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Florida Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Florida, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunt zones. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

The only home to the Osceola wild turkey, Florida’s hunting opportunities run far and wide. It’s a state you can pursue three native sub-species of whitetail deer (Florida coastal white-tailed deer, Florida white-tailed deer, and Florida Key deer), as well as alligators, wild hogs, and waterfowl.

Terrain

Florida’s terrain is geographically young, but it does contain 45 distinct terrestrial ecosystems, ranging from small islands of subtropical hammocks and rocklands to dry prairies, sandhills, scrubs, flatwoods, and floodplain forests.

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Florida Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Alligator
Aug 15, 2023 – Aug 21, 2023
Alligator – Early Harvest 1
Statewide. Other restrictions may apply.
Aug 15, 2023
Aug 21, 2023
Alligator
Aug 22, 2023 – Aug 28, 2023
Alligator – Early Harvest 2
Statewide. Other restrictions may apply.
Aug 22, 2023
Aug 28, 2023
Alligator
Aug 29, 2023 – Sep 4, 2023
Alligator – Early Harvest 3
Statewide. Other restrictions may apply.
Aug 29, 2023
Sep 4, 2023
Bobcat
Dec 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Bobcat
Statewide. No limit. May be taken by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow or bow.
Dec 1, 2023
Mar 31, 2024
Deer
Jul 29, 2023 – Sep 1, 2023
Deer – Crossbow Zone A
Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer. See regulations.
Jul 29, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Deer
Jul 29, 2023 – Aug 27, 2023
Deer – Archery Zone A
Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer. See regulations.
Jul 29, 2023
Aug 27, 2023
Deer
Sep 2, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Deer – Muzzleloader Zone A
Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer. See regulations.
Sep 2, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Deer
Sep 9, 2023 – Sep 10, 2023
Deer – Youth Zone A
Youth Deer Hunt Weekend
Sep 9, 2023
Sep 10, 2023
Deer
Nov 4, 2023 – Jan 21, 2024
Deer – Gun Zone C
Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer.
Nov 4, 2023
Jan 21, 2024
Deer
Dec 2, 2023 – Feb 18, 2024
Deer – Gun Zone B
Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer.
Dec 2, 2023
Feb 18, 2024
Deer
Dec 9, 2023 – Feb 18, 2024
Deer – Gun Zone D
Late Season. Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer.
Dec 9, 2023
Feb 18, 2024
Deer
Feb 19, 2024 – Feb 25, 2024
Deer – Muzzleloader Zone D
Late Season. Antlered deer open. Certain restrictions apply to antlerless deer.
Feb 19, 2024
Feb 25, 2024
Dove
Dec 19, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Dove – Season 3
Mourning and white-winged. Bag limit 15 per day.
Dec 19, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Duck
Sep 16, 2023 – Sep 20, 2023
Duck – Teal and Wood Duck
Bag limit 6 per day.
Sep 16, 2023
Sep 20, 2023
Duck
Sep 21, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Duck – Teal Only
Bag limit 6 per day.
Sep 21, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Duck
Dec 9, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Duck – All Duck 2
Bag limit 6 per day.
Dec 9, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Duck
Feb 10, 2024 – Feb 10, 2024
Duck – Youth Waterfowl 2
Limits vary on species.
Feb 10, 2024
Feb 10, 2024
Goose
Sep 2, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Goose – Canada Goose 1
Bag limit 5 per day.
Sep 2, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Goose
Dec 1, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024
Goose – Canada Goose 3
Bag limit 5 per day.
Dec 1, 2023
Jan 30, 2024
Goose
Dec 9, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Goose – Light Goose 2
Bag limit 15 per day.
Dec 9, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Quail Game Type
Nov 11, 2023 – Mar 3, 2024
Quail
Statewide. Bag limit 12 per day.
Nov 11, 2023
Mar 3, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Feb 25, 2023 – Feb 26, 2023
Turkey – Youth Spring South
South of State Road 70. Bag limit 2 per season.
Feb 25, 2023
Feb 26, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Feb 25, 2023 – Feb 26, 2023
Turkey – Youth Spring South

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Feb 25, 2023
Feb 26, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Mar 4, 2023 – Apr 9, 2023
Turkey – Spring South Zone
South of State Road 70. Bag limit 2 per season.
Mar 4, 2023
Apr 9, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Mar 11, 2023 – Mar 12, 2023
Turkey – Youth Spring North
North of State Road 70. Bag limit 2 per season.
Mar 11, 2023
Mar 12, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Mar 11, 2023 – Mar 12, 2023
Turkey – Youth Spring North

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Mar 11, 2023
Mar 12, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Mar 18, 2023 – Apr 23, 2023
Turkey – Spring North Zone
North of State Road 70. Bag limit 2 per season.
Mar 18, 2023
Apr 23, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Mar 18, 2023 – Apr 23, 2023
Turkey – Spring North Zone

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Mar 18, 2023
Apr 23, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Jul 29, 2023 – Sep 1, 2023
Turkey – Fall Crossbow Zone A

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Jul 29, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Jul 29, 2023 – Aug 27, 2023
Turkey – Fall Archery Zone A

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Jul 29, 2023
Aug 27, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Jul 29, 2023 – Aug 27, 2023
Turkey – Fall Archery Zone A
Bearded turkeys only. 2 per season.
Jul 29, 2023
Aug 27, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Jul 29, 2023 – Sep 1, 2023
Turkey – Fall Crossbow Zone A
Bearded turkeys only. 2 per season.
Jul 29, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Sep 2, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Turkey – Fall Muzzleloader Zone A

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Sep 2, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Sep 2, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Turkey – Fall Muzzleloader Zone A
Bearded turkeys only. 2 per season.
Sep 2, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Dec 2, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Turkey – Fall Zone B

Bag and season limit of 2 turkeys.

