Complete Guide to Florida Hunting Seasons in 2025-2026
Organizing your Sunshine State hunting excursions? From the renowned Osceola turkey to year-round wild hog action, Florida provides some of the most distinctive and varied hunting experiences in the nation. Everything you need to know about the 2025–2026 season is broken down in this guide, including dates, zones, licenses, and information on public lands. Always confirm the most recent rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before hunting, whether you’re a local or a visitor. Let’s begin!🌲🎯
📅 Quick Snapshot
Here’s a snapshot of what to expect in the 2025–2026 season:
- White-Tailed Deer: Seasons vary by zone (A, B, C, D) and method (archery, muzzleloader, general gun).
- Wild Turkey: Spring and fall seasons, with a dedicated youth hunt.
- Wild Hog: Year-round on private land with landowner permission (no bag limits).
- Small Game: Squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove seasons typically run fall through winter.
- Waterfowl: Ducks, geese, and teal follow federal frameworks with state-specific zones.
- Youth Opportunities: Special weekends for deer and turkey.
- Public Land: Over 6 million acres of wildlife management areas (WMAs) require additional permits.
🦌 Big Game Overview
Florida’s deer seasons are divided into four zones (A, B, C, D), each with different dates. Antlerless deer seasons are also zone-specific and often shorter. Note: Elk and bear hunting are not permitted in Florida .
🦌 White-Tailed Deer Seasons
Deer seasons vary by zone and method (archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, general gun). Antlerless deer seasons are shorter and DMU-specific .
| Season Type | Zone A Dates | Zone B Dates | Zone C Dates | Zone D Dates | Legal Methods | Key Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 2–31 | Oct 18–Nov 16 | Sept 13–Oct 12 | Oct 25–Nov 26 | Bows only | Antler regulations vary by DMU . |
| Crossbow | Aug 2–Sept 5 | Oct 18–Nov 21 | Sept 13–Oct 17 | Oct 25–Nov 26, Dec 1–5 | Crossbows, bows, airbows | Same as archery seasons . |
| Muzzleloader | Sept 6–19 | Nov 22–Dec 5 | Oct 18–31 | Dec 6–12, Feb 23–Mar 1 | Muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, airbows | Only muzzleloading guns loaded from the muzzle . |
| General Gun | Sept 20–Oct 19, Nov 22–Jan 4 | Dec 6–Feb 22 | Nov 1–Jan 18 | Nov 27–30, Dec 13–Feb 22 | Centerfire rifles, shotguns, pistols, muzzleloaders, air guns, crossbows, bows | Hunter orange (500 sq in) required . |
| Youth Deer Hunt Weekend | Sept 13–14 | Nov 29–30 | Oct 25–26 | Dec 6–7 | Any legal method | Youth 15 & under, supervised by adult. 1 deer per weekend . |
| Antlerless Deer (Private Land) | DMU A2: Aug 2–10 DMU A3: Aug 2–17 | Oct 18–Nov 16 (archery/crossbow) | Varies by DMU (e.g., DMU C5: Nov 1–30) | Not specified in search results | Same as seasonal methods | Specific to DMUs; check regulations . |
Bag Limits :
- Daily: 2 deer
- Possession: 4 deer
- Annual: 5 deer (only 2 antlerless, except in DMU D2 where 3 may be antlerless).
- Exclusions: Deer taken under special permit programs (e.g., Antlerless Deer Permit) or from licensed game farms do not count toward bag limits.
Antler Regulations :
- Vary by DMU (e.g., some units require bucks to have at least 2 points on one side). Check the FWC’s DMU map for specifics.
Youth Deer Hunt Weekends
- Zone A: Sept 13–14, 2025
- Zone B: Nov 29–30, 2025
- Zone C: Oct 25–26, 2025
- Zone D: Dec 6–7, 2025
Youth 15 and younger must be supervised by an adult. One deer may be harvested per weekend .
Deer-Dog Training Seasons :
- Zone A: Aug 16–Sept 4
- Zone B: Nov 1–20
- Zone C: Sept 27–Oct 16
- Zone D: Oct 25–Nov 13
🐗 Wild Hog Hunting
- Season: Year-round on private land with landowner permission .
- Bag Limit: None .
- Methods: Any legal method, including firearms, bows, and traps .
- Public Land: Hogs may be taken during other game seasons with appropriate licenses .
- License: Not required on private land with permission .
🦃 Turkey Dates
Turkey seasons include spring and fall hunts in Florida, with a youth weekend in the spring.
| Season | Dates | Methods | Bag Limits & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | North of SR 70: Mar 21–Apr 26, 2026 South of SR 70: Mar 7–Apr 12, 2026 | Shotgun, bow, muzzleloader, air gun | 2 gobblers daily, 4 per season. Shooting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to 1 PM. |
| Fall | Zone A: Oct 6–19, Nov 22–Jan 4 Zone B: Dec 6–Feb 1 Zone C: Nov 1–Dec 28 Zone D: Nov 27–30, Dec 13–Jan 18 | Shotgun, bow, muzzleloader, air gun | 2 turkeys daily, 2 per season for all fall seasons combined. |
| Youth | North of SR 70: Mar 13–16, 2026 South of SR 70: Feb 27–Mar 2, 2026 | Shotgun, bow, muzzleloader, air gun | Youth 15 and younger must be supervised by an adult. |
🦝 Furbearer Opportunities
Some species like coyote can be hunted year-round, while others have specific seasons.
| Species | Season | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Year-round | Firearms, bow, electronic calls | No bag limit. |
| Bobcat | Dec 1–Mar 31 | Firearms, bow | No bag limit. |
| Otter | Dec 1–Mar 1 | Firearms, bow | No bag limit. |
| Raccoon | Year-round (private land) | Firearms, bow, traps | Check public land rules. |
| Gray Fox & Red Fox | Dec 1–Mar 1 | Firearms, bow | No bag limit. |
Trapping requires a special permit and has additional regulations .
