Did you know Florida holds the #7 ranking nationwide for per capita hunting license holders? This might be unexpected with Florida’s ample public hunting locations and diverse range of game species. It hints at an unexplored gem for dedicated sportsmans seeking a unique and less crowded adventure.

Jump To The Section

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a curious newcomer, Florida’s hunting period offer a variety of opportunities to explore the state’s natural beauty and pursue a variety of game species. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the 2025 hunting timeline in Florida, including key dates, bag limits, and license requirements.

FL Wildlife Conservation Commission Game Schedule

🦌 Whitetail Deer (All Zones Specified)

Northern Highlands (Zone A)

Traditional Archery: August 2-31 (longbows/recurves only)
Mechanical Archery: August 2 – September 5 (crossbows permitted)
Primitive Weapons: September 6-19 (muzzleloaders .40cal+)
Next Generation Hunt: September 13-14 (licensed youth + mentor)
Modern Firearms: September 20 – October 19 AND November 22 – January 4 (centerfire rifles allowed)

Central Plains (Zone B)

Stick-and-String: October 18 – November 16 (no crossbows)
Assisted Archery: October 18 – November 21 (crossbows allowed)
Blackpowder Season: November 22 – December 5 (single projectile)
Youth Opportunity: November 29-30 (ages 8-16)
General Season: December 6 – February 22 (any legal firearm)

Western Foothills (Zone C)

Arrow Season: September 13 – October 12 (broadheads only)
Crossbow Window: September 13 – October 17
Smoke Pole Days: October 18-31 (ignition systems unrestricted)
Young Sportsmen: October 25-26 (junior license required)
Rifle/Pistol Season: November 1 – January 18

Southern Wetlands (Zone D)

Bowhunting: October 25 – November 26 (minimum 40lb draw)
Crossbow Extension: December 1-5
Muzzleloader: December 6-12 (scopes permitted)
Apprentice Weekend: December 6-7 (novice hunters)
General Firearms: Three segments:
- November 27-30
- December 13 – February 22
- February 23 – March 1 (antlerless only)

🦃 Turkey (Complete Season Details)

Fall Harvest

Zone A: October 6-19 AND November 22 – January 4 (either sex)
Zone B: December 6 – February 1 (bearded only)
Zone C: November 1 – December 28 (1 bird daily limit)
Zone D: November 27-30 AND December 13 – January 18 (2 bird bag)

Spring Gobblers

Southern Zone: March 7 – April 12 (shooting hours ½ hr before sunrise to 1pm)
Northern Zone: March 21 – April 26 (same hours)
Youth Previews:
- South: February 27 – March 2
- North: March 13-16
Special Regulations: No baiting, electronic calls prohibited

🦫 Furbearer Seasons (Complete List)

Year-Round Pursuit

Raccoon (night hunting allowed)
Opossum (no bag limits)
Coyote (electronic calls permitted)
Wild Hog (no size restrictions)
Armadillo (destruction permitted)
Nutria (in wetland areas only)

Winter Pelts (December 1 – March 31)

Bobcat (pelt tagging required)
Gray Fox (must report harvest)
River Otter (special permit needed)
Mink (trap only in some counties)

🐦 Upland Game Birds

Bobwhite Quail

Season: November 8 – March 1
Daily Limit: 12 birds
Methods: Shotguns (shot size #6 or smaller), falconry permitted
Special Areas: Requires WMA permit in management zones

Rabbit & Squirrel

Cottontail: Year-round (private land only)
Gray Squirrel: October 15 – March 1 (public lands)
Daily Combined Limit: 12
Legal Take: Air rifles .177cal+, .22LR or smaller

🦆 Waterfowl (Detailed Breakdown)

Duck Seasons

Early Teal: September 20-24 (blue-winged only)
Regular Season:
- First Split: November 22-30
- Second Split: December 6 – January 25
Species Restrictions:
- Mallard: 4 (2 hens max)
- Wood Duck: 3
- Pintail: 2
- Canvasback: 1