Dec 2, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Dec 2, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Turkey – Fall Zone B
Bearded turkeys only. 2 per season.
Dec 2, 2023
Jan 28, 2024

Florida Hunting Regulations

Deer

Deer

Archery Season

Only bows may be used.

Crossbow Season

Only crossbows and bows may be used.

Muzzleloading Gun Season

Only muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows may be used. Only muzzleloading guns designed to have projectiles (bullets) loaded through the muzzle and fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or centerfire primer (including 209 primers) may be used. Muzzleloading guns designed to allow accelerant (gun powder) to be loaded at the breech may be used during muzzleloading gun seasons.

General Gun Season

Centerfire rifles, shotguns, centerfire pistols, muzzleloaders, precharged pneumatic air guns, crossbows and bows may be used.

Youth Deer Hunt Weekend

Youth 15-years-old and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn, but youth must be supervised by an adult, 18 years or older. Youth may use any legal method of take (including dogs) for deer, with a limit of 1 deer for the weekend that counts towards the youth’s annual statewide bag limit. This weekend does not apply to wild- life management areas.

Bag Limit

The annual statewide bag limit is 5 deer per hunter of which no more than 2 deer can be antlerless (any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than five inches in length).

Furbearers

Furbearers

General Regulations

  • Bobcat and otter may be trapped statewide Dec. 1 – March 1. No bag limits.
  • Raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, skunk and nutria may be trapped statewide year round. No bag limits.
  • Minks, Everglades minks, weasels and round-tailed muskrats cannot be taken or possessed.

Migratory Birds

Dove

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset, unless otherwise noted

Dove – Bag Limit

Daily Limit: 15 Possession Limit: 45

Crow – Bag Limit

No Limit

King & Clapper Rail – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 15

Sora & Virginia Rail – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 25

Snipe – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 8

Woodcock – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 3

Small Game

Small Game

Legal Weapons

Rifles, shotguns, pistols, muzzleloaders, air guns, crossbows and bows may be used. Gray squirrel and quail also may be taken during archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons using the respective methods of take allowed during those seasons.

Squirrel – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 12 Possession Limit: 24

Quail – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 12 Possession Limit: 24

Turkey

Turkey Game Type

Bag Limit

2 gobblers/bearded turkeys per season

Fall and Spring Wild Turkey

Shotguns, rifles, precharged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.

Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend

Youth 15-years-old and younger can harvest wild turkey, but youth must be supervised by an adult, 18 years or older. However, adult supervisors with a hunting license and turkey permit can “call in” a wild turkey and otherwise participate in the hunt, but they cannot shoot or shoot at wild turkey.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset, unless otherwise noted

Non-Toxic Shot

No person may take ducks, geese or coots while possessing shot (either shellshots or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than approved non-toxic shot. For a list of approved non-toxic shot see: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20#p-20.21(j)(1). If you have any questions about migratory bird regulations, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-5878. For information on federal hunting regulations or violations, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents: Groveland 352-429-1037; Ft. Myers 239-561-8144; Miami 305-526-2610; Vero Beach 772-469-4224 or Tallahassee 850-925-6121.

Ducks – Bag Limit

  • 6 (of which only 2 can be wood ducks)
  • 6 ducks, including no more than 2 mallards (of which only 1 can be female)
  • 4 sea ducks (of which no more than 3 may be scoters, long-tailed ducks, or eiders and no more than 1 may be a female rider), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck) and 1 fulvous whistling-duck.
  • 1 scaup from Nov. 19-27 and Dec. 10 – Jan. 9, 2 scaup from Jan. 10-29 and during Youth and Veteran/Military hunt days.

Canada Goose – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 5

Common Gallinule (Moorhen) – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 15

Coot – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 15

Light Geese (Snow, blue and Ross’) – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 15

Merganser – Bag Limit

Daily Bag Limit: 5

*Season dates and regulation data provided by

Florida Licenses, Permits and Regulations

Florida hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every Florida hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Florida hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunt zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Florida.

Hunting Zones

Florida has four hunt zones: Zone A, Zone B, Zone C, and Zone D. There are multiple sub-zones within each zone. For instance, Zone C contains hunt sub-zones DMU-C1 through DMU-C6. DMU stands for “Deer Management Unit,” and each of these zones and sub-zones has its own restrictions and antler regulations in place. Click below to view Florida’s hunt zones in more detail through an interactive map.

Hunting Layers

FL Private Lands Preview

FL Private Lands

Over 8,300,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Florida. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

FL Gov Lands Preview

FL Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 12,000,000 acres in Florida. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (2) Expand Sublayers
FL Hunting Zones Preview

FL Hunting Zones

Florida Deer Management Units and Hunting Zones. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.

Includes 2 Sublayers

  • Deer Mgmt Units
  • Hunt Zones
FL Possible Access Preview

FL Possible Access

onX has mapped 2,000,000 acres of possible access lands in Florida including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

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