Florida’s 2026-2027 hunting season starts early compared with many states. In much of the state, deer archery opens Aug. 1 in Zone A, while other regions begin later in the fall. Hunters can chase a wide mix of game here, including white-tailed deer, wild hogs, wild turkey, quail, rabbits, gray squirrels, ducks, doves, and several other migratory birds. That long calendar is a big reason Florida hunting season draws both residents and traveling hunters.

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Still, long seasons do not mean simple seasons. Florida uses deer zones, deer management units, a north/south spring turkey split, and many area-specific wildlife management area rules. Because of that, knowing your dates matters just as much as knowing your stand site. The right hunting license, permits, harvest reporting, and public-land rules are all part of staying legal and protecting access for the future. If you also hunt nearby states, it can help to compare timing with this Georgia hunting season guide before planning a multi-state trip.

✔ Hunting season dates
✔ Bag limits
✔ Legal hunting hours
✔ Required licenses
✔ Weapon restrictions
✔ Blaze orange rules
✔ Public land rules
✔ Hunter education requirements

Quick Overview Table

Species	Season	Weapon	Best Months	Permit Required
Deer	Aug. 1-Feb. 28 depending on zone and method	Archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, centerfire firearms, legal PCP air guns	Aug.-Jan.	Hunting license, deer permit; plus archery/crossbow/muzzleloader permit if applicable
Wild Turkey	Fall by zone; spring Mar.-Apr. by north/south split	Shotgun, rifle, handgun, muzzleloader, bow, crossbow, legal PCP air guns	Mar.-Apr., plus fall windows	Hunting license, turkey permit; WMA permit on public land
Wild Hog	Private land year-round; WMA dates vary by area	Most lawful methods; trapping also allowed under rules	Year-round on private land	None on private land with permission; WMA rules vary
Quail	Nov. 14-Mar. 7	Shotgun, rimfire/centerfire legal methods, bow/crossbow, air gun	Nov.-Jan.	Hunting license
Gray Squirrel / Rabbit	Year-round	Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, air gun, bow, crossbow	Fall and winter	Hunting license
Ducks / Waterfowl	Sept.-Jan. depending on species	Plugged shotgun, bow, crossbow	Nov.-Jan.	Hunting license, no-cost migratory bird permit, Florida waterfowl permit, federal duck stamp
Dove	Sept.-Jan. split seasons	Shotgun, other legal methods	Sept.-Dec.	Hunting license, no-cost migratory bird permit
Bobcat / Otter	Dec. 1-Mar. 31 / Dec. 1-Mar. 1	Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, air gun, bow, crossbow	Winter	Hunting license; furbearer rules may apply

Key Hunting Dates for Florida Hunting Season 2026-2027

Big Game

Deer
- Zone A: Archery Aug. 1-30; Crossbow Aug. 1-Sept. 4; Muzzleloader Sept. 5-18; Youth deer weekend Sept. 12-13; General gun Sept. 19-Oct. 18 and Nov. 21-Jan. 3.
- Zone B: Archery Oct. 17-Nov. 15; Crossbow Oct. 17-Nov. 20; Muzzleloader Nov. 21-Dec. 4; Youth deer weekend Nov. 28-29; General gun Dec. 5-Feb. 21.
- Zone C: Archery Sept. 19-Oct. 18; Crossbow Sept. 19-Oct. 23; Muzzleloader Oct. 24-Nov. 6; Youth deer weekend Oct. 31-Nov. 1; General gun Nov. 7-Jan. 24.
- Zone D: Archery Oct. 24-Nov. 25; Crossbow Oct. 24-Nov. 25 and Nov. 30-Dec. 4; Youth deer weekend Dec. 5-6; Muzzleloader Dec. 5-11 and Feb. 22-28; General gun Nov. 26-29 and Dec. 12-Feb. 21.
- Antlerless deer: Dates vary further by DMU, especially in Zone A and Zone C.
- Primitive season: Florida’s muzzleloading gun seasons fill this role.
- Special permit season: Antlerless deer permits and some WMA quota hunts apply.
- Notes: Youth deer weekends do not apply on WMAs.
Wild Hog
- Private land: Open year-round, day or night, with landowner permission.
- Firearm / archery / primitive: Lawful methods are broadly allowed on private land.
- WMA variation: Most WMAs allow hog hunting during open seasons, but rules are area-specific and many differ during spring turkey season.
- Special permits: Some WMAs or quota hunts may require area permits.
Bear: No statewide open bear hunting season listed for 2026-2027.
Elk, Moose, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison, Javelina: Not applicable in Florida’s regular hunting calendar.
Other Florida-specific note: Alligator hunting is handled through a separate statewide permit system, not the standard resident game season table.

