There are a number of ranching operations where trespass laws are rigorously enforced. Those open-terrain areas serve as sanctuaries for deer.

There's also considerable public land open to hunting in Sumter County. These areas are the 56,400-acre Richloam, 10,500-acre Jumper Creek, and 9,500-acre Half Moon WMAs.

No. 7 -- Nassau County
Although this county is not historically known for lots of big deer, Matt Pollock noted that it's seeing some nice deer now. The reasons, the biologist said, involve a combination of factors, including hunting groups who practice good deer management and a surprising amount of agriculture.

"It certainly doesn't hurt, either, that the soil is a little better than some other places," he added.

Public-hunting lands in the county are the 13,900-acre Nassau and 3,600-acre Ralph E. Simmons WMAs.

No. 8 -- Pasco County
Pasco County has experienced tremendous developmental growth over the last decade, but still has good whitetail habitat.

Biologists say the best hunting is near State Route 41 to the northwest of Dade City, and farther east in the Withlacoochee State Forest area.

There's still a good bit of ranch land, and most of these areas have lots of deer. Features you tend to see in these areas are live oak hammocks and scattered cypress heads. Such areas are great places to hunt, particularly during the rut, which peaks in late October.

There are also plenty of traditional pine and saw palmetto flatwoods, which most Florida hunters are accustomed to seeing. These areas can become unbelievably thick and of little value to wildlife unless they're burned on a periodic basis.

There are two public areas in the county: the 34,300-acre Green Swamp West Unit and 5,200-acre Upper Hillsborough WMAs.

TOP WMAs
Camp Blanding WMA
At first glance, it may seem odd to predict that a number of trophy bucks will come off the 56,200-acre Camp Blanding WMA this year -- but not when you factor in that most hunting there has been restricted since the 9/11 attacks. Earlier this year, Florida National Guard officials reached an agreement with the FWCC to open a good portion of their training base to hunting once again.

Giving bucks a chance to mature is critical for producing trophy deer, and the 2006-07 season should offer hunters a shot at whitetails that have been unmolested for four seasons.

Hunters will see some changes to their former hunting areas, however.

The dog-hunt area has been moved north of SR 16, and two nine-day quota hunt periods are planned for the that area. A total of 325 quota permits were issued for each hunt.

All still-hunt opportunities -- including archery and muzzleloading action -- have been consolidated south of SR 16. Legal bucks in the still-hunt section must have at least one antler with three or more points. On the dog-hunt side, legal bucks need only have 5-inch antlers.

Hunters need to keep in mind that the purpose of the base is to train National Guard troops. The changes and reconfigurations of old hunt areas were necessary so that hunting will not interfere with that mission.

Ocala WMA
The Ocala WMA covers 382,000 acres in Marion, Putnam, and Lake counties. Not only is it big, but also it's one of the most popular WMAs in north-central Florida, resulting in a lot of hunting pressure.