Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area is a 24,000-acre public land located in Florida.


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Summary

The area is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and is known for its abundant wildlife and natural beauty.

One of the main reasons to visit Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area is for its excellent hunting opportunities. The area is home to a variety of game species including deer, turkey, and wild hog. There are also several small game species such as squirrel and rabbit that can be hunted during specific seasons.

In addition to hunting, Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a chance to explore its diverse ecosystems. The area contains a mix of pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and hardwood hammocks. Visitors can hike the many trails that wind through the area, or take a scenic drive along the unpaved roads that run through the management area.

There are also several points of interest to see in Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area. One of the most popular is the Suwannee River, which runs along the western edge of the management area. Visitors can fish, kayak, or simply enjoy the scenic beauty of the river. Another point of interest is the Gulf Hammock Cemetery, which dates back to the late 1800s and contains the graves of many early settlers in the area.

Interesting facts about Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area include the fact that it was once home to the Gulf Hammock Rat Snake, a rare species of snake that has not been seen in the area since the 1950s. The management area is also home to several endangered species including the Eastern indigo snake and the Florida panther.

The best time of year to visit Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you plan to participate in. Hunting season typically runs from September to February, so this is a popular time for hunters to visit. For those interested in hiking or wildlife watching, the cooler months of November to March are ideal. The summer months can be hot and humid, but offer good opportunities for fishing and paddling on the Suwannee River.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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