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Croom Wildlife Management Area

Open/Closed Status

Check our Notices for the open/closed status of Wildlife Management Areas.

Notices
Croom WMA

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

Croom Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Hernando and Sumter counties northeast of Brooksville, and encompasses more than 20,000 acres. This tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest lies along 13 winding miles of the Withlacoochee River and includes Silver Lake. Cypress and large expanses of longleaf pine dominate this forest. A wide variety of recreational activities are available, including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. There are numerous recreational trails on the area: hiking (31 miles), bicycling (64 miles), horseback riding (43 miles).  The paved Withlacoochee State Trail goes through the area.  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. Other recreation opportunities include a dirt bike and ATV area, canoeing and boating (three boat ramps), and camping (five areas). Wildlife that may be seen on Croom WMA include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, fox squirrels, alligators and swallow-tailed kites. Most of the roads on the area are very sandy and unimproved and four wheel drive is recommended.

Record your bird observations in the Withalacoochee State Forest - Croom Tract eBird Hotspot.

Rules Regarding Dogs

  • For purposes other than hunting, 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 and "Closed to Pets" as posted by the Florida Forest Service. 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 are prohibited within the Croom Motorcycle Area and only bird dogs are allowed north of Croom Road.
  • 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 or wild hog with dogs is prohibited. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except small game may be hunted with bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season, and dogs of any size are allowed during the fox, raccoon, opossum and bobcat season. Dogs are prohibited with the Croom Motorcycle Area and only bird dogs are allowed north of Croom Road. Dogs are prohibited in areas posted as "Closed to Public Access" by FWC administrative action and "Closed to Pets" as posted by the Florida Forest Service. 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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