State Guide

Florida Hunting Guide 2026

Complete Florida hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.

Wildlife Agency

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

Florida Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $17 Non-res: $151.5

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Jul 29	Oct 27
Muzzleloader	Oct 28	Nov 10
Rifle	Nov 11	Feb 18

Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you plan around them.

Bag limits: daily: 2, season: 5 (2 antlered)

Season dates vary significantly by zone (A, B, C, D). Some zones open much earlier. Very early archery season in some zones.

Turkey

Res: $17 Non-res: $151.5

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Mar 2	Apr 21
Archery	Mar 2	Apr 21

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2

Osceola turkey (found only in Florida) and Eastern turkey. Spring gobblers only. Turkey permit required.

Wild Hog

Res: $17 Non-res: $151.5

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Jan 1	Dec 31
Archery	Jan 1	Dec 31

Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit

Year-round on private land with no bag limit. On WMAs, may be taken during specific seasons. Major nuisance species.

Duck/Waterfowl

Res: $17 Non-res: $151.5

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Nov 11	Jan 28

Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit

Federal duck stamp required. Split season. Ring-necked ducks and teal are common. Lake Okeechobee region is productive.

Quail

Res: $17 Non-res: $151.5

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Nov 11	Mar 3

Bag limits: daily: 12, season: No limit

Bobwhite quail. Wild populations declining. Many hunters use plantation preserves. North Florida has the best wild populations.

Planning Tools

Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states

Florida Hunting Guides

destinations

Florida Deer Hunting: Public Land, Late Rut, and WMAs

Florida Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in Florida?

Yes. All hunters in Florida must hold a valid hunting license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.

What is the hunting license cost in Florida?

Florida license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $17, non-resident $151.5. Turkey: resident $17, non-resident $151.5.

When is deer season in Florida?

Florida deer seasons: Archery: Jul 29 - Oct 27, Muzzleloader: Oct 28 - Nov 10, Rifle: Nov 11 - Feb 18.

Does Florida require a hunter safety course?

Yes, Florida requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.

Who manages hunting regulations in Florida?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in Florida. Their website (https://myfwc.com) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.