Guidance as of October 1, 2025: gates will stay open during the government shutdown.


Acting Refuge Manager John Stark can be reached at 850.527.8535 or [email protected]

Hunting

Our Refuge has 200+ days across 11 different hunts
from September to April
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
​          Quota Hunt Permit Process
The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge’s Quota Hunt Permits will be issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s “Go Outdoors Florida” website, on a first-come, first-served basis at 10:00 AM on the “Release Date” for five grouped hunts. 

Once a permit is purchased it is good for the entire year of 11 Refuge hunts so there is no need to purchase a separate Refuge Hunt Permit for each hunt. Hunters must:
  • Be legal with the State of Florida
  • Carry a license and relevant permits, or be exempt
  • Buy and carry a current Refuge Quota Hunt Permit.
  • Have a current Refuge Hunt Regulations Brochure on their person, hard copy or electronic, and
  • Know the material in the brochure.
The Refuge Hunt Regulations Brochure is posted as a separate document, at the right.
Message from Friends
We wish it were not true, but :

Lower Suwannee NWR historically issued special use permits to allow mobility impaired hunters better access to the refuge.  The staff that issued these permits has recently retired and the positions are currently vacant.  The remaining refuge staff does not have the capacity to issue individual permits at this time.  
Not Available at this time:
Applying for an Alternative Mobility Permit
Overview
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Special Use Permit for Mobility Impaired Hunters

Other Helpful Links
Report deer and turkey taken with one of these FWC harvest report options within 24 hours of harvest

Maps

OVERVIEW MAPS
GEOSPATIAL MAPS
Import these into the Avenza app for offline use on your mobile phone. Instructions

Special Hunt Events

Operation Outdoor Freedom 
​Supported by the FL Forest Service and the Dept. of Agriculture, OOF provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities to wounded veterans at no cost.
NonTypical Outdoorsman
In January 2022, N.onT.ypical Outdoorsman brought a group of hunters to the Lower Suwannee NWR to help increase the racial diversity of hunters that visit the refuge.

Stories

Former Friends president Greg Lang hunting
Greg Lang with a nice-sized hog. Photo by Paul Ramey.

The Fish and Wildlife Service featured the Lower Suwannee Refuge and former Friends president Greg Lang in a recent story about hunting on national wildlife refuges:

"Not even Swamp Ape legend deters hunters from flocking to Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge"

Redfishing, Hog and Deer Hunting in a Day

'A great way to spend an 18 hour day.'