What’s New in FY26
A. Regulation Changes & New Opportunities
1. Effective 1 October 2025, all individuals 16 years of age (YOA) or older seeking to renew or purchase a new Eglin Recreation Permit MUST pass an annual background check. Current DoD ID holders are also subject to this new vetting requirement. An iSportsman account is required to apply for a background check. Background checks may take up to 72 hours for approval. See details in Section 3.
2. In February 2025 the Installation Commander implemented access control measures for five established Coastal Restriction Areas (CRAs) that buffer specific Eglin AFB property boundaries. All individuals 16 YOA or older accessing CRAs by waterborne vessel requiring state registration must undergo a background check, acquire the appropriate CRA permit, have current DoD ID or Installation Visitor Pass (if applicable), and utilize the iSportsman check in/out feature. Hunting is prohibited within CRAs. See details in Section 9.
3. The new iSportsman check in/out feature must be utilized when accessing CRAs, dove fields, and campsites. See details in Section 8.
4. For the 2025–26 Eglin hunting season there will be a lottery for stamps (formerly called Deer Dog Stamps) dictating access to either the Sikes or Choctaw Management Units during the Deer Dog Training Season and General Gun Season dates. These new stamps will be called General Gun Season Dog Unit Stamps and are required for ALL hunters 16 YOA or older (includes those hunting with the aid of dogs and still hunters alike) seeking access to either the Sikes or Choctaw MUs during the Deer Dog Training and General Gun Seasons. This stamp is also required for non-hunting adults supervising youth hunting in the Sikes or Choctaw MUs during the Youth Weekend Hunt. This stamp is not required to participate during any other open hunting season within the Sikes or Choctaw MUs. Awarded FY26 General Gun Season Dog Unit Stamps are valid from 1 Nov 2025–8 Feb 2026. See details in Section 5.
5. Regulations regarding the discharge of weapons have changed to prohibit the discharge of weapons down or across any road, any portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, and any designated mountain bike trail in ALL management units. Discharging weapons from most roads in dog hunt units is still allowed (however discharging weapons from specific roads and paved roads within dog hunt units that have historically been prohibited from such will remain in effect). A "road" is any established, maintained, or regularly used route intended for four-wheeled motorized vehicle travel including gravel, dirt/sand, or paved surfaces, and includes access roads, logging roads, and utility rights-of-way. See details in Section 18.
6. The use of centerfire shotguns during Spring Turkey Season in TTAs G-16 and G-18 is now prohibited. See Section 21 for details.
7. Pocosin Pond within the Metts MU is permanently closed to public access.
B. Important Reminders.
1.Recreationists with a current CCW license may carry a concealed firearm on the Reservation during FPCON Alpha and Bravo, except within Main Base and all cantonment area footprints, all permanently Closed Areas as identified in this Handbook and associated Recreation Map, and all temporary area closures as identified on the current Eglin Public Access Map (PAM). Recreationists choosing to do so will be required to provide CCW license number, expiration date, and state of issuance on their iSportsman account. See Section 18 for details.
2.The use of game cameras is prohibited within 50 yards of any named or numbered road, permanent Closed Area boundary, or infrastructure. All game cameras must be clearly labeled with the owner’s iSportsman permit number. Game cameras not meeting these requirements may be confiscated by law enforcement. See Section 18 for details.
3.Eglin public beaches on Santa Rosa Island and White Point Recreation Area and all CRAs are closed to public access from sunset to sunrise.
4.NOTICE TO HUNTERS: Trespass of dogs into closed areas (temporary or permanent) is a violation of the “Hunter Responsibility Rule” (68A- 12.007, F.A.C.) and will result in Eglin recreation permit suspension and State/Federal citation(s) for the dog owner(s). Entering a closed area to retrieve dogs is also prohibited.
5.Electric bicycles of all types and classifications are prohibited on all Eglin beaches, the Brier Creek MUs, and portions of MUs designated as “motorized vehicles prohibited” (shown on Recreation Map as those areas with boundary outlined in a bold red line). See Section 11 for more information.
6.Eglin recreation permits are required for DoD-affiliated individuals as well as non-DoD civilians. A military ID and/or Common Access Card (CAC) alone does not permit recreational access on the Reservation.
7. All individuals are required to provide a photo ID and either printed or electronic copy of current Eglin recreation permit when requested by law enforcement personnel. Failure to provide such may result in Eglin recreation permit suspension.
8.All individuals (including non-hunting recreationists) must check in/ out at the Jackson and Brier Creek Check Stations, when manned. A printed copy of permit(s) is required to check in/out of these MUs.
9. Eglin recreation permits are not required for most outdoor recreation activities on Main Base (except hunting on portions of Main Base does require an Eglin permit, as well as applicable state licenses/stamps). More information on outdoor recreation opportunities on Main Base can be found at https://eglin96fss.com.