Turkey

Fall Turkey
- Zone A: Oct. 5-18 and Nov. 21-Jan. 3
- Zone B: Dec. 5-Jan. 31
- Zone C: Nov. 7-Jan. 3
- Zone D: Nov. 26-29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 17
Spring Turkey
- North of State Road 70: March 20-April 25
- South of State Road 70: March 6-April 11
Youth Turkey
- North of State Road 70: March 12-15
- South of State Road 70: Feb. 26-March 1
Special seasons
- Many WMAs run quota or limited-entry spring turkey hunts.
- On WMAs, hunters may take only one turkey per day, and some areas close at 1 p.m.

Small Game

Rabbit: Year-round
Gray squirrel: Year-round
Hare / jackrabbit / groundhog / woodchuck / prairie dog: Not part of Florida’s statewide season table.
Wild hog, raccoon, opossum, skunk, beaver, coyote: Year-round statewide in the resident game table, though license and land-use rules still apply.

Upland Birds

Quail: Nov. 14-March 7 statewide
Mourning dove / white-winged dove: Sept. 26-Oct. 18; Nov. 14-Dec. 6; Dec. 19-Jan. 31
Pheasant, grouse, chukar, partridge, ptarmigan: No statewide Florida season listed.

Waterfowl

Teal and wood duck early season: Sept. 19-23
Ducks: Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 31
Canada goose: Sept. 5-27; Nov. 21-29; Dec. 1-Jan. 30
Light geese: Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 31
Coot: Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 31
Common gallinule: Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Purple gallinule: Closed; take is prohibited
Rails: Sept. 1-Nov. 9
Snipe: Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Woodcock: Dec. 18-Jan. 31
Brant: Prohibited in Florida

Furbearers

Bobcat: Dec. 1-March 31
Otter: Dec. 1-March 1
Raccoon, skunk, beaver: Year-round
Mink, muskrat, badger, weasel: Not listed in the retrieved statewide Florida season table.

Predators

Coyote: Year-round
Fox: Not listed in the retrieved statewide season table; verify before targeting.
Wolf / Mountain Lion: No open Florida hunting season.

Special Opportunities

Youth deer weekends: One per deer zone; limit one deer for the weekend.
Youth turkey hunts: Two statewide youth spring windows based on location north or south of State Road 70.
Youth waterfowl days: Nov. 14, 2026 and Feb. 13, 2027.
Veterans and active military waterfowl days: Feb. 6-7, 2027.
Quota / limited-entry hunts: Available for deer, hog, turkey, waterfowl, and more on selected WMAs.
Disabled / mentored / family opportunities: Available through FWC programs and special event permits.

Hunting License Fees

License Type	Resident Fee	Nonresident Fee	Notes
Hunting License, Annual	$17.00	$151.50	Core license for most hunting
Hunting License, 5-Year	$79.00	—	Resident only
Youth Hunting License	$17.00	—	Resident youth option listed
Silver Sportsman’s 64+	$13.50 annual / $61.50 5-year	—	Resident seniors 64+
Disabled Resident Hunt/Fish License	No cost	—	Resident-only disability accommodation
Sportsman’s License	$80.50	—	Resident package
Gold Sportsman’s License	$100.00 annual / $494.00 5-year	—	Resident package with major permits
Military Gold Sportsman’s	$20.00	—	Qualified Florida residents
Management Area Permit	$26.50 annual / $126.50 5-year	$26.50 annual	Needed for many WMAs
Deer Permit	$5.00 annual / $25.00 5-year	$5.00 annual	Extra fee
Turkey Permit	$10.00 annual / $50.00 5-year	$125.00 annual	Nonresident annual hunting license required
Archery Permit	$5.00 annual / $25.00 5-year	$5.00 annual	For archery season
Crossbow Permit	$5.00 annual / $25.00 5-year	$5.00 annual	For crossbow season
Muzzleloading Gun Permit	$5.00 annual / $25.00 5-year	$5.00 annual	For muzzleloader season
Migratory Bird Permit	No cost	No cost	Valid Sept. 1-Mar. 31
Florida Waterfowl Permit	$5.00 annual / $25.00 5-year	$5.00 annual	Needed for waterfowl
Federal Duck Stamp	$28.50	$28.50	Separate federal requirement
Furbearer License	$26.50	$26.50	Separate from basic hunting license
Lifetime Hunting License	$201.50-$501.50	—	Resident only; age-based
Lifetime Gold Sportsman’s	$401.50-$1,001.50	—	Resident only; age-based
Short-term Nonresident License	Verify current offering	Verify current offering	FWC materials retrieved do not confirm a standard short-term fee here; a 10-day nonresident license cannot be used for spring turkey

