Florida Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Florida

Florida has a variety of hunting opportunities. Common games include turkeys, deer, hogs, and many others. To assist stabilize its natural resources, Florida also authorizes alligator hunting. The state also has a lot of game birds, small game animals, and predators to hunt.

Regulations for Hunting in Florida

In Florida, hunting is strictly regulated. There are regulations, requirements, and laws that hunters must follow in order to take a game in the state, much like in the rest of the United States.

The following are some of the most important hunting regulations, requirements, and legislation in Florida:

Safety regulations for hunters

If you were born after June 1, 1975, Florida requires you to finish a hunter education course before purchasing any Florida hunting license that allows you to engage in hunting activities without supervision.

Children under the age of 16 do not need to attend a hunter education course and can hunt with the assistance of a licensed hunter.

However, there is an exemption to this rule for those who are 16 or older who wish to obtain a Florida hunting license without first completing a hunter education course. They will need to be excused from the hunting course certificate. They will, however, be able to hunt only under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter, who must be at least 21 years old.

Regulation of Game-Playing

When it comes to hunting in Florida, the term “taking” refers to attempting to take, chasing, harassing, hunting, killing, or capturing games, wildlife, or fish in any way that results in possession of the games, wildlife, or fish.

Game mammal and bird hunting

In Florida, the following hunting guns are permitted for taking game birds and mammals:

Bows with recurves
Longbows
Pistols
Rifles
Shotguns
Bows with Compounds
Air rifles
Pistols
Crossbows.

Prey such as owls, falcons, and hawks can also be used in bird games.

The minimum draw weight for bow weapons is 35 pounds. It is also permissible to employ handheld releases. Furthermore, if you are using arrows and bolts for deer and turkey hunting in Florida, you must equip them with broadheads that have at least two sharp ends and a width of 7 or 8 inches.

It is illegal to use precharged pneumatic air pistols that fire more than one bullet. It is likewise illegal in Florida to use arrows and bolts with less than.30 calibers for deer shooting, but.20 calibers are permitted for turkey hunting.

Precharged pneumatic air guns are ones that are commercially designed and charged with the help of an external compression source to let them discharge bolts, arrows, and other forms of hunting projectiles.

Taking Deer using Muzzle Loaders

Muzzleloaders that only fire one bullet must be at least.30 caliber before they can be used to kill deer. Muzzleloaders that fire at least two bullets must be at least.20 gauge before they can be used to kill deer.

Prohibited Methods of Taking Game and Wildlife in Florida

It is illegal to use a centerfire semi-automatic weapon with an ammunition capacity of more than 5 rounds.
It is illegal in Florida to hunt deer with non-expanding military ball ammo.
It is illegal to hunt any game with automatic weapons.
It is illegal to take deer and turkeys with air guns that are not PCP-powered.
It is illegal to use PCP air pistols that release bullets of less than.30 caliber when hunting deer and less than.20 caliber when hunting turkeys.
It is prohibited to employ explosive arrows or arrows that will inject medicines into games and wildlife.
It is illegal to hunt with artificial lighting, chemicals, traps, snares, nets, drugs, live decoys, pre-recorded animal sounds and cries, poison, and so on.
It is illegal to fire at games from vehicles such as motorboats, powerboats, or sailboats that are powered on. Vehicles that have been totally turned off or sails at anchor are exempt. Before attempting to hunt animals from a car, hunters must check that the vehicle is not moving.
It is illegal to play herding games with vehicles such as aircraft, drones, and boats.
It is illegal to take turkeys with the assistance of hunting dogs.
Taking a roosting turkey is prohibited.
It is a ban to collect turkeys from around 100 yards of its feeding station.
It is illegal to hunt a deer while it is swimming or fawning.
It is illegal to use any hunting bow weapon with a draw weight less than 35 pounds.
The use of hunting dogs without collars is prohibited. Dog collars must have information such as the owner’s name and address.
It is illegal to use hunting dogs on privately held land without first receiving permission from the proprietor.
It is illegal to expose substances such as chemicals, anesthetics, pharmaceuticals, baits, tranquilizers, and so on to game birds and animals.
It is illegal to fire or attempt to fire, harass fish and birds from aircraft, including drones. Exceptions are permitted for people who possess a valid state or federal license.

While Hunting, Trespassing

Even if you have a Florida hunting license, you are not required to trespass on private property in the state. Before hunting on private land, you must first seek permission from the landowner or the management in charge.

Trespassing while in possession of a firearm or any hunting weapon is a felony in Florida. This is punished by either a $5000 fine or a 5-year prison sentence, or both.

Florida Hunting Licenses, Tags, and Permits

In Florida, there are numerous licenses, permits, and tags available for hunting. Florida hunting licenses are issued depending on age and residency, and the prices vary.

The following hunting licenses, permits, and tags are available in Florida:

Hunting License for Florida Residents

These licenses are exclusively available to Floridians. Among them are the following:

Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This hunting license includes a variety of game permits for deer, turkeys, waterfowl, lobsters, and other animals. The license also allows you to fish in both saltwater and freshwater in Florida. In Florida, there are two sorts of gold sportsman licenses: one that is valid for one year and one that is valid for five years. A one-year license costs $100, while a five-year license costs $494.

