Wakulla State Forest
Wildlife Management Area

The Wakulla State Forest requires a quota permit for hunting during archery, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey seasons. So with my limited hunting schedule, I haven't tried to get a quoto permit. But from personal experience, when traveling up and down Bloxam Cutoff Road, I have witnessed deer, turkey, and hogs along the sides of the road. I talked to one ole boy, who says he takes his son out there for turkey huntin' 'cause he's had such a high success rate. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that the wildlife management area covers 4,219 acres in the county, adjacent to Wakulla Springs State Park and about six miles south of Tallahassee. This acreage includes the Woodville Tract (74 acres) where hunting is not permitted and the Wakulla Tract (4,145 acres) where hunting is permitted. A portion of the forest is within the groundwater recharge area for Wakulla Springs, one of the largest single vent freshwater springs in the world. Springs and sinkholes dot the landscape and McBride Slough flows through the forest. The slough connects with two small springs, flows under State Road 267, and joins the Wakulla River. 

Past land use practices replaced the upland hardwood forests, sandhills, hammocks, swamps and marshes with pine plantations. Restoring these ecosystems and protecting water resources are the primary land management objectives on this forest. Wildlife species on the area include white-tailed deer, feral hog, turkey, bobcat, gopher tortoise and a variety of resident and migratory birds. 

The area, managed by the Florida Division of Forestry, is open for public use year-around. Recreational opportunities include hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding and bicycling. At present, there are no established trails, but recreation users may roam the 20 miles of service roads not open to vehicles. Picnicking is available at the parking area pavilion located off of SR 267. 

Scheduled hunts include archery, archery/muzzleloading gun, spring turkey, small game and migratory birds. A quota hunt permit is required for archery, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey. Motorized vehicles may operate only on a portion of Rosa Shingles Road and Chattin Road. ATVs are prohibited. There is no camping. Check the Wildlife Management Area regulations for information about hunting seasons. 

(Return to HOME PAGE)