Goethe WMA consists of more than 45,000 acres in southeastern Levy County, south of Bronson. The large tract of old-growth longleaf pines on the area is home to the rare red-cockaded woodpecker, as well as the gopher tortoise, Sherman's fox squirrel, Florida black bear, and bald eagle. Within Goethe are more than 15 natural community types, including cypress swamps and sandhills. An extensive trail system may be accessed at three separate trailheads, and recreational activities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. Camping is prohibited during periods when the area is open to hunting. During periods closed to hunting, camping is by special permit only from the Division of Forestry. View hunting regulations for Goethe State Forest here.

Goethe WMA: (48,442 acres in Levy County)
Habitat: pine flatwoods, cypress swamp and creekside hardwoods. Deer Hunting, Good; Hog Hunting, Fair; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, Prohibited when open to hunting; Dogs, Yes/General Gun-Dog Hunt; ATVs, Prohibited; No quota permit required for archery and small game seasons. Quota permit required for muzzleloading gun, general gun-still hunt, general gun-dog hunt and spring turkey seasons.

Suwannee River Water Management District

Devil's Hammock WMA is comprised of more than 7,000 acres in north central Levy County along the Waccasassa River and Otter Creek. The land cover consists of bottomland hardwoods and cutover pine and cypress forests. There are two canoe launches on the area. Other recreational opportunities include hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting. Wildlife species on this area include kingfisher, wood stork, river otter, and black racer. Camping is prohibited during periods open to hunting, and is restricted to designated sites by group camping permit only from the Levy County Commission during periods closed to hunting. For information, please call (352) 486-5218. White-tailed deer, feral hogs, small game, and turkey are plentiful. View hunting regulations for Devil's Hammock Wildlife Management Area here.

Devil's Hammock WMA: (7,635 acres in Levy County)
Habitat: bottomland hardwoods, cutover pine and cypress swamp. Deer Hunting, Excellent; Hog Hunting, Excellent; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Excellent; Turkey Hunting, Good; Camping, Dogs and ATVs, Prohibited. Hunts scheduled for the area include archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey. All hunts except small game season require a quota hunt permit. There are no exemptions for this area.

Andrews Wildlife Management Area

In support of the resource management goals and objectives for the area and to provide a quality experience for all area users, the following recreation activities are allowed. During hunting days, the area is only open to individuals who have a quota hunt permit.

Hunting is limited to 2-to-3-day, high-quality hunts with a limited number of hunters. Zone tags are given out to hunters, and only a limited number of hunters are allowed in each zone at a time. Andrews has a good population of deer and turkey, and is one of the top 5 areas in the state to hunt. In 2001-2002, the squirrel harvest was 785 (a new record).

During two weekends each fall, Andrews has supervised youth hunts. Boys and girls ages 8 through 15 hunt deer and feral hog. Each hunter must be supervised by an adult. View hunting regulations for Andrews Wildlife Management Area here.

Andrews WMA: (3,501 acres in Levy County)
Habitat: bottomland and river bluff hardwoods. Deer Hunting, Good; Hog Hunting, Excellent; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Squirrel Hunting, Excellent, possibly the best in the state; Turkey Hunting, Good; Camping, Dogs and ATVs, Prohibited; All hunts are short duration with a quota hunt permit required. Hunts include archery, muzzleloading gun, supervised youth hunt, general gun, small game, and spring turkey hunt. The area is open throughout the year; however, during periods when hunting is allowed, only those participating in the hunt are allowed on the area.

Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area

Cedar Key Scrub WMA consists of almost 5,000 acres of tidal marsh, cypress swamp, scrub oak, and flatwoods north of Cedar Key in Levy County. The wetlands provide habitat for roseate spoonbills, wood storks and amphibians such as striped newts, and one-toed amphiumas. Drier areas support Florida mice, gopher frogs, indigo snakes, Florida scrub-jays, and white-tailed deer. Recreational activities include hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and picnicking. Camping is prohibited on the area. Recent prescribed burns are helping to restore the fire-dependent scrub ecosystem. View hunting regulations for Cedar Key Scrub Wildlife Management Area here.

Cedar Key Scrub WMA: (4,988 acres in Levy County)
Habitat: coastal scrub oak and cypress swamp. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Excellent; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Poor; Turkey Hunting, Poor; Walk-in only; Camping, Dogs and ATVs, Prohibited; Hunts are short duration and a quota hunt permit is required on all hunts. Scheduled hunts include archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun.

Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area

Gulf Hammock WMA is a 24,000 plus-acre privately owned timber plantation in southwest Levy County consisting of planted pine, cypress swamp, and creekside hardwoods. Public access is permitted on the area only when hunting is allowed and a recreation use permit is required. White-tailed deer, feral hogs, gray squirrels, quails, eastern cottontail rabbits, and turkeys may be hunted in season. View hunting regulations for Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Area here.

Gulf Hammock WMA: (24,625 acres in Levy County)
Habitat: pine plantations, cypress swamp and coastal hardwood. Deer Hunting, Fair; Hog Hunting, Fair; Migratory Bird Hunting, Poor; Small Game Hunting, Fair; Turkey Hunting, Fair; Camping, Only at designated sites; Dogs, Yes; ATVs, Yes, on established roads; Hunts scheduled for the area include archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and spring turkey seasons. A $275 Recreational Use Permit is required to hunt on this area, and there are no exemptions.

Info courtesy of www.wildflorida.org

Fine Freshwater Fishing

Williston Freshwater fishing is abundant and accessible all year long.

Rivers, lakes and freshwater canals maintain a constant flow of fish like bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish year 'round.

Commonly used tackle includes cane poles, plug casting reels, spinning reels and fly rods, and baits range from live worms and shiners to plastic worms and crank baits.

The center of the state is awash with most of Florida's 7,700 lakes. Look for sunfish and blue gills in marshy areas and plenty of black crappies, black bass, and maybe even snapper in the wintertime near spring heads.

Info courtesy www.flausa.com