Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting & Fishing Regulations & Permit

General Provisions

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge,

one of a nationwide system of over 500

refuges, is on Florida’s Gulf Coast about 65

miles north of St. Petersburg. It comprises

over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays and

estuaries and brackish marshes with a

fringe of hardwood swamps along the

eastern boundary.

The primary objective of a national wildlife

refuge is to provide habitat for the

conservation and protection of all species

of wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals

is one tool used to manage wildlife

populations. Carefully managed hunts

maintain wildlife populations at a level

compatible with the environment, provide

wholesome recreational opportunities, and

permit the use of a valuable renewable

resource.

The regulations listed below supplement

the general regulations which govern

hunting on wildife refuge areas as set forth

in Title 50, Code of Federal Reguations,

Part 32. Hunting will be in accordance with

applicable State regulations.

General Hunting Regulations

Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of any

navigable waterway or residential area.

Boats must be removed from the area daily.

Conventional boats are allowed on all open

areas of Chassahowitzka Refuge.

Airboats are prohibited in all refuge waters

in Citrus County except on the designated

airboat routes, where a refuge airboat

permit is required. (Airboat permits maybe

obtained from the refuge office.)

Airboats are confined to navigable waters in

Hernando County. Operation of airboats

through or over marsh vegetation is

prohibited.

Firearms must be unloaded and encased

and/or dismantled when transported by

boat to and from the hunt areas.

Target shooting or other forms of practice

shooting are prohibited on the refuge.

Camping, fires, and littering are

prohibited.

Cutting of trees or removing dead/drift

wood from the refuge is prohibited.

The taking of any plant or animal on the

refuge for which there is no specific season

is prohibited.

The search or removal of any object of

antiquity is prohibited.

Citrus County Unit

Public hunting in Citrus County will be in

accordance with the following special

hunting regulations and applicable State

regulations.

The open season for ducks and coots is

concurrent with seasons established by the

State of Florida.

Waterfowl hunting is permitted only on

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Only ducks and coots may be taken.

State bag limits apply.

Hunting is permitted in all areas of the

Citrus County portion of the refuge except

for the posted No Hunting Area. A map of

the area open to hunting is found in this

brochure.

All hunters must possess a valid Florida

State Hunting License and valid (signed)

refuge hunting permit. Waterfowl hunters

must possess a Florida Waterfowl Permit,

except children under 16 and Florida

residents 65 and older. In addition, all

waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must

possess a valid (signed) Federal Migratory

Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp

(Federal Duck Stamp). Nontransferable

permits are required for all hunters

regardless of age or disability and must be

carried on the person while hunting.

Only steel or approved non-toxic shot may be

used. Possession of lead or other toxic shot in

any gauge is prohibited.

Please respect the following signs

Millions of people visit national wildlife

refuges each year. The impact of human

activity, if not regulated, can degrade these

wildlands. Signs control recreational

activities while protecting natural resources

on the refuge. Please respect the following

signs.

This sign clearly marks all refuge property.

It is your responsibility to know where the

property lines are and hunt within the

boundaries.

“Pack It In, Pack It Out” sign.

All equipment and garbage must be removed

at the end of the day.

No hunting is permitted in this designated

area.

If you have any questions,

please contact the Refuge Manager at:

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge

1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive

Crystal River, FL 34429

352/563 2088

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NO

HUNTING

ZONE

Pack It In

Pack It Out

Boats

Prohibited

Activities

Season

Hunt Days

Huntable

Species

Bag Limit

Hunt Area

Permits,

Stamps, &

Licenses

Only temporary blinds are permitted.

Hunters must not construct permanent

blinds.

Decoys must be removed from the area daily.

The use of dogs shall be in accordance with

state regulations.

Hunts on Chassahowitzka National Wildlife

Refuge may be altered or closed in cases of

emergency situations (floods, fire, or other

circumstances) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service.

Hernando County Unit

Public hunting in Hernando County will be

in accordance with State regulations for

the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management

Area. A Chassahowitzka Wildlife

Management Area stamp is required in

addition to other state hunting stamps and

licenses for upland hunting and big game.

The open season for small game, big game,

and migratory birds is concurrent with

seasons established by the State of

Florida.

The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management

Area regulations shall apply for Archery,

Muzzeloading Gun, and General Gun hunt

days.

The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management

Area regulations shall apply for huntable

species.

Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area

bag and possession limits apply.

Hunting is permitted in all areas of the

Hernando portion of the refuge. A map of

the area open to hunting is found in this

brochure.

All hunters must possess a valid Florida

State Hunting License and valid (signed)

refuge hunting permit. Waterfowl hunters

must possess a Florida Waterfowl Permit,

except children under 16 and Florida

residents 65 and older. In addition, all

waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must

possess a valid (signed) Federal Migratory

Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp

(Federal Duck Stamp). Nontransferable

Firearms

Season

Hunt Days

Huntable

Species

Bag Limit

Hunt Area

Permits,

Stamps, &

Licenses

Non-toxic

shot

Blinds

Decoys

Dogs

Hunt

Closures

permits are required for all hunters

regardless of age or disability and must be

carried on the person while hunting.

Only steel or approved non-toxic shot may be

used. Possession of lead or other toxic shot in

any gauge is prohibited.

Only temporary blinds are permitted.

Hunters must not construct permanent

blinds.

Decoys must be removed from the area daily.

The use of dogs shall be in accordance with

Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area

regulations.

Fishing Regulations

Open year-round.

Refuge permits are not required for fishing.

State regulations apply.

State regulations apply.

Non-toxic

shot

Blinds

Decoys

Dogs

Season

Permit

License

Creel

limits, etc.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Chassahowitzka

National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations

Chassahowitzka

National Wildlife Refuge

1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive

Crystal River, FL 34429

352/563 2088

http://southeast.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

March 2004

Chassahowitzka Hunting Permit

Name (please print)

I have read and understand the refuge hunting

regulations.

Signature (permits are not transferable)

This permit must be completed to be valid.

It must be carried by the hunter during the hunts.

N 0 Miles 1

0 Kilo 1

Homosassa

Springs

Homosassa

19

98

98

19

Homosa

ssa

Littl

e

Homosassa River

St. Martins Keys

Homosassa

Bay

Ma

son

Northwest

Keys

Black Rock

BIRD ISLAND

Crawl Key

Raccoon Pt.

CITRUS COUNTY

HERNANDO COUNTY

Dog Island (pier boardwalk, picnic shelter, and composting toilet)

480

490

490

Chassahowitzka

Bay

Chassahowitzka Pt.

Legend

No Hunting Area

Private Land

Refuge Boundary

Airboat Routes 

Maintenance Facility

Boat Ramp

Dog Island Recreation Area

Consult maps and regulations 

for Chassahowitzka

Wildlife Management Area when

hunting in Hernando County

portion of refuge.

Chassahowitzka

National Wildlife Refuge

60

40

Lakewood

Ocala

Tarpon

 Springs

Crystal

 River

Homosassa

Springs

27

98

19

75

4

Clearwater

Tampa

St. PetersburgTampa Bay

19

98

Florida TPK.

GULF

OF

MEXICO

Chassahowitzka

National Wildlife Refuge

GULF OF

MEXICO

S. Yulee Drive

Suncoast Blvd.

W. Halls's

River Rd. Crystal River

10 miles

Brooksville

16 miles

Clearwater

57 miles

0 Miles 25

0 Kilo 25