|
Jean McCollom |
Okaloacoochee Slough WMA encompasses nearly 35,000 acres in
Collier and Hendry counties on CR 832, 3.5 miles from SR 29
between LaBelle and Immokalee. Although a cooperator on the
majority of this area, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission is the lead management agency on close
to 3,000 acres. The slough itself extends northward to the
Caloosahatchee River and southward about 50 miles into Big
Cypress Swamp. The WMA, with its diverse
natural communities—slough, marsh, cypress, wet prairie, pine
flatwoods, oak hammocks, and oak-palm hammocks—provides
important habitat for the endangered
Florida panther and the
crested caracara. Deer, hog, small game, and turkey hunting
are all excellent: quota hunt permits are required to hunt these
game. Small game and dove hunts are open to all with a
management area permit. Camping is permitted year-round by all at one
campground and there are two additional campgrounds for hunters
with quota permits during hunting seasons. There is also a
walk-in campground with two campsites which is open except
during quota hunts. There are 39 miles of
trails open for wildlife viewing, hiking, non-motorized biking,
and horseback riding. This area is part of the Great
Florida Birding Trail. Fishing is available in the canals and
some small borrow pits, but is not exceptional. Paddling is a
possibility, but areas to paddle are limited, and poling is
usually necessary except during the height of the wet season.
There are no designated launch areas. |