Important Hunting Regulations

Florida uses Zone A, B, C, and D for deer.
Antlerless deer dates can also change by DMU.
Deer daily bag limit is 2.
Deer possession limit is 4.
Deer annual statewide bag limit is 5.
No more than 2 antlerless deer may count toward the annual deer limit, except DMU D2, where 3 may be antlerless.
Hunters must log and report every harvested deer and wild turkey.
Logging must happen before moving the animal from the harvest site.
Reporting must happen within 24 hours or before final processing, transfer, or leaving the state.
On public land, deer hunters and companions must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange above the waist.
Blaze orange is not required during archery-only season or on private land.
General legal hours for resident game are half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
Spring turkey and migratory bird hunting generally end at sunset.
Crow hunting runs to half an hour after sunset.
Raccoons, opossums, and coyotes may be taken by gun day or night.
Wild hogs may be hunted on private land year-round, day or night, with permission.
Private-land hog hunters do not need a hunting license or permits.
On many WMAs, you need both a hunting license and a management area permit.
Some WMAs also require a quota permit.
Dogs used for deer, hog, fox, or coyote pursuit must have remote tracking and behavior correction capability.
Dogs on private land for deer hunting require written landowner permission.
Deer-dog hunting on WMAs requires a no-cost WMA deer-dog permit.
Recorded game calls or sounds are prohibited for game species.
Drones cannot be used to shoot, harass, herd, or drive wildlife.
Taking game from roads, rights-of-way, or from moving vehicles is illegal.
Motorboats must stop all forward progress before taking game.
For deer, rimfire cartridges are illegal.
Centerfire semi-auto rifles over five-round magazine capacity are illegal for taking game.
For deer and turkey, legal PCP air guns must meet minimum caliber standards.
Deer/turkey arrows or bolts need 7/8-inch minimum broadheads.
Waterfowl shotguns must be 10-gauge or smaller and plugged to three shells.
Only nontoxic shot may be possessed while hunting ducks, geese, and coots.
Hunting waterfowl over bait is illegal.
Turkey hunters may not hunt with dogs, shoot birds on the roost, or hunt within 100 yards of a feeding station when feed is present.
Florida restricts import of whole deer carcasses and high-risk cervid parts from outside Florida and from the CWD Management Zone.
A hunting license does not give permission to enter private property.
ATVs and OHMs used on public land must follow Florida title and access rules.
WMA season dates and shooting hours can differ from statewide dates.
Harvest numbers from public areas can be compared in FWC harvest reports, but they should not be treated as exact biological comparisons.

Best Hunting Places in Florida

Best Deer Hunting Areas

Green Swamp WMA – Big public acreage in central Florida with solid deer, hog, and turkey opportunity. Wet ground and seasonal high water make it better for hunters who do their homework.
Blackwater WMA – Huge Panhandle landscape with longleaf pine, swamps, and multiple hunt styles. It suits hunters who want room to roam and do not mind large-country scouting.
Lake George WMA – Good option for hunters who like mixed access, water edges, and a public-land feel without the crowd of some headline areas.

Best Turkey Hunting Areas

Apalachicola, Aucilla, and Blackwater WMAs – FWC points hunters to these and many other spring turkey areas that can offer walk-in opportunity without a quota permit on all or part of the season.
J.W. Corbett and Three Lakes – Well-known public names for serious turkey hunters, though nonresident access rules are tighter during the first nine days of spring season on some non-quota units.

Best Waterfowl Hunting Areas

T.M. Goodwin PSGHA – A popular public waterfowl destination with structured access and youth event history.
STA-1W, STA-2, STA-3/4 – Public-access waterfowl opportunities that reward planning and permit awareness.
Guana River–Lake Ponte Vedra PSGHA – Good pick for coastal bird hunters looking for managed public access.

Best Small Game Areas

Blackwater WMA – Strong fit for quail and small game hunters who like pine woods and room for dogs where legal.
Green Swamp WMA – Better for adaptable hunters targeting squirrels, rabbits, and hogs in changing wet conditions.

Best Public Hunting Lands

Florida manages about 6 million acres of public hunting through its WMA system. That gives hunters real variety, but it also means access rules, vehicle rules, and permit needs can change sharply from one area to the next.

Best Wildlife Management Areas

Start with Green Swamp, Blackwater, Lake George, J.W. Corbett, Three Lakes, Apalachicola, and T.M. Goodwin. Then narrow your choice by species, quota needs, terrain tolerance, and travel distance.

