Florida Hunter’s Resource for 2024: Essential Guide to Dates & Regulations

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. 

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 2024 hunting timeline in Florida, including key dates, bag limits, and license requirements.

FL Wildlife Conservation Commission Game Schedule

Big Games

Deer

Antlered

Zone A:

• Archery: Aug 3 – Sep 1
• Crossbow: Aug 3 – Sep 6
• Muzzleloader: Sep 7-20
• Youth Hunt: Sep 14-15
• Gun: Sep 21-Oct 20 & Nov 23-Jan 5

Zone B:

• Archery: Oct 19 – Nov 17
• Crossbow: Oct 19 – Nov 22
• Muzzleloader: Nov 23 – Dec 6
• Youth Hunt: Nov 30-Dec 1
• Gun: Dec 7 – Feb 23

Zone C:

• Archery: Sep 14 – Oct 13
• Crossbow: Sep 14 – Oct 18
• Muzzleloader: Oct 19 – Nov 1
• Youth Hunt: Oct 26-27
• Gun: Nov 2 – Jan 19

Zone D:

• Archery: Oct 26 – Nov 27
• Crossbow: Oct 26 – Nov 27 & Dec 2-6
• Muzzleloader: Dec 7-13 & Feb 24-Mar 2
• Youth Hunt: Dec 7-8
• Gun: Nov 28-Dec 1 & Dec 14-Feb 23

Antlerless

Zone A:

• Archery:
  • DMU A2: Aug 3-11
  • DMU A3: Aug 3-18
• Crossbow: Same as Archery
• Youth Weekend: DMU A2 & A3: Sept 14-15 (1)
• General Gun:
  • DMU A2: Nov 23-24
  • DMU A3: Nov 23-26

Zone B:

• Archery: Oct 19 – Nov 17
• Crossbow: Same as Archery
• Youth Weekend: Nov 30 – Dec 1
• General Gun: Dec 27-29

Zone C:

• Archery: Sept 14 – Oct 13
• Crossbow: Same as Archery
• Muzzleloader: DMU C5 only: Oct 19-20
• Youth Weekend: Oct 26-27
• General Gun:
  • DMU C1: Nov 22-25
  • DMU C2: Nov 22-24
  • DMU C3: Nov 22-24
  • DMU C4: Nov 22-25
  • DMU C5: Nov 2-3 & 16-17
  • DMU C6: Nov 22-25

Zone D (New Changes):

• DMU D1:
  • Archery: Oct 26 – Nov 27
  • Crossbow: Same as Archery
  • Youth Weekend: Dec 7-8
  • General Gun: Nov 30-Dec 1 & Dec 28-29
• DMU D2:
  • Archery: Oct 26 – Nov 27
  • Crossbow: Oct 26 – Nov 27 & Dec 2-6
  • Youth Weekend: Dec 7-8
  • General Gun: Nov 28-Dec 1 & Dec 14-Feb 23
  • Muzzleloader: Dec 7-13 & Feb 24-Mar 2

Deer Dog Training

By Zones:

• A: Aug. 17 – Sept. 5
• B: Nov. 2-21
• C: Sept. 28 – Oct. 17
• D: Oct. 26 – Nov. 14

Bag Limits

Turkey

Zone A:

• Archery: Aug 3-Sept 1
• Crossbow: Aug 3-Sept 6
• Muzzleloader: Sept 7-20
• Fall Season: Oct 7-20 & Nov 23-Jan 5 (2)

Zone B:

• Archery: Oct 19-Nov 17
• Crossbow: Oct 19-Nov 22
• Muzzleloader: Nov 23-Dec 6
• Fall Season: Dec 7-Feb 2 (2)

Zone C:

• Archery: Sept 14-Oct 13
• Crossbow: Sept 14-Oct 18
• Muzzleloader: Oct 19-Nov 1
• Fall Season: Nov 2-Dec 29 (2)

Zone D:

• Archery: Oct 26-Nov 27
• Crossbow: Oct 26-Nov 27, Dec 2-6
• Muzzleloader: Dec 7-13
• Fall Season: Nov 28-Dec 1 & Dec 14-Jan 19 (2)

Spring Turkey (Gobblers only):

• Daily Bag Limit: 2 turkeys
• Season Limit: 2 turkeys total across all spring seasons

North of State Road 70:

• Youth Weekend: March 8-9 (3)
• Spring Season: March 15-April 20

South of State Road 70:

• Youth Weekend: Feb 22-23 (3)
• Spring Season: March 1-April 6

Small Games

Gray Squirrels and Rabbits

• Open all year
• Daily bag limit: 12 per species
• Possession limit: 24 per species
• Legal methods: rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow

Quail

• November 9th through March 2nd.
• Daily 12/Possession 24

Furbearers

Bobcat and Otter

• Dec. 1 – March 31

Otter

• Dec. 1 – March 1

Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, Nutria, Beaver, and Coyotes

• Open all year

Note:

• No bag or possession limits
• Legal methods: rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow

Migratory Birds & Water fowls

Crow

• Aug 10-Oct 27 (Sat & Sun only),
• Nov 11-Feb 18

Dove

• (Mourning & White-winged)
• Sept 28-Oct 20, Nov 9-Dec 1, Dec 19-Jan 31

Rails

• Sept 1-Nov 9
• (King & Clapper)
• (Sora & Virginia)

Common Gallinule

• (Moorhen)
• Sept 1-Nov 9

Canada Goose (W)

• Sept 7-29, Nov 23-Dec 1, Dec 1-Jan 30

Duck (W)

• Teal & Wood Duck: Sept 21-25,
• Teal Only: Sept 26-29, Nov 23-Dec 1, Dec 7-Jan 26

Snipe

• Nov 1-Feb 15
•  

Coot

• Nov 23-Dec 1, Dec 7-Jan 26

Light Geese

• (Snow, Blue & Ross’) (W)
• Nov 23-Dec 1, Dec 7-Jan 26

Merganser

• (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded) (W):
• Nov 23-Dec 1, Dec 7-Jan 26

Woodcock

• Dec 18-Jan 31

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

• Nov 16, Feb 8

Veterans & Active Military Waterfowl Days

• Feb 1-2

Waterfowl Bag Limit

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

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.

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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.

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