Perdido River
Wildlife Management Area

When hunting in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area, a quota permit is required during archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, archery/muzzleloading gun, family and spring turkey seasons. Horseback riding is allowed on designed trails. Recreational access is allowed. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says that the 5,456-acre Perdido River Wildlife Management Area includes 15 miles of frontage on the Perdido River, which forms the border between Alabama and Florida, west of Pensacola. Habitats include hardwood swamps in the river floodplain, eight perennial streams, mixed hardwood/pine, and commercial forestland. The latter will be restored, primarily, to native longleaf pine/wiregrass habitat. Seepage slopes, flatwoods and wet prairie areas within the river basin are home to rare pitcher plants. 

The Perdido River discharges into Perdido Bay, a shallow estuary about 15 miles west of Pensacola. Protection of habitat along the river helps protect water quality in the bay, which provides spawning, nursery and adult habitat for a variety of commercially and recreationally important species. The river and its tributaries also support several species of rare and imperiled fish including the saltmarsh topminnow and the Atlantic sturgeon. Wildlife species on the area include white-tailed deer, feral hogs, turkey and a variety of resident and migratory birds. 

This land, acquired in 2006, is owned and managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and is open for public use year-around. Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Future plans call for a recreational water trail with several access points for canoes, kayaks and small boats and designated trails for equestrians and hikers. One canoe/kayak landing and one small boat ramp are currently open for use. Scheduled hunts include archery, muzzleloading gun, small game, family hunt, general gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey. Fishing and frogging are permitted year-round. A quota hunt permit is required for archery, muzzleloading gun, family hunt, general gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey. Motorized vehicles may be operated on named or numbered roads; horses are allowed on designated horse trails. ATVs and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Camping is not currently permitted, but may be in the future. 

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