,440 acres of public hunting land in Sumter County, a wildlife management area in FWC's northeast region. Around it, FWC estimates 1,973 deer were taken in DMU B1 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 Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

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 Richloam - Baird Unit 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 Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) need?

• Archery - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Wild Hog-Still - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What rules apply on Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs and retrievers are allowed during the small game season.
• Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited.
• 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 in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.

Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules

• During periods when the check station is staffed, hunters must check in at the check station upon entering and check out upon leaving the area and check all wildlife harvested except during small game season.
• In addition to checking all wildlife at the 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.
• Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, except during the spring turkey season when hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hunting is prohibited on the James A. Van Fleet State Trail.

Guns

• 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.
• Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
• 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 from 4:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. During periods when the area is closed to hunting and scouting, public access other than by foot or bicycle is prohibited.
• All persons shall only enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.
• Motor vehicles are allowed during hunting periods; and for scouting from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. 1 day prior to each archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-still hunt, and from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. 1 day prior to each spring turkey hunt.
• Motor vehicles shall be operated only on roads shown on the brochure map, except for individuals who qualify for AMP permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.

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 - Archery season - 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer per quota permit. Muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons - 1 antlered deer per quota permit. 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 Richloam - Baird Unit regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) lies in DMU B1 and DMU C4. FWC estimates 1,973 deer (1,359 bucks, 614 does) in DMU B1 in the 2023-24 season, 601 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 Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) 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 Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

Highways through the area: FL 50. Nearest towns: Center Hill (3 miles), Mascotte (3 miles), Webster (4 miles) and Groveland (8 miles). FWC's page for the area: Richloam WMA (Baird Unit).

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Richloam WMA (next to it), Green Swamp West Unit (5 miles), Green Swamp WMA (5.2 miles) and Croom WMA (7.5 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 31-November 3, November 5-9, 11-17; Muzzleloading Gun Season: November 21-23; General Gun Season: January 17-20, 22-26. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

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 Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Richloam WMA (Baird Unit).

Do you need a quota permit for Richloam WMA (Baird Unit)?

Archery - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). General Gun - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Wild Hog-Still - 50, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Youth Turkey - 30, no-cost quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.

What county is Richloam WMA (Baird Unit) in?

Sumter 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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