A gobbler track along a dirt road was the only wild turkey sign long-time turkey hunter Peter Updike, had seen in three days of camping and hunting at Osceola Wildlife Management Area. Not the least deterred by a challenging hunt, Updike returned the next day and harvested a mature gobbler.
“Having my efforts pay off where others weren’t hunting gave me a huge sense of accomplishment,” Updike said. “I really enjoy putting my skills to the test on a WMA.”
While he applies for spring turkey quota permits every year, his season always includes hunting areas where a quota permit isn’t required. He likes to hunt the walk-in hunting areas that give him time to enjoy the solitude of turkey woods, hear birds gobble and maybe see a tom put on a show.
Jimmy Ingram, who started turkey hunting in 2005, is also a fan of walk-in hunting areas. He credits preseason prep for putting him in the right place at the right time.
“Hunting non-quota permit areas like J.W. Corbett is where I cut my teeth on turkey hunting. While I always put in for quota hunts, hunting non-quota areas is where I do my learning. I spend a lot of time scouting, listening and walking before the season opens.”
Hunters willing to spend time scouting, putting miles on their boots and embracing patience can find success on walk-in hunting areas. While many WMAs offering spring turkey hunting require a quota permit, there are over 40 areas to hunt even if a hunter didn’t score a quota hunt permit. This is good news for hunters who didn’t apply or draw a spring turkey quota permit.
Hunters selected for quota hunt opportunities this year can extend their season by hunting no-quota permit areas. Because season dates and other rules may vary from statewide seasons and other WMAs, hunters should review the WMA regulations brochure for the area they want to hunt.
Find links to the WMAs listed at MyFWC.com Hunt Guide.
Hunters should check an area’s open/closed status to determine availability to public access, and road closures or updates about check stations or entrances.
No-quota permit WMAs to hunt Osceola wild turkeys are Big Bend WMA-Jena Unit, Big Cypress WMA, Green Swamp WMA, Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA, W. Corbett WMA. Jumper Creek WMA, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area, Kissimmee River Public Use Area, Lake Monroe WMA, Lochloosa WMA, Log Landing WMA, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Raiford WMA, Richloam WMA, Rolling Meadows Unit—Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area, Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area, Three Lakes WMA, Upper Hillsborough WMA and Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA.
No-quota permit WMAs to hunt eastern wild turkeys include Apalachicola WMA, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, Aucilla WMA, Big Bend WMA: Hickory Mound Unit, Snipe Island Unit, Spring Creek Unit, Tide Swamp Unit; Blackwater WMA, Chipola River WMA, Choctawhatchee River WMA, Econfina Creek WMA, Eglin Air Force Base, Escambia River WMA, Lower Econfina River WMA, Mallory Swamp WMA, Ochlockonee River WMA, Osceola WMA, Pine Log WMA, Point Washington WMA, Steinhatchee Springs WMA, Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Talquin WMA, Troy Springs WMA and Yellow River WMA.
While a quota permit isn’t required to hunt these areas, hunters need a hunting license, a turkey permit and a management area permit to hunt wild turkeys at a WMA, unless exempt.
These licenses and permits can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies.