Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Michael as the impacts of this storm continue to unfold. Our number one priority is the health and safety of residents and visitors. The FWC and its land management partners continue to assess and restore wildlife management areas (WMAs) in northwest Florida that are closed due to Hurricane Michael.
Check the closed status of our WMAs and other facilities before heading afield. As WMAs and facilities reopen, they will be removed from the list. This webpage will be updated as new information is available, so check back regularly. Be aware that in some cases, WMAs may be open but might have road closures within the area.
Some WMA closures will impact hunts (quota and non-quota). We recognize the importance of these public land opportunities and are working on options for impacted hunts, such as restoring preference points where applicable. The FWC will follow-up with additional details about impacted quota hunts.
Northwest Region closures
The following wildlife management areas (WMAs) are closed until further notice, due to Hurricane Michael. Once reopened, they will be removed from the list. On cooperative WMAs and national wildlife refuges (NWRs), the cooperating agency is responsible for making the decision to reopen their lands. For questions related to the reopening of a cooperative WMA, please contact the lead land manager or NWR office/website for that property.
- Apalachee WMA – Zone A (FWC)
- Apalachicola WMA west of the Ochlockonee River remains closed; portions of the WMA east of the Ochlockonee River are open (US Forest Service)
- Apalachicola River WEA has reopened with the following roads closed to vehicular access: Bay, Bee Apree, Culbert, First Plug, Grassy, Hubcap, Levy, Long, Palm, Pea Patch, Scaffold, and Tall Pines. Van Horn Landing Campground is closed until further notice (FWC)
- Beaverdam Creek WMA (Northwest Florida Water Management District)
- Bradwell Unit of Apalachicola WMA (US Forest Service)
- Chipola River WMA (Northwest Florida Water Management District)
- Econfina Creek WMA (Northwest Florida Water Management District)
- Juniper Creek WMA (US Forest Service)
- St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Tyndall AFB WMA (Department of Defense)