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Upper Suwannee River Watershed Initiative |
Steinhatchee Springs Wildlife Management Area spans 20,909 acres of
floodplain forest, cypress swamps, xeric hammocks, and pine plantations
surrounding the Steinhatchee River in Lafayette, Dixie and Taylor
counties. The 28-mile long river originates in the upper reaches of
Mallory Swamp in Lafayette County and discharges to the Gulf of Mexico.
The river goes underground north of Tennille and rises again about a
half-mile south. The area, owned and operated by Suwannee River Water
Management District, is open for public use year-around. Recreational
opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, horseback
riding, hiking, and biking. Wildlife species on the area include
white-tailed deer, feral hogs, turkey, bobcat, and a variety of resident
and migratory birds. District lands have limited access due to their
swampy nature and lack of roads into their interiors. Entrances and
river access points are open for fishing and nature study everyday and
are located off US 51 and the graded roads adjacent to the river. Look
for the brown public river access signs to direct you. Scheduled hunts
include archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, spring turkey, and
small game. A quota hunt permit is required for muzzleloading gun, the
first nine days of the general gun hunt, and the first nine days of the
spring turkey season. Motorized vehicles may be operated only on named
or numbered roads. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, motorcycles or
all terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited. Horses are prohibited during
periods open to hunting. During periods closed to hunting, horses are
restricted to designated roads and trails. Camping is prohibited during
periods open to hunting and by permit only during non-hunting periods.
Call the Suwannee River Water Management District, 386-362-1001, for
permit information.
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