Resources
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Wildlife Management Areas come in two types. There are WMAs that are public lands held in trust by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, on which hunting is seasonally permitted.
These WMAs tend to have additional recreational features such as multi-use trails, camping areas, boat ramps, and interpretive nature trails.
During hunting seasons, particularly general gun (deer) season in the fall, it’s best to leave these areas to the hunters until the season is over. Hunting seasons can be as short as a weekend or two, or several weeks long.
There are also public lands on which a WMA status is added, such as the Ocala WMA on top of the Ocala National Forest. What this means is that FWC manages the hunting on that public land, but has no say in how recreation is otherwise managed.
Here, it’s more of a personal preference whether you wish to hike, bike, or paddle during posted hunting seasons. If you do, you must wear bright orange like the hunters do so as to be visible while you’re in the woods.
Featured Wildlife Management Areas
Some of our favorite trails are on wildlife management areas. Check ahead before hiking to know when hunters will share the woods.
DuPuis Loop Trail Made up of four stacked loops, the DuPuis Loop Trail lets you tailor your length of hike from 5.3 to 16.5 miles.
Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks 4.4 miles. Winding through a geologically weird and archaeologically significant part of Florida, the most fascinating segment of the Florida Trail is the Aucilla Sinks
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
Florida Trail, Holton Creek Crossing scenic karst landscapes alongside sinkholes and around its namesake spring, the Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides botanical and geologic immersion.
Fort Center Explore Fort Center, a pre-Colombian village lost in Florida’s past – and uncovered again by archaeologists – by following this trail in Fisheating Creek WMA. 
Kratzert Trail For a quick dip into the beauty of the St. Johns River floodplain, the 1.6 mile Kratzert Trail offers a walk beneath ancient oaks and cabbage palms of enormous size.
Prairie Lakes Loop Enjoy the counterpoint of moss-draped oak hammocks and expansive prairies at Prairie Lakes along one of the older and more beloved pieces of the Florida Trail.
Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail Following the north side of a blackwater river toward its headwaters, the Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail meanders though pine flatwoods, shady hammocks, and forested wetlands.