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Tate's Hell
Wildlife Management Area
Hunting in Tate's Hell can be an adventure. As the name implies, there's a story behind this place. But I won't get into that right now. Let's leave it to say that when you travel down Highway 98 and you see the bear crossing sign,
they mean it! But if you want to get in amongst 'em, this can be a mecca for deer and turkey if you put in some time.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that Tate’s Hell WMA extends over more than 187,700 acres in Franklin and Liberty counties near Carrabelle. It is bordered by Highway 98 on the south and Apalachicola National Forest to the north and west. The wildlife management area is part of the close to 200,000-acre Tate’s Hell State Forest.
In the 1960s and 1970s the previous owners developed this area as a commercial forest, digging drainage ditches and building roads that significantly altered the hydrology of the forest. In the early 1990s the state began purchasing the land to protect Apalachicola Bay. Since then, the Division of Forestry has prescribe burned most of the pinelands, re-established the native longleaf pine over a major portion of the forest, and worked to restore large areas of grassy savannahs. Several stands of the distinctive "dwarf" cypress exist on the forest. Visit the Ralph G. Kendrick viewing tower to observe these unusual trees. To reach the viewing tower, from US Highway 98, go north on US Highway 65 for six miles, turn right onto North Road. The boardwalk will be on your right, 3.4 miles down North Road. The High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail may be accessed off of US Highway 98, four miles west of Carrabelle. Tate’s Hell is home to many wildlife species including a large population of Florida black bears, bald eagles, and red-cockaded woodpeckers. The terrain is wet and boggy, and many roads require four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Biking and horseback riding are allowed on any open road in the forest unless posted otherwise. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites by permit from the Division of Forestry. The New River, Crooked River, and Whiskey George Creek offer boating, fishing and paddling opportunities. This area is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Tate's Hell WMA REGULATIONS Summary
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