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Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area

Jennings WMA

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in northwest Clay County, near the town of Middleburg. These nearly 24,000 acres protect the headwaters of Black Creek and contain excellent examples of sandhills and seepage slopes. Part of Jennings was selected as an Upland Ecosystem Restoration Project. This means that special funding and intensive habitat management practices are underway to restore a 5,000 acre area for upland species such as the gopher tortoise and the northern bobwhite. Multiple agencies are cooperating in this effort which will have long term benefits to many different wildlife and plant species. On the area hunt map this is called the Quail Enhancement Area.

Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, primitive camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and canoeing are allowed, and there are four canoe launch sites. Animals that make their home here include the green tree frog, gray fox, hawks, white-tailed deer, turkey, eastern cottontail, northern bobwhite and pine warbler and other songbirds. Along the Black Creek are raccoon, otter, alligator and wading birds. Black Creek is also home to the rare and imperiled Black Creek Crayfish.  This area is a site on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. 

Add your bird observations to the Jennings State Forest eBird Checklist.

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.

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 that bird dogs may be used in the Normandy Unit during bird dog training season and in the remainder of the area during the small game, quail and waterfowl seasons. 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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