🐦 Small Game Section
Small game seasons are perfect for beginners and offer long windows of opportunity.
| Species | Season | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Gray Squirrel | Oct 14–Mar 5 | 12 |
| Rabbit | Nov 18–Mar 5 | 12 |
| Quail | Nov 8–Mar 1 | 12 |
| Mourning Dove | Sept 2–Oct 29 (split season) | 15 |
| Pheasant | Not listed in search results | Check regulations |
Seasons and bag limits may vary on WMAs .
🦆 Complete Waterfowl Seasons
Waterfowl seasons follow federal frameworks and include state-specific zones.
| Species | Season (Approximate) | Daily Bag Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Late Nov 2025 – Late Jan 2026 | 6 | Species-specific limits apply. |
| Geese | Varies by zone | 5–15 | Light and dark goose seasons differ. |
| Teal | Sept 20–28 (approx.) | 6 | Early season only. |
| Youth Waterfowl Days | One weekend in Feb 2026 | Same as regular season | Supervised hunt for youth. |
Federal duck stamp and Florida waterfowl permit required .
🐗 Other Available Game
Don’t overlook these unique opportunities!
| Species | Season | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Hog | Year-round on private land | Any legal method | No bag limits, no license required (with landowner permission). Public land rules vary. |
| Crow | Thurs–Sat only, Jul 3, 2025 – Mar 26, 2026 | Calling, shotgun | No bag limit. |
| Frog | Year-round | Gig, spear, hand | Requires fishing license. |
🗺️ Hunting Zones
Florida is divided into four hunting zones (A, B, C, D) for deer and turkey, each with unique dates and rules. Additionally, Deer Management Units (DMUs) within these zones may have antler restrictions or special antlerless seasons .
- Public Land: Florida offers over 6 million acres of WMAs. A WMA permit is required in addition to a hunting license. Some areas have quota hunts; apply early through the FWC’s lottery system .
- Private Land: Always obtain written permission from the landowner. Antlerless deer permits may be available for private lands in certain zones .
Use the FWC WMA Finder to locate public hunting areas.
🎟️ Permits, Tags & Licenses Details
All hunters must carry the required licenses and permits. Here’s a breakdown:
| License/Permit | Resident Fee | Non-Resident Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License | $17.00 | $151.50 | Required for all hunters 16+ unless exempt. |
| 5-Year Hunting License | $79.00 | N/A | For residents only. |
| 10-Day Hunting License | N/A | $46.50 | For non-residents only. |
| Youth Hunting License | $17.00 | $17.00 | For hunters under 16. |
| WMA Permit | $26.50 | $126.50 | Required for public land hunting. |
| Turkey Permit | $10.00 | $25.00 | Required for turkey hunting. |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $28.99 | $28.99 | Required for waterfowl hunters 16+. |
🔑 Key Licensing Notes:
- Hunter Education: Required for anyone born after June 1, 1975, and 16 or older .
- Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer and turkey within 24 hours of harvest .
- Exemptions: No license needed for wild hogs on private land with landowner permission .
❓ Florida Hunting Quick FAQ
Q: Can non-residents hunt turkeys in Florida?
A: Yes, but non-residents are limited to 10% of spring turkey quota permits and cannot hunt the first 9 days of the season in certain WMAs .
Q: Are airbows legal?
A: Airbows are now allowed during crossbow and muzzleloader seasons on private lands .
Q: Is hunter orange required?
A: Yes, during general gun season—500 square inches of hunter orange must be worn .
Q: What are the new public hunting areas for 2025–2026?
A: Six new areas have been added: C-44 STA, Deep Creek, Dinner Island Ranch-Caracara Unit, Green Heart of the Everglades, Lake Apopka North Shore, and Rice Creek .
Q: Can I use dogs for deer hunting?
A: Yes, but only during designated dog training seasons and in specific zones .
Q: Are there any new antlerless deer opportunities?
A: Yes, antlerless deer harvest opportunities have been expanded in Zones B, C, and D on private lands .
🔗 List of Related Guides
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) (Your go-to resource for regulations!)
- FWC Hunting Handbook
- FWC WMA Finder
- For hunting seasons in other states, check out the guide for Alabama.
Conclusion
Florida’s 2025–2026 hunting season offers something for everyone, from the challenging Osceola turkey to the year-round wild hog action. Remember to check the latest regulations with the FWC, secure your licenses and permits early, and always prioritize safety. Respect the land, whether public or private, and enjoy the unique opportunities the Sunshine State has to offer. Bookmark this page and the FWC website for updates, and happy hunting! 🐾