Florida Hunting Season Information 2024-2025

2024-2025 Florida Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits

Species/Season Season Dates Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
Crow* Aug. 10 - Oct. 27 (Sat. & Sun. only)
Nov. 11 - Feb. 18		 No Limit No Limit
Rail (King and clapper) Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 15 45
Rail (Sora and Virginia) Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 25 75
Common gallinule (Moorhen) Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 15 45
Canada goose (W) Sept. 7-29
Nov. 23 - Dec. 1, Dec. 1 - Jan. 30		 5 15
Duck (W) Sept. 21-25 (teal and wood duck only)
Sept. 26-29 (teal only)
Nov. 23 - Dec. 1
Dec. 7 - Jan. 26		 - 3 times the daily bag limit
Dove (Mourning and white-winged) Sept. 28 - Oct. 20
Nov. 9 - Dec. 1
Dec. 19 - Jan. 31		 15 45
Snipe Nov. 1 - Feb. 15 8 24
Coot Nov. 23 - Dec. 1
Dec. 7 - Jan. 26		 15 45
Light Geese (Snow, blue and Ross') (W) Nov. 23 - Dec. 1
Dec. 7 - Jan. 26		 15 No Limit
Merganser (Common, red-breasted, hooded) (W) Nov. 23 - Dec. 1
Dec. 7 - Jan. 26		 5 15
Woodcock Dec. 18 - Jan. 31 3 9
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Nov. 16 and Feb. 8 - -
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days Feb. 1-2 - -

Mottled Ducks and Mallards Identification and Bag Limit Policy

Resources for identifying duck species to assist with bag limit enforcement

FWC Policy: Mallard/mottled duck hybrids do not have a separate bag limit but shall be considered either a mallard or mottled duck based on the characteristics provided below. When identification is questionable, the hunter should have the benefit of the doubt. However, mottled ducks and mallards have restricted daily bag limits.

Regardless of sex, when assigning a bird to a mallard or mottled duck bag limit, there are three areas to inspect:
 Mottled Duck White wing bars above and/or below colored feathers of speculum are absent, non-continuous or indistinct and narrow
Mallard Obvious white wing bars above AND below the colored feathers of the speculum
Mottled Duck No green on the head
Mallard Obvious green feathers on the head
Mottled Duck No turned up/curled central tail feather
Mallard At least one turned up/curled central tail feather

Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days

Only veterans or members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves are allowed to hunt ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots and common gallinules (moorhens). Bag and possession limits for each species are listed in the above table. 

Special regulations for Leon County and Lake Miccosukee

Boat motor restrictions Duck blinds Daily bag limit Possession limit Personal abode
During Regular Duck Season (Nov. 23 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 – Jan. 26), the use of internal combustion engines is prohibited on Lake Iamonia (except as authorized by permit from the Executive Director) and Carr Lake. The use of internal combustion engines of more than 10 horsepower on Lake Miccosukee is also prohibited during these dates. However, internal combustion motors and airboats may be used on these lakes during the September duck season and during the Youth and Veterans/Military waterfowl hunt days. It is illegal to hunt from or within 30 yards of a permanent duck blind on Lake Miccosukee, and lakes Iamonia, Jackson and Carr. The use of temporary duck blinds, including those made with vegetation, that are removed at the end of each hunt is allowed. The maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination (aggregate) of species permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season in any one specified geographic area for which a daily bag limit is prescribed. The maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or a combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person when lawfully taken in the United States in any one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed. One’s principal or ordinary home or dwelling place, as distinguished from one’s temporary or transient place of abode or dwelling such as a hunting club, or any club house, cabin, tent or trailer house used as a hunting club, or any hotel, motel or rooming house used during a hunting, pleasure or business trip.
Wanton waste of migratory game birds Transportation of birds of another Custody of birds of another Tagging requirement
No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird, and retain it in his or her actual custody, at the place where taken or between that place and either (a) an automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) a personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility. No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged. No person shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged. No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at a personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, shipping, transportation, or storage (including temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds have a tag attached, signed by the hunter, stating his or her address, the total number and species of birds, and the date such birds were harvested. Migratory game birds being transported in any vehicle as the personal baggage of the possessor shall not be considered as being in storage or temporary storage.