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Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area

Four Creeks

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

The Four Creeks Wildlife Management Area (WMA) occupies 13,060 acres within the 13,147-acre Four Creeks State Forest, located just north of Jacksonville in southern Nassau County. Within the region, the forest provides valuable flood and water quality protection and provides healthy, diverse habitats for wildlife and nature-based recreational opportunities. The area is named for the four creeks associated with the property: Alligator, Thomas, Boggy and Plummer creeks, which join together to form the headwaters of the Nassau River. The Nassau River borders the southeastern portion of the property and flows into Nassau Sound and then into the Atlantic Ocean. Thomas Creek and its associated floodplain form the southern border of the WMA.

Much of the upland portions consist of pine flatwoods. Wetland habitats include swamps, cypress domes and tidal marsh. The floodplain swamps border the creeks and are dominated by cypress, tupelo and titi. The Florida Forest Service manages the area using a combination of timber harvesting, groundcover restoration, reforestation and controlled burns. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission administers hunting related activities. Wildlife is abundant on the area and includes deer, turkey, wild hog, gopher tortoise, wading birds and numerous species of resident and migratory songbirds. Turtles and otters may occur along the creek.

Add your bird observations to the Four Creeks WMA eBird Hotspot.

Recreational opportunities on the area include hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, fishing and paddling. Currently, there are no designated trail systems, but twenty-four miles of unpaved roads are open for exploration. In rainy weather, some roads may become impassable for two-wheel drive vehicles. Camping is not permitted. Trail systems and public camping facilities may be developed by the Florida Forest Service within the next five years. Several natural boat landings on the creeks make it easy to launch canoes and kayaks. A public boat ramp is located on the Nassau River, at the end of Edwards Road, off of A1A.

Between September and April, high-quality quota hunts take place on limited days. They include seasons for archery, muzzleloading gun, family hunt, general gun, small game, spring turkey and migratory bird. Fishing is permitted year-round. The WMA is open to the public from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset, year-round. Check the area regulations (link below) for more detailed information about hunting seasons.

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. 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 with dogs is prohibited, except with bird dogs during the small game season and waterfowl retrievers during any waterfowl season. 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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