One way to create a better trophy opportunity is to set greater restrictions on antlers for harvesting bucks in order to protect yearlings and 1 1/2-year age-class deer. In this region, Camp Blanding and Half Moon WMAs now require that a buck have a minimum three points on at least one side, and that each point be at least one inch long.

Other methods to restrict hunter access are through a quota permit system and a shorter season. Some areas in the Central Zone fall into this category, and Ault rates a couple of them as top bets for this year.

“Andrews WMA would be one of my top picks,” Ault says. “It’s a small area, about 45 minutes west of Gainesville, but it has a great hardwood and pine habitat. There aren’t any special antler restrictions, and the basic statewide 5-inch rule is in force, as well as allowing antlerless deer. But it has stiff quotas, a short season, and traditionally experiences a very high hunter success ratio.”

Also on his list is Jennings Forest WMA, near Jacksonville. This is another quota hunt area, but it has excellent habitat. The Division of Forestry has a good burn program that helps maintain it.

Twin Rivers WMA is another spot that shouldn’t be overlooked.

“The soil quality and habitat here is some of the best in the region,” Ault points outs. “Some of the biggest deer in the Central Zone come from here, and we’ve had 1 1/2-year-old bucks that weighed 150 pounds, which is great growth for a Florida deer.”

For those hunters who were tardy in their pre-season planning, Ault rates the Osceola WMA as one of the best bests. There is no quota for bow hunters, and you can walk right in. Although the deer density is not as high as in many of the more restrictive areas, Ault sees good deer come out of here every year.

NORTHWEST ZONE
While South Zone bow hunters can count on some rutting activity, and central Florida archers see significant rutting activity during their seasons, the same can’t be said for bowmen in the Northwest Zone.

“The rut in the northwest region can vary quite a bit between the Panhandle and the eastern portion,” says FWCC biologist Cory Morea, who has been studying whitetails in this region for seven years. “But typically, there is little rutting activity going on in this region during archery season. The peak of the rut generally occurs in December and January. And with the bow season running from October 14 to November 12, most of it will arrive after archery season.

“What bow hunters here will encounter,” he continues, “might be a bit of pre-rut activity. But generally, you’re looking at bucks that are still in their bachelor groups and going about their normal daily feeding behavior.”