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Citrus Wildlife Management Area

Citrus WMA

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

Citrus Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes nearly 50,000 acres in Citrus and Hernando counties, just west of Inverness. High-quality sandhills support approximately 60 active colonies of red-cockaded woodpeckers, as well as indigo snakes, fox squirrels, gopher tortoise and white-tailed deer. This wildlife management area is one of seven large tracts that make up the Withlacoochee State Forest. Recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking and horseback riding. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. For more detailed information go to Nicole's Law. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.

Add your bird observations to the Citrus WMA eBird Hotspot.

Rules Regarding Dogs

  • For purposes other than hunting (except in areas posted as "Closed to Pets" by the Florida Forest Service), dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Dogs are prohibited in areas posted as "Closed to Public Access" by FWC administrative action. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.
  • Hunting dogs may be taken onto the WMA after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of a season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. one day after the end of the season. Hunting deer with dogs is prohibited.  Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except bird dogs are allowed during the small game season and field trial events.  Field trial events are authorized only in the area east of County Road 491 between Forest Road 16 and County Road 480.  Bird dogs may be trained from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset, October 1-31, in the area east of CR 491 between Forest Road 16 and 20. Dogs are prohibited in areas posted as "Closed to Public Access" by FWC administrative action. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.

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