Santa Fe Swamp WEA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Santa Fe Swamp WEA sets 3 deer seasons (archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun); archery is on September 25-October 23. The area is 5,580 acres of public hunting land in Bradford County, a wildlife and environmental 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.
Santa Fe Swamp WEAOther FWC WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 5,580 acres, measured on FWC's boundary (FWC's regional summary gives 7,326) |
|---|---|
| County | Bradford |
| Deer management unit | DMU C6 |
| Deer seasons | Archery, muzzleloading gun and archery/muzzleloading gun |
| Archery | September 25-October 23 |
| Spring turkey | Spring Turkey: March 20-April 25 |
| 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 | Horseback riding and fishing |
| Nearest towns | Hampton (2 mi), Keystone Heights (3 mi) and Waldo (3 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
| Season | Dates, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | September 25-October 23 |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season | October 24-26 |
| Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season | November 7-January 3 |
| Spring Turkey Season | Spring Turkey: March 20-April 25 |
| Trapping | Prohibited. |
| Fishing | Allowed year round. |
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 Santa Fe Swamp 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 Santa Fe Swamp WEA need?
- Quota permits are not required for this area.
What rules apply on Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
Dogs
- Hunting with dogs is prohibited.
- No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife.
- 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.
- Taking bear with the aid of dogs is prohibited.
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.
- Hunters must physically attach the provided bear harvest tag to their harvested bear prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report the bear they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See the Florida Bear Hunting Guidebook or MyFWC.com for bear harvest reporting instructions.
Guns
- Only bows, air guns, crossbows, airbows, shotguns, muzzleloading guns and falconry may be used for hunting.
- 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 wildlife with air guns is prohibited, except turkey may be taken with pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt or arrow. 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.
- Vehicles are prohibited except in designated parking areas, except for individuals who qualify for AMP or SUV permits. For more information visit the ADA for Hunters web page.
- Persons must enter and exit the area only at designated entrances or via Little Santa Fe Lake.
- Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
- No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
Camping
- Prohibited.
Bag limits
- 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.
- 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 Santa Fe Swamp regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
How many deer are taken around Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Santa Fe Swamp WEA 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 Santa Fe Swamp WEA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Bradford County | 5,566 |
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 Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
Highways within 5 miles: US 301, FL 100, FL 21 and FL 24. Nearest towns: Hampton (2 miles), Keystone Heights (3 miles), Waldo (3 miles) and Starke (8 miles). FWC's page for the area: Santa Fe Swamp.
The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Camp Blanding WMA (2 miles), Hatchet Creek WMA (7.2 miles), Belmore WMA (10.7 miles) and Etoniah Creek WMA (11.2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Santa Fe Swamp WEA in 2026-27?
Archery Season: September 25-October 23; Muzzleloading Gun Season: October 24-26; Archery/Muzzleloading Gun Season: November 7-January 3. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.
What deer are legal on Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
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 Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Santa Fe Swamp WEA.
Do you need a quota permit for Santa Fe Swamp WEA?
Quota permits are not required for this area.
What county is Santa Fe Swamp WEA in?
Bradford County, measured on FWC's boundary.
Get a Florida hunt plan when they open
Florida plans are not open yet. They are coming soon. Join the waiting list; the first 50 hunters get one plan free.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
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.