Youth Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This license provides the same benefits as the standard Gold Sportsman’s License, however it is exclusively available to juvenile residents aged 8 to 15. They must also have taken a hunter safety course. The permission will be valid till they reach the age of 17. It will set you back $100.

Military Gold Sportsman’s Permit

This license provides the same benefits as the standard Gold Sportsman’s License, but it is only accessible to Florida citizens who are retired or active members of the military, or who are members of the US armed forces or the Florida National Guard. The license is priced at $20.

Ordinary Sportsman’s Permit

In Florida, this license includes a turkey and waterfowl permit. Holders can also fish in Florida’s freshwater. It will set you back $80.5.

Silver Sportsman’s License for Senior Citizens

This license includes permits for Turkey and Waterfowl, as well as fishing in Florida’s freshwaters. It is only available to inhabitants of the state who are 64 or older. In Florida, there are two versions of Silver Sportsman’s License. The one for a year costs $13.5, and the one for five years costs $67.5.

Annual Hunting License in Florida

Residents can use this license to participate in various hunting seasons. However, permits may be required to hunt game with the license. There are two types of yearly licenses in Florida. A one-year certificate costs $17, while a five-year certificate costs $79.

Youth Hunting Permit

This hunting license is for children aged 8 to 15 who have completed a hunting safety course. The license will be valid until they reach the age of 17. It is priced at $17.

License for Hunting and Freshwater Fishing

Holders of this license are permitted to hunt and fish in Florida’s freshwaters. It will set you back $32.5.

License for Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing

This license allows individuals to hunt and fish in both marine and freshwater areas of Florida. It is priced at $48.

Hunting and fishing license for people with disabilities

This license allows disabled Florida citizens to hunt and fish in both ocean and freshwater. They will also have access to some game permits, and all of this is free of charge.

Elderly Hunting and Fishing Licenses

This license is exclusively available to inhabitants of the state who are 65 or older, and it is free of charge.

Non-Resident Hunting License in Florida

These are non-resident Florida out-of-state hunting licenses. Among them are the following:

Annual Nonresident Hunting License

Non-residents will be able to participate in various Florida hunting seasons with this license. However, depending on the animal season, they may need to obtain a game permit. It is $151.5.

Nonresidents: A 10-day hunting license is required.

Nonresidents will be able to hunt in Florida for ten days with this license. It will set you back $46.5.

Licenses, permits, and tags for fishing in Florida

Fishing licenses, permits, and tags are issued by the state based on the applicant’s domicile, kind of water body, and age. Among them are the following:

Saltwater Fishing License for Residents

In Florida, this fishing license will cover saltwater fishing from shorelines and watercraft. It does not, however, include fishing while diving or swimming.

It is accessible to Florida citizens in three varieties. The first one, which is only valid for a year, will cost $17. The second one is $79. It is valid for 5 years. The third option, which is available to residents’ youths until they reach the age of 17, costs $17.

Saltwater Licenses for Non-Residents

Nonresidents will be able to fish in Florida saltwater as a result of this. Nonresident saltwater licenses are classified into three classes. The first is valid for three days and costs $17. The second is valid for seven days and costs $30. The third is good for a year and costs $47.

Other saltwater fishing licenses available in Florida include:

Licenses for recreational vessels and
Pier Permits.

Residents and nonresidents can obtain saltwater permits and tags.

The following are some of the Florida fishing permits accessible to both citizens and non-residents in the state:

Snook Permit for the Year

This is the permit required in Florida to catch snook, and it is valid for one year. It costs $10 and is available to both residents and nonresidents.

Snook Permit for 5 Years

This permit is exclusively available to Floridians and is good for 5 years. It will set you back $50.

Annual Spiny Lobster License

This is the permit required in Florida to take Spiny, and it is good for one year. It is $5 and is available to both residents and nonresidents.

Permit for a 5-Year Spiny Lobster

This is another Florida resident-only permit that is valid for 5 years. It will set you back $25.

Tags Taron

Tarpon tags are the only way to catch tarpon in Florida. They cost $51.5 and are available to both locals and nonresidents.

Combination licenses for residents

Residents of Florida can obtain one of two types of fishing combination licenses. The first one, which costs $32.5, allows them to fish in both saltwater and freshwater. The second is a combination of saltwater and freshwater fishing, as well as state hunting. It is priced at $48.

2020–2021 Florida Hunting Season

In Florida, there are distinct hunting seasons for various games and weaponry. In Florida, there are four main hunting zones that cover different parts of the state. It is critical for hunters to consider the hunting season dates in the region of Florida where deer hunting occurs. The following Florida wildlife hunting seasons are scheduled for 2020–21:

Seasons for shooting deer in Florida

Archery Season (August 1st to November 25th)
Crossbow Season (August 1st to December 4th)
Muzzleloader Season (September 5th to December 4th)
Firearms Season (September 19th to February 21st)

Bows can be used to hunt in all deer hunting seasons, regardless of what weapon is permitted. Crossbows are also permitted during Turkey’s hunting season, but muzzleloaders are not permitted during firearm seasons.

