Florida 2025-2026 Hunting Season Planner – Wildlife Zones & Application Tips
Planning your next outdoor adventure in the Sunshine State? You’ve come to the right place! Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Florida’s 2025-2026 game calendar, including precise dates for all major species, zone maps, bag limits, and licensing requirements. Whether you’re tracking whitetail in the northern zones or pursuing waterfowl in the Everglades, we’ve got you complete breakdown for a successful experience.
Quick Reference: Key Species & Dates 📅
| Species | Opening Date | Closing Date | Method | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Zone A) | Aug. 2 (Archery) | Jan. 4 (General Gun) | Various | 2 deer |
| Turkey (Fall) | Oct. 6 – Dec. 28 | Varies by zone | Shotgun/Bow | 2 birds |
| Dove | Sept. 27 | Jan. 31 (3 splits) | Shotgun | 15 birds |
| Quail | Nov. 8 | March 1 | Shotgun/Bow | 12 birds |
| Duck | Nov. 22 | Jan. 25 (split) | Shotgun | 6 birds |
| Squirrel | Year-round | Year-round | Various | 12 |
All Big Game: Archery & Rifle 🦌
Whitetail Deer by Zone
Zone A (Northern Counties)
- 🏹 Archery: Aug. 2-31
- 🎯 Crossbow: Aug. 2 – Sept. 5
- 🔫 Muzzleloader: Sept. 6-19
- 👨👩👧👦 Youth Weekend: Sept. 13-14
- 🔫 General Gun: Sept. 20 – Oct. 19, Nov. 22 – Jan. 4
Zone B (Central Region)
- 🏹 Archery: Oct. 18 – Nov. 16
- 🎯 Crossbow: Oct. 18 – Nov. 21
- 🔫 Muzzleloader: Nov. 22 – Dec. 5
- 👨👩👧👦 Youth Weekend: Nov. 29-30
- 🔫 General Gun: Dec. 6 – Feb. 22
Zone C (West-Central)
- 🏹 Archery: Sept. 13 – Oct. 12
- 🎯 Crossbow: Sept. 13 – Oct. 17
- 🔫 Muzzleloader: Oct. 18-31
- 👨👩👧👦 Youth Weekend: Oct. 25-26
- 🔫 General Gun: Nov. 1 – Jan. 18
Zone D (Southern Peninsula)
- 🏹 Archery: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26
- 🎯 Crossbow: Oct. 25 – Nov. 26, Dec. 1-5
- 🔫 Muzzleloader: Dec. 6-12
- 👨👩👧👦 Youth Weekend: Dec. 6-7
- 🔫 General Gun: Nov. 27-30, Dec. 13 – Feb. 22, Feb. 23 – March 1
🎟️ Bag Limits: Daily limit of 2 deer, annual limit of 5 (only 2 can be antlerless, except DMU D2 allows 3 antlerless)
Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth 🦃
Fall Turkey Opportunities
- 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
Spring Gobble Action
- South of State Road 70: March 7 – April 12
- North of State Road 70: March 21 – April 26
- Youth Opportunities: Feb. 27 – March 2 (south), March 13-16 (north)
Daily bag: 2 gobblers/bearded birds | Possession: 2 per each spring/fall cycle
Furbearers 🦫
Year-round opportunities exist for several species:
- Raccoon, Opossum, Coyote: No closed period, unlimited bag
- Bobcat: Dec. 1 – March 31, no limit
- Otter: Dec. 1 – March 1, no limit
- Beaver, Skunk, Nutria: Year-round, no restrictions
Trapping regulations may differ – consult current furbearer guidelines
Upland Birds 🐦
Bobwhite Quail
- Dates: Nov. 8 – March 1
- Daily bag: 12 birds
- Possession: 24 birds
- Methods: Shotgun, rifle, pistol, muzzleloader, archery equipment
Perfect for dog work and wing-shooting enthusiasts! Florida’s quail populations provide excellent opportunities across agricultural and pine plantation areas.
Upland Animals 🐿️
Gray Squirrel & Rabbit
- Period: Year-round opportunity
- Daily limits: 12 squirrels, 12 rabbits
- Possession: 24 each species
- Legal methods: All firearms, archery, air guns
These abundant small game species offer perfect training grounds for new participants and provide consistent action throughout the year.
