Watermelon Pond WEA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map

FWC's 2026-27 brochure for Watermelon Pond WEA sets one deer season, archery, on October 17-25. The area is 1,288 acres of public hunting land in Alachua County, a wildlife and environmental area in FWC's north central region. Around it, FWC estimates 14,293 deer were taken in DMU C3 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 Watermelon Pond WEA?

Legal deer: Deer with at least 1 antler having 2 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) and having at least 1 antler 5-inches or more in length, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn).

Source: FWC Watermelon Pond 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 Watermelon Pond WEA need?

• Youth Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).

What rules apply on Watermelon Pond WEA?

Dogs

• Hunting with dogs is prohibited except bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers are allowed during the small game season and on the Gladman Tract (see map) during statewide waterfowl 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.
• 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.
• Quail release participants must enter and exit the area only at a designated quail release entrance (see map).

Guns

• Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
• Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
• Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
• Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.

Access and vehicles

• Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset.
• Persons must enter and exit the area through County Road 337, SW 250th street, or via Watermelon Pond.
• Motorized vehicular access is prohibited, except in designated parking areas.
• Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
• Bicycles and horses may be ridden only on roads, firelanes or designated trails.

Bag limits

• Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits. A. Area limits - 1 deer. 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 Watermelon Pond regulations summary, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How many deer are taken around Watermelon Pond WEA?

FWC does not estimate harvest for each WMA in its statewide survey; it does for each deer management unit. Watermelon Pond WEA lies in DMU C3. FWC estimates 14,293 deer (9,798 bucks, 4,495 does) in DMU C3 in the 2023-24 season, 2,268 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 Watermelon Pond WEA 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 Watermelon Pond WEA?

Highways within 5 miles: FL 45, US 27, US 41 and FL 26. Nearest towns: Archer (2 miles), Newberry (5 miles), Bronson (7 miles) and Trenton (11 miles). FWC's page for the area: Watermelon Pond.

The closest other Florida WMAs with a page here: Devil's Hammock WMA (8.4 miles), Goethe WMA (12.1 miles), Andrews WMA (17.2 miles) and Log Landing WMA (21.1 miles).

Questions hunters ask

When is deer season on Watermelon Pond WEA in 2026-27?

Archery Season: October 17-25. From FWC's 2026-27 brochure for the area.

What deer are legal on Watermelon Pond WEA?

Deer with at least 1 antler having 2 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) and having at least 1 antler 5-inches or more in length, 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 Watermelon Pond WEA?

FWC's summary lists no deer dog season for Watermelon Pond WEA.

Do you need a quota permit for Watermelon Pond WEA?

Youth Turkey - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions). Spring Turkey - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).

What county is Watermelon Pond WEA in?

Alachua 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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