Bag Limits

Species	Daily Limit	Possession Limit	Special Notes
Deer	2	4	Annual limit 5; max 2 antlerless except DMU D2 may allow 3
Wild Turkey	2	2 season limit	Fall combined limit 2; spring combined limit 2; WMAs often 1 per day
Wild Hog	No statewide limit on private land	No statewide limit on private land	WMA limits can vary
Quail	12	24	Statewide
Gray Squirrel	12	24	Year-round
Rabbit	12	24	Year-round
Bobcat	No limit	No limit	Dec. 1-Mar. 31
Otter	No limit	No limit	Dec. 1-Mar. 1
Ducks	6 aggregate	3x daily limit	Species sub-limits apply
Canada Goose	5	15	Waterfowl permits required
Light Geese	15	No limit	Waterfowl rules apply
Coot	15	45	Nontoxic shot required
Common Gallinule	15	45	Purple gallinule closed
Rail (King/Clapper)	15	45
Rail (Sora/Virginia)	25	75
Snipe	8	24
Woodcock	3	9
Mourning/White-winged Dove	15	45	Combined dove rules
Crow	No limit	No limit	Sat./Sun. only in early phase

Legal Hunting Hours

Florida’s general rule is simple: most resident game and crows can be hunted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, there are important exceptions. Spring turkey and migratory bird hunting usually close at sunset, and some WMAs shorten spring turkey hours to 1 p.m. Waterfowl also follows the sunrise-to-sunset rule, with extra location restrictions in places like Leon County waters and parts of Hernando County. Night hunting is limited. Private-land wild hog hunting can happen day or night with permission, and raccoons, opossums, and coyotes may also be taken at night by gun where lawful.

Hunter Education Requirements

Florida requires hunter education for anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, if that hunter is 16 or older and wants to buy a hunting license for firearms, bows, crossbows, or muzzleloaders. Florida accepts approved out-of-state hunter education cards. Hunters who qualify can use a hunter safety mentoring deferral, but they must hunt under a qualified supervisor who is at least 21 and already meets Florida’s hunter safety rules. Online course options are available, and some students may also need an in-person component depending on the course path they choose.

Public vs Private Land Hunting

Private land hunting in Florida begins with permission. A license never overrides trespass law, and deer-dog use on private land needs written landowner permission. Public land is a different system. On WMAs, statewide seasons are only the starting point because area brochures control many details such as check stations, access routes, dogs, vehicle use, shooting hours, and whether a quota permit is required. National forests, state forests, public small game hunting areas, and national wildlife refuges can all carry special rules. Smart hunters download the specific brochure before the trip and treat it like part of their gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does hunting season start in Florida?

For 2026-2027, Florida’s earliest major opener is Zone A deer archery on Aug. 1.

Do I need a hunting license in Florida?

Usually yes. Major exceptions include private-land wild hog hunting and several resident exemption categories.

Can nonresidents hunt in Florida?

Yes, but they must buy Florida licenses and permits. Spring turkey rules are tighter for nonresidents in some areas.

Can I hunt on Sundays in Florida?

Yes, unless a specific WMA or local restriction says otherwise.

Do I need a deer permit?

Yes, if you are hunting deer and are not exempt.

Can I use a crossbow in Florida?

Yes, during crossbow season and in other legal seasons where the method is allowed.

Can I use an air gun for deer?

Yes, but only a legal PCP air gun meeting Florida minimums.

Do I need hunter education?

If you were born on or after June 1, 1975 and are 16 or older, usually yes.

Can I hunt wild hogs without a license?

Yes, on private land with permission. WMA rules are different.

Can I bait deer in Florida?

Private-land feeding rules are limited, and baiting rules are stricter for migratory birds and turkeys. Always check the exact rule before hunting.

Can I hunt deer on public land without blaze orange?

Not during deer hunting unless you are in an archery-only season. Florida requires 500 square inches of fluorescent orange.

Can I hunt at night?

Only certain species and situations allow it, such as private-land hog hunting and some predator/furbearer situations.

Do I need a federal duck stamp in Florida?

Yes, for waterfowl hunting along with Florida’s waterfowl permit and migratory bird permit.

Are WMA dates the same as statewide dates?

Not always. Many public areas have their own brochures, hours, quota rules, and closures.

Final Thoughts

Florida offers one of the longest and most varied hunting calendars in the South, but it also demands careful planning. Zones, DMUs, WMA brochures, bag limits, and harvest reporting all matter. Hunters who stay organized, respect private property, wear the right safety gear, and confirm the method-of-take rules will have a much smoother season.

Before you hunt, double-check the latest updates on the official Florida FWC hunting regulations and the official FWC hunting license and permit page. That quick final review is the best way to stay legal, safe, and conservation-minded during Florida hunting season 2026-2027.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.