Goose Populations

Resident Canada: September 1-25 (15 bird limit)
Migratory Canada: November 22 – January 25 (5 daily)
Light Geese: November 22 – March 10 (no limit conservation order)

Waterfowl Bag Limit

Species/Season	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Crow	No Limit	No Limit
Rail (King and clapper)	15	45
Rail (Sora and Virginia)	25	75
Common Gallinule (Moorhen)	15	45
Canada Goose (W)	5	15
Duck (W)	3 times the daily bag limit	–
Dove (Mourning and white-winged)	15	45
Snipe	8	24
Coot	15	45
Light Geese (Snow, blue and Ross’) (W)	15	No Limit
Merganser (Common, red-breasted, hooded) (W)	5	15
Woodcock	3	9

Game Regulations

General Regulations:

Permissions are necessary before you take any wildlife or their homes like nests, eggs, young, or dens.
Keep chemicals and gasoline away from wildlife and their homes.
You can’t aim and discharge guns remotely.
Check the rules if you’re dealing with amphibians, reptiles, or birds.
Don’t hunt Key deer, Florida panthers, and Fox squirrels, their protection is a priority.

Migratory Bird:

For birds such as ducks, geese, rails, and doves, particular seasons and bag limits are in place.
Remember to check the rules of your hunting spot as restrictions can differ based on species and wildlife areas.
Some places have unique rules.
Tags are required for migratory game birds by all hunters.
Using non-toxic shot is a must for hunting ducks, geese, and coots.

Furbearer:

The season to trap bobcats and otters spans from Dec. 1 until March 1. There’s no limit on the catch.
Raccoons, opossums, coyotes, beavers, skunks, and nutria can be trapped any time without any limit.
You need a furbearer trapping license to trap or sell furs/meat of such animals.
You can use pistols, live traps, snares, and pre-recorded game calls. You must check your traps every 24 hours.
Steel leg-hold and body-grip traps are banned.
Don’t trap or shoot foxes. But you can chase them with dogs all year.
If you want to sell furs, you need a fur dealer and buyer’s license.
Under certain conditions, commercial use of bobcat and otter pelts requires CITES tags.

Permits and Licenses

License Type	Resident Cost	Non-Resident Cost
Annual	$17.00	$151.50
Sportsman’s	$80.50	–
Gold Sportsman’s	$100.00	–
Youth	Free (ages 8-15)	–
Nonresident 10-Day	–	$46.50
Lifetime Hunt	$501.50
Lifetime Sportsman	$1,001.50
Pertmit Type
Management Area	$26.50	$26.50
Deer	$5.00	$5.00
Archery	$5.00	$5.00
Crossbow	$5.00	$5.00
Muzzleloading Gun	$5.00	$5.00
Turkey	$10.00	$125.00
Florida Waterfowl	$5.00	$5.00

Note: This is a simplified list. Always check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website for the latest licensing requirements and fees.

Top Florida Outdoor Locations

North Central Region:

Osceola Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Famed for its rich population of black bears, this place becomes a captivating spot for seasoned hunters. One can also find plenty of deer and turkey in this WMA.

Northeast Region:

Ocala National Forest: A large wild area. Great for hunting white-tailed deer. Wild hog, turkey, and quail can also be found.

Central Florida:

Lake Okeechobee: A delight for waterfowl hunters, full of ducks, geese, and coots during migration.

South Florida:

Big Cypress National Preserve: Provides opportunities for wild hog and smaller game like rabbits and squirrels.

Northwest Florida:

Apalachicola National Forest: Offers diverse hunting for deer, turkey, & small game, like quail and squirrels. Controlled wild hog hunts are also available.

Everglades National Park:

While not usual hunting terrain, the Everglades allow for bowhunting alligator during special hunts.

Author
Recent Posts

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.

Florida Hunter’s Resource for 2025-2026: Essential Guide to Dates & Regulations