Rock Springs Run WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Rock Springs Run WMA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun); archery is on October 2-4, 9-11. The area is 14,021 acres of public hunting land in Orange, Lake and Seminole 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.

When are the 2026-27 seasons on Rock Springs Run WMA?

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 Rock Springs Run 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 Rock Springs Run WMA need?

• Archery - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Small Game - 50, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).

What rules apply on Rock Springs Run WMA?

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs is prohibited except dogs may be used for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during the small game season. Taking bear with the aid of 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, 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.

Hunters, harvest reporting and other area rules

• Hunters shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances.
• 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 game harvested.
• If hunting on the West BMK portion of the area, when the check station is staffed, hunters must obtain a daily vehicle pass (issued from the check station) in addition to their quota permit and shall enter and exit the area at the designated entrance on Old McDonald Road.
• When the check station is staffed, no deer or turkey shall be dismembered until checked at the check station.
• Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time; 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during small game season.

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. Vehicles are allowed on Old 433 only from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and during established check station hours during hunting seasons. Vehicles are only allowed on all other named or numbered roads two days prior to and during the quota hunts and during the small game season. Outside of established area hunting seasons and scout days, a fee of $3/vehicle is charged; for more information, call the park staff at 407-553-4383 or visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/rock-springs-run-state-reserve and select the “Hours and Fees” link on the right side of the page.
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
• Airboats, all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
• Horses are prohibited during archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons.
• 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 on the WMA.
• Limited equestrian camping is available outside the hunt areas by reservation only. Contact Wekiwa Springs State Park for reservations at 407-553-4383.
• Glampsite Rentals are also available outside the hunt areas by reservation only. Contact Rock Springs Guest Ranch @ https://rockspringsguestranch.com/glampsite-rentals/.

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 and 1 antlerless deer by antlerless deer permit only. 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.
• Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area Limits - Youth Turkey - 1 per quota permit. B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.

From FWC Rock Springs Run regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Rock Springs Run WMA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Rock Springs Run 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 Rock Springs Run 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 Rock Springs Run WMA?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 400, I-4, FL 434 and FL 436. Nearest towns: Apopka (5 miles), Altamonte Springs (5 miles), Lake Mary (5 miles) and Longwood (5 miles). FWC's page for the area: Rock Springs Run.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Seminole Forest WMA (next to it), Seminole Forest WMA (Lake Tracy Unit) (4.2 miles), Ocala WMA (11.2 miles) and Lake Monroe WMA (11.4 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Rock Springs Run WMA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 2-4, 9-11; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26, October 30-November 1; General Gun Season: November 13-15, 20-22. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Rock Springs Run 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 Rock Springs Run WMA?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Rock Springs Run WMA.

Do you need a quota permit for Rock Springs Run WMA?

Archery - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Muzzleloading Gun - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. Small Game - 50, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Youth Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).

What county is Rock Springs Run WMA in?

Orange County (9,403 acres), Lake County (4,387 acres) and Seminole County (230 acres), 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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