Note
Season dates, bag limits, and weapon types may vary by zone (A–D) and Deer Management Unit (DMU). Always confirm the most recent information on the FWC website.
1. White-tailed Deer Seasons
|
Zone |
Archery Season |
Crossbow Season |
Muzzleloading Gun Season |
Youth Deer Hunt Weekend |
General Gun Season |
|
A |
Aug. 2 – Aug. 31 2025 |
Aug. 2 – Sept. 5 2025 |
Sept. 6 – Sept. 19 2025 |
Sept. 13–14 2025 |
Sept. 20 – Oct. 19 2025 & Nov. 22 – Jan. 4 2026 |
|
B |
Oct. 18 – Nov. 16 2025 |
Oct. 18 – Nov. 21 2025 |
Nov. 22 – Dec. 5 2025 |
Nov. 29–30 2025 |
Dec. 6 2025 – Feb. 22 2026 |
|
C |
Sept. 13 – Oct. 12 2025 |
Sept. 13 – Oct. 17 2025 |
Oct. 18 – Oct. 31 2025 |
Oct. 25–26 2025 |
Nov. 1 2025 – Jan. 18 2026 |
|
D |
Oct. 25 – Nov. 26 2025 |
Oct. 25 – Nov. 26 & Dec. 1–5 2025 |
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12 2025; Feb. 24 – Mar. 1 2026 |
Dec. 6–7 2025 |
Nov. 27–30 2025 & Dec. 13 2025 – Feb. 22 2026 |
Antlerless Deer (By Permit or DMU Only)
|
Example: Zone A (DMU A2) |
Dates |
|
Archery/Crossbow |
Aug. 2–10 2025 |
|
Youth Deer Hunt |
Sept. 13–14 2025 |
|
General Gun (DMU A2) |
Nov. 22–23 2025 |
Notes:
-
Youth Deer Hunt Weekends are for hunters 15 years and younger, supervised by a non-hunting adult (18+).
-
Antlerless deer harvest days vary by DMU. Always verify local rules.
2. Wild Turkey Seasons
|
Season Type |
Approximate Dates |
Notes |
|
Fall Archery / Crossbow |
Oct. 1 – Oct. 31 2025 (varies by zone/WMA) |
Only in areas where fall turkey is open |
|
Spring Youth Hunt |
Mar. 7–8 2026 (South of SR 70) / Mar. 21–22 2026 (North of SR 70) |
Youths < 16, supervised by non-hunting adult |
|
Spring General Season |
Mar. 15 – Apr. 20 2026 (South of SR 70); Mar. 29 – May 4 2026 (North of SR 70) |
Bag limit: 2 bearded turkeys per spring season |
|
Fall General Season |
Varies by zone and WMA |
Some counties closed for fall turkey hunting |
3. Small Game Seasons
|
Species |
Season Dates |
Daily Bag Limit |
Possession Limit |
|
Gray Squirrel |
Year-round |
12 |
24 |
|
Rabbit |
Year-round |
12 |
24 |
|
Bobwhite Quail |
Nov. 9 2025 – Mar. 2 2026 |
12 |
24 |
4. Furbearer Seasons
|
Species |
Season Dates |
Daily Bag Limit |
Notes |
|
Bobcat |
Dec. 1 2025 – Mar. 1 2026 |
No limit |
Trapping only |
|
River Otter |
Dec. 1 2025 – Mar. 1 2026 |
No limit |
Trapping only |
|
Coyote |
Year-round |
No limit |
May be hunted day or night |
|
Raccoon |
Year-round |
No limit |
Legal day/night; dogs allowed |
|
Opossum |
Year-round |
No limit |
Legal day/night; dogs allowed |
|
Skunk & Nutria |
Year-round |
No limit |
No closed season |
5. Migratory Bird & Waterfowl Reference
For full details on ducks, geese, doves, coots, snipe, rails, woodcock, etc., refer to the
2025–2026 Florida Migratory Bird Hunting Dates & Bag Limits (FWC official PDF).
Hunters must have:
-
Florida hunting license
-
Migratory Bird Permit (no cost)
-
Federal Duck Stamp ($28.50) and Florida Waterfowl Permit ($5) when hunting waterfowl.
6. License & Regulation Notes
-
A Florida Resident Hunting License is required for all game and furbearer hunting.
-
Hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, and age 16+, must complete a Hunter Safety Course or qualify for exemption.
-
Some Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) require quota permits or special applications.
-
Legal methods of take differ by species and season (archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, firearm).
-
Bag limits apply to combined harvests across all lands (private and public).
7. Quick Safety & Ethics Reminders
-
Always identify your target and what’s beyond before shooting.
-
Respect private property boundaries and obtain permission when required.
-
Report any wildlife harvest as required by FWC tagging or reporting systems.
-
Use non-lead ammunition where possible to protect wildlife and wetlands.
