Florida hunting regulations

Florida Hunting Regulations

Florida is a really cool state for hunters with great biodiversity and species uncommon to other states. Ample public lands open the door to everyone and the fee structure is affordable for both resident and non-residents.

Species of Interest and Highlights – There’s a little bit of everything here. You can chase deer and turkey or head out on an alligator hunt. Bears, hogs, Burmese pythons and plenty of birds, waterfowl and small game make up some great hunts in Florida. Deer seasons start early as July in some zones and run through March. Hogs and rabbits run all year, making every month an opportunity to go hunting.

Florida Hunting License Costs

Residents:

  • Gold Sportsman’s License – Hunting, Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, archery, wildlife management area, crossbow, muzzleloading, turkey, florida waterfowl, snook, lobster. – $100
  • Sportsman’s License – hunting, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, wildlife management area, archery, muzzleloading, crossbow, turkey, Florida waterfowl – $80.50
  • Resident 64+ Sportsman’s License – $13.50
  • Annual Hunting – $17
  • 5 Year Hunting – $79
  • Hunting, Freshwater Fishing combo – $32.50
  • Hunting, Freshwater/Saltwater fishing – $48

Non-residents:

  • Annual hunting – $151.50
  • 10-day hunting – $46.50

Permits – Same price for resident and non-resident:

  • Federal duck stamp – $17.50
  • Wildlife Management Area – $26.50
  • Archery – $5
  • Muzzleloading gun – $5
  • Turkey – $10 resident, $125 non-resident
  • Florida waterfowl permit – $5
  • Crossbow – $5

Florida Hunting Seasons

Deer Archery:

  • Zone A – July 29 – Aug 7
  • Zone B – Oct 14 – Nov 12
  • Zone C – Sept 16 – Oct 15
  • Zone D – Oct 21 – Nov 22

Deer Crossbow:

  • Zone A – July 29 – Sept 1
  • Zone B – Oct 14 – Nov 12
  • Zone C – Sept 16 – Oct 15, Oct 16 – 20 (antlered only)
  • Zone D – Oct 21 – Nov 22, Nov 27 – Dec 1 (antlered only)

Deer Muzzleloader:

  • Zone A – Sept 2 – 15
  • Zone B – Nov 18 – Dec 1
  • Zone C – Oct 21 – Nov 3
  • Zone D – Dec 2-8 and 19-25

Deer Rifle:

  • Zone A – Sept 16 – Oct 15, Nov 18 – Jan 7
  • Zone B – Dec 2 – Feb 18
  • Zone C – Nov 4 – Jan 21
  • Zone D – Nov 23-26, Dec 9 – Feb 18

Turkey:

  • Zone A – July 29 – Aug 27 bow, July 29 – Sept 1 bow, Sept 2-15 muzzleloader/bow, Oct 9-15 and Nov 18 – Jan 7 for all legal methods.
  • Zone B – Oct 14 – Nov 12 bow, Oct 14 – Nov 17 bow, Nov 18 – Dec 1 muzzeloader/bow, Dec 2 Jan 28 all legal methods.
  • Zone C – Sept 16 – Oct 15 bow, Sept 16 – Oct 20 bow, Oct 21 – Nov 3 muzzeloader/bow, Nov 4 – Dec 31 all legal methods
  • Zone D – Oct 21 – Nov 22 bow, Oct 21 – Nov 22 and Nov 27 – Dec 1 bow, Dec 2-8 muzzeloader/bow, Nov 23-26 and Dec 9 – Jan 14 all legal methods

Spring Turkey (gobblers and bearded only):

  • South of State Road 70 – March 3 – April 8
  • North of State Road 70 – March 17 – April 22

Rabbit:

  • Year-round season. 12 daily, 24 in possession

Wild Hog:

  • Year-round season, no limit

Bobcat:

  • Dec 1 – March 31, no limits

Otter:

  • Dec 1 – March 1, no limits

Raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, skunk, nutria:

  • Year-round, no limits

Bear:

There is not currently a bear hunt for 2018 in Florida. It looks like the hunt might renew in 2019. Keep your eyes posted on the Florida hunting regulations in 2019 for more info about the bear hunt.

 

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