Recreation (updated
yearly)
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. The Big
Bend's Hickory Mound Unit and Tide Swamp Unit Recreation Guides
and Big Bend's Tide Swamp Driving Tour Guide
are a useful resource when visiting this area. The 105-mile
Big Bend Saltwater Paddling
Trail offers outstanding opportunities for paddlers to explore the
Big Bend gulf coast.
Betsy Purdum
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Bow hunter Eddie Francisco and 200 pound boar, Hickory Mound, September 2000
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For many years, local people have hunted on the lands now constituting
the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area. Hunting along with fishing continues
to be the most popular recreational activity on the area.
The FWC plants non-invasive, agronomic plants such as millet and wheat on selected closed roads and clearcuts to provide high-quality forage for dove, quail, deer, and wild turkey as well as for nongame wildlife.
Opportunities are available for archery, muzzleloader, and modern gun
hunting. Dog hunting is allowed on Hickory Mound and Jena.
Historically
duck
hunting has been good on the Hickory Mound Impoundment. The
impoundment can utilize ocean water through water control
structures to adjust water levels, however, the dependency on rainfall
is related to managing salinity levels which are critical in managing
for aquatic vegetation favored by waterfowl. On Hickory
Mound, deer, hog, and squirrel hunting is good, and turkey hunting is
fair. On Spring Creek, deer hunting is good and is improving; hog hunting
and turkey hunting are fair. On Tide Swamp, deer, hog, turkey, and small
game hunting are good. On Jena all game harvest is low.
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Hunting Regulations and Maps - pdf files
Hunting Calendar
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Creeks, streams, and small ponds throughout Big Bend support many species
of game fish including largemouth bass, catfish, and several species
of sunfish. Abandoned limerock pits on Hickory Mound have been stocked
with catfish. Dallus Creek on Tide Swamp and creeks near the Hickory
Mound Impoundment are good places to catch saltwater game fish. Hagen’s
Cove is a popular place to fish at night. At Hickory Mound, platforms
are available for crabbing. Big Bend Units except Snipe Island have boat ramps providing
access to the Gulf for saltwater anglers. Spotted sea trout are abundant
in March and April and October and November. Reference the following
maps (pdf files) for boat ramp locations:
Hickory Mound Unit
of Big Bend WMA;
Spring
Creek Unit of Big Bend WMA;
Tide
Swamp Unit of Big Bend WMA; and
Jena
Unit of Big Bend WMA. Fishing
license information.
Hickory Mound Impoundment and Hagen's Cove are excellent spots for
birding. The trams on Tide Swamp traverse diverse communities and are
good spots for observing both resident and migratory birds. Hickory
Mound Impoundment, Hagen's Cove, and Tide Swamp are part of the Great
Florida Birding Trail. Visit the Wildlife
page for more information about the area's wildlife. You may also
request a copy or download or print the
Big Bend Bird List -
pdf file.
Within Big Bend are over 300 miles of roads that can be used by hikers.
Old trams are ideal places for hikers, birdwatchers, and photographers.
Marked trails begin at Hagen’s Cove and Dallus Creek.
Additionally, there are several marked trails across Snipe Island.
Biking is allowed on the more than 300 miles of roads on the area.
Horseback riding is allowed on named and numbered roads. On the Snipe
Island Unit of Big Bend, horses are permitted only during
non-hunting
days.
Sea kayakers will enjoy vistas of seemingly endless salt marsh and
cabbage palm hammocks along the state-designated
Big Bend Saltwater
Paddling Trail.
Reference the following maps (pdf files)
for boat ramp locations:
Hickory
Mound Unit of Big Bend WMA;
Spring
Creek Unit of Big Bend WMA;
Tide
Swamp Unit of Big Bend WMA;and
Jena
Unit of Big Bend WMA.
Roads pass through a variety of natural communities
and offer the exploring driver opportunities to observe wildlife,
wild flowers and much more on Florida's wild lands.
Vehicle
use regulations for Snipe Island Unit.
Vehicle
use regulations for Hickory Mound Unit.
Vehicle
use regulations for Spring Creek Unit.
Vehicle
use regulations for Tide Swamp Unit.
Vehicle
use regulations for Jena Unit.
Camping is prohibited with the exception of seven designated island sites
on the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail for permitted sea kayakers
only. Call (850) 488-5520 for camping permit information.