Turkey Season in Florida

Fall Archery Season (August 1st to November 25th)
Fall Crossbow Season (August 1st to December 4th)
Fall Muzzleloader Season (September 5th to December 4th)
Fall Firearms Season (October 5th to January 31st)
Spring General Season (March 6th to April 25th)
Spring Youth Hunting Season (February 27th to February 28th in the south zone and March 13th to 14th in the north zone)

Small Game Hunting Season in Florida

Squirrel Hunting Season (October 10th to March 7th)
Season for quail hunting (November 14th to March 7th)
Bobcat Hunting Season (December 1st to March 31st)
Otter hunting season runs from December 1st to March 1st.
Rabbit Season (Allowed during Open Season)
Hunting Season for Wild Hogs (Allowed during Open Season)
Raccoon Season (Allowed during Open Season)
Opossum Season (Allowed during Open Season)
Skunk Season (Allowed during Open Season)
Nutria Season (Allowed during Open Season)
Beaver Hunting Season (Permitted during Open Season)
Coyote Season (Allowed during Open Season)

Season dates may differ depending on which of Florida’s four hunting zones you are in.

Wildlife, Games, and Fishing in Florida

The following are some of the games and fauna available for hunting in Florida:

Florida deer hunting

Deer hunting is popular in Florida due to the amount of public land, and the state is home to a high number of deer. Bow-hunting whitetail deer is available in south Florida. JW Corbett WMA and Big Cypress WMA are two of the top wildlife management areas in Florida for deer hunting.

Florida Turkey Hunting

The northern part of the Florida peninsula is home to wild turkeys. They have also been observed interbreeding with the Easter turkey species. They are usually found in forested portions of the state and woodlands, particularly on forest edges and in open areas.

Hunting for Hogs in Florida

Hogs are widely distributed in Florida and can be found in every county. Although they live in a variety of settings, they like freshwater marshes, pines, oak cabbage areas, and other agricultural sections of the state. Hog hunting is popular in Florida due to its abundance.

Alligator hunting in Florida

Alligator hunting in Florida takes place in areas where they live, such as lakes, swamps, and marshes. Alligators are found in every one of Florida’s 67 counties.

Fox hunting in Florida

The gray fox is the most common species of fox in Florida, and it may be found in practically every section of the state. They do, however, occur in significant numbers in northern Florida and like to live in wooded settings. Fox hunting in Florida is challenging because it is one of the most daring games to participate in because of their vigilance.

Duck hunting in Florida

The state’s marsh regions are ideal for duck hunting in Florida. Ducks prefer to reside in areas far from human settlements. They can also be found in wildlife refuges. They prefer to hang out in shallow bodies of water, like ponds and lakes.

Quail hunting in Florida

The northern bobwhite quail is the most common species of quail in Florida. This game is mostly found on the ground. Quails in Florida live in habitats such as upland pines, scrubs, and flatwoods.

Dove hunting in Florida

The mourning dove is one of Florida’s most frequent birds. They can be found on trees, where they will make their nests, as well as in woodland and grassland areas. Dove hunting is becoming more popular as a recreational pastime in Florida.

Coyote hunting in Florida

Coyotes were originally more prevalent in the northwest parts of Florida, but they are now widely distributed throughout the state. Coyotes, like other predators, are versatile, making coyote hunting in Florida tough. They can live in a variety of woodland and rural habitats. Coyotes may reside in both urban and suburban areas of Florida.

Bobcat hunting in Florida

Bobcats are found across Florida, particularly in wetlands and dense woodland environments. They also enjoy dense shrub habitats, which they employ for resting. Bobcats tend to mark their territory when they live in rural areas.

Wildlife Management Areas in Florida

Florida’s eight wildlife management regions for hunting include the following:

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Crystal River, FL 34429; 352-563-2088
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, 12085 State Road 29 South, Immokalee, FL 34142; 239-657-8001
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33437; 561-732-3684. Only waterfowl.
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, 16450 NW 31st Place, Chiefland, FL 32626; 352-493-0238
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, 2045 Mud Lake Road, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130; 386-985-4673
Waterfowl only at Merritt Island NWR, 1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, FL 32815; 321-861-0667.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, 1255 Lighthouse Road, St. Marks, FL 32355; 850-925-6121
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, 3100 County Road 30A, Apalachicola, FL 32329; 850-653-8808.

Hunting Land in Florida for Sale and Lease

Florida hunting lands for sale include the following:

0.5 acres in Palm City, Florida (Martin County)
406.53 acres in Monticello, Florida (Jefferson County).
890 acres in Indiantown, Florida (Palm Beach County).
35.6 acres in Monticello, Florida (Jefferson County).
81.6 acres in Callahan, Florida (Nassau County).

Florida hunting lands for lease include the following:

Memberships in a 5000-acre buck and boar hunting club (Madison County)
Still hunting on 3700 acres in North Florida (Union County).
Pigeon Creek Hunting Club lease, 2000 acres (Bay County).
500-acre Cypress Ridge Hunting Preserve in Lake County.