Other Small Game 🎯
| Species | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Hog | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Raccoon | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Opossum | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Skunk | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Nutria | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Beaver | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Coyote | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Migratory Birds 🕊️
Dove (Mourning & White-winged)
- Split 1: Sept. 27 – Oct. 19
- Split 2: Nov. 8-30
- Split 3: Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
- Daily bag: 15 birds | Possession: 45
Other Migratory Species
- Snipe: Nov. 1 – Feb. 15 (Daily: 8, Possession: 24)
- Woodcock: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 (Daily: 3, Possession: 9)
- Rail (King/Clapper): Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 (Daily: 15, Possession: 45)
- Rail (Sora/Virginia): Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 (Daily: 25, Possession: 75)
- Common Gallinule: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 (Daily: 15, Possession: 45)
- Crow: Aug. 9 – Oct. 26 (weekends only), Nov. 11 – Feb. 18 (No limit)
Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers & Geese 🦆
Regular Waterfowl Framework
- Early Teal/Wood Duck: Sept. 20-24
- Regular Period: Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25
- Youth/Veteran Days: Nov. 15, Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, Feb. 7
Daily Bag Breakdown
- Ducks: 6 total (species-specific sub-limits apply)
- Mallards: 4 (max 2 hens)
- Wood Duck/Pintail: 3 each
- Redhead/Black Duck/Canvasback: 2 each
- Mottled Duck: 1
- Scaup: 1 (Nov. 22 – Jan. 5), 2 (Jan. 6-25)
- Canada Goose: Daily 5, Possession 15
- Light Geese: Daily 15, unlimited possession
- Merganser: Daily 5, Possession 15
- Coot: Daily 15, Possession 45
Other Waterfowls 🦢
Special regulations apply to certain waterfowl species that require federal stamps and state permits. Always verify current migratory bird stamp requirements before pursuing any waterfowl species.
More Games & Opportunities 🎣
Additional Considerations
- Wildlife Management Areas may have different dates and bag limits
- Private Land Programs offer extended antlerless deer opportunities
- Youth Programs provide special weekend opportunities across multiple species
- Harvest Reporting is mandatory for all deer and turkey taken
🗺️ Florida Hunting Zone Map
Florida’s wildlife management system divides the state into four hunting zones (A, B, C, and D), each with further divisions into Deer Management Units (DMUs). These boundaries are carefully designed to align with ecological regions and wildlife population distributions.
For the most current and detailed zone maps, visit the official Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
🎟️ License Information
Resident Hunting Licenses
- Annual hunting license: $17
- 5-year hunting license: $79
- Gold sportsman’s license (includes hunting, freshwater fishing, and state lands): $100
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses
- Annual hunting license: $151.50
- 10-day hunting license: $46.50
Additional Permits Required
- Deer permit: $5 (residents), $50 (non-residents)
- Turkey permit: $10 (residents), $125 (non-residents)
- Management area permit (for WMAs): $26.50
Youth under 16 years of age are exempt from license requirements, though certain permits may still be needed.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special tags for deer and turkey in Florida?
Yes, deer and turkey hunters must purchase species-specific permits in addition to their hunting license.
Can I hunt at night in Florida?
Night hunting is prohibited for most game species, though certain nuisance animals like raccoons, opossums, and wild hogs may be taken at night on private lands with landowner permission.
What public lands are available for hunting?
Florida offers numerous Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), National Forests, and other public lands for hunting. Each area may have specific regulations and often requires a management area permit.
When can I train my hunting dogs?
Florida allows deer dog training at specific times before the hunting season:
- Zone A: August 17 – September 5
- Zone B: November 2-21
- Zone C: September 28 – October 17
- Zone D: October 26 – November 14
Related Resources
Looking for more information? Check out these helpful resources:
- Georgia Hunting Seasons
- Alabama Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts for Florida Hunters
As you prepare for your Florida outdoor adventure, always remember to verify current regulations before heading afield. Wildlife populations fluctuate, and management practices adapt accordingly. The information in this guide serves as a general overview, but specific details may change from year to year.
Florida’s diverse ecosystems offer remarkable opportunities for sportsmen and women to connect with nature while participating in conservation through regulated harvesting. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or new to the field sports, the Sunshine State provides memorable experiences in its forests, swamps, and prairies.
Before your hunt, double-check zone boundaries, secure appropriate licenses and permits, and practice ethical sportsmanship to ensure wildlife resources remain abundant for future generations.
