Wildlife Management Area · FL

Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area Hunting

Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area

Florida

713,154 acresManaged by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Explore 713,154 acres of public hunting land in Florida. View the property boundary, hunting seasons and regulations, map information and official sources.

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Hunting regulations

Official regulations ↗

Current season: 2026-2027. Verify current regulations and closures before hunting.

Species & Seasons

DeerMultiple seasonsArchery · General Gun · Muzzleloader

Archery Season

Details & restrictions

Antlered deer having at least one antler measuring five inches or more in length with two or more points with each point being one inch or more in length (except in the Corn Dance unit where only antlered deer with at least one antler having four or more points with each point being one inch or more in length may be harvested)

September 5–October 4 (all units except Loop and Stairsteps) October 10–25 , November 14–January 3 (in the Deep Lake Unit only)

General Gun Season

November 14–January 3 (except in the Deep Lake, Loop, and Stairsteps units)

Deer having at least one antler measuring five inches or more in length with two or more points

Details & restrictions

each point being one inch or more in length (except in the Corn Dance Unit where only antlered deer with at least one antler having four or more points with each point being one inch or more in length may be harvested)

Muzzleloading Gun Season

October 10–25 (except in the Deep Lake, Loop, and Stairsteps units)

Details & restrictions

Antlered Deer having at least one antler measuring five inches or more in length with two or more points with each point being one inch or more in length (except in the Corn Dance Unit where only antlered deer with at least one antler having four or more points with each point being one inch or more in length may be harvested)

TurkeyYouth Turkey: February 26–March 1 Spring Turkey: March 6–April 11Spring

Spring Turkey Season

Youth Turkey: February 26–March 1 Spring Turkey: March 6–April 11

Other Hunt Periods2 periods

Area-wide hunt periods not tied to one species.

Non-Native Reptiles

Allowed year round.

Details & restrictions

native reptiles - 1. Non-native reptiles may be taken by methods other than firearms year-round. 2. Firearms (as allowed by season) may be used to take non-native reptiles only during open hunting seasons summarized in this brochure. 3. Conditional and Prohibited reptiles shall not be removed from the area alive. 4. Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. 5. Please report take and sightings of non-native reptiles at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681) or online at IveGot1.org . 6. Taking non-native reptiles with dogs is prohibited.

Small Game Season

Details & restrictions

1. Dogs may be used to hunt gray squirrel, migratory birds in season, non-protected birds, quail, and rabbits only. 2. In the Deep Lake Unit, only muzzleloading guns, bows, or falconry may be used. 3. Hunting with centerfire rifles is allowed in the Addition, Bear Island, Corn Dance, and Turner River units. 4. Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited in the Deep Lake, Loop, and Stairsteps units.

November 9–February 1 (Loop and Stairsteps units) January 4–February 1 (Addition, Bear Island, Corn Dance, Deep Lake, and Turner River units)

General Restrictions4 items

Archery Season: 1. Only archery equipment may be used for hunting, except centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds (except in the Deep Lake Unit). Hunting with crossbows, airbows, or bows equipped with a draw-lock device is prohibited (except by Persons With Disabilities Crossbow Permit). 2. Hunting deer in the Loop and Stairsteps units is prohibited.
General Gun Season: 1. See "Archery Season" for regulations regarding deer hunting in the Deep Lake Unit during these dates. 2. Hunting deer in the Loop and Stairsteps units is prohibited.
Muzzleloading Gun Season: 1. Hunting with archery equipment or guns other than muzzleloading guns is prohibited, except centerfire shotguns are allowed for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds. 2. See "Archery Season" for regulations related to hunting in the Deep Lake Unit during these dates. 3. Hunting deer is prohibited in the Loop and Stairsteps units.
Spring Turkey Season: 1. In the Deep Lake Unit, only muzzleloading guns, bows, or falconry may be used. 2. Legal shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. 3. Hunting other animals is prohibited. 4. Only bows, crossbows, PCP airguns propelling a bolt or arrow, and centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns using #2 or smaller shot size may be used for hunting. 5. During the youth turkey hunt, only youth under 16 years of age may hunt and must be under the direct physical supervision of an adult not younger than 18 years of age. Adults with required licenses and permits for taking wild turkeys may participate when in the presence of a youth but may not harvest a wild turkey 6. An annual hunting license is required for all nonresidents to hunt wild turkey. 7. In non-quota units, only resident turkey hunters are allowed to hunt wild turkey from March 7-15.

Official Sources1 source