Florida Turkey & Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations, 2023 – 2024
*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.
Florida Deer Season (Antlered)
| Season | Zone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer Season | Zone A | Jul. 29 – Aug. 27, 2023 |
| Archery Deer Season | Zone B | Oct. 14 – Nov. 12, 2023 |
| Archery Deer Season | Zone C | Sep. 16 – Oct. 15, 2023 |
| Archery Deer Season | Zone D | Oct. 21 – Nov. 22, 2023 |
| Crossbow Deer Season | Zone A | Jul. 29 – Sep. 1, 2023 |
| Crossbow Deer Season | Zone B | Oct. 14 – Nov. 17, 2023 |
| Crossbow Deer Season | Zone C | Sep. 16 – Oct. 20, 2023 |
| Crossbow Deer Season | Zone D | Oct. 21 – Nov. 22, 2023, Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading Deer Season | Zone A | Sep. 2 – Sep. 15, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading Deer Season | Zone B | Nov. 18 – Dec. 1, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading Deer Season | Zone C | Oct. 21 – Nov. 3, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading Deer Season | Zone D | Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2023, Feb. 19 – Feb. 25, 2024 |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Zone A | Sep. 9 – Sep. 10, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Zone B | Nov. 25 – Nov. 26, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Zone C | Oct. 28 – Oct. 29, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Zone D | Dec. 2 – Dec. 3, 2023 |
| General Gun Deer Hunt Season | Zone A | Sep. 16 – Oct. 15, 2023, Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024 |
| General Gun Deer Hunt Season | Zone B | Dec. 2, 2023 – Feb. 18, 2024 |
| General Gun Deer Hunt Season | Zone C | Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 20, 2024 |
| General Gun Deer Hunt Season | Zone D | Nov. 23 – Nov. 26, 2023, Dec. 9, 2023 – Feb. 18, 2024 |
*Florida is a large state with 4 different zones for hunting. There are additional species-specific regulations, season periods, and nuances that need to be paid attention to when planning a hunt. For specific information, please visit the deer section on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Deer season is fairly complex. However, the state is home to one of the largest Wildlife Management Systems in the states at nearly 6 million acres. Florida is divided into four zones. Dates and legal weapons vary greatly per zone so it is important to make sure you are following guidelines based on where you plan to hunt. Florida allows for bows to be used in all seasons and crossbows to be used during the Muzzleloader and Firearm hunting seasons. The annual state-wide bag limit is 5 deer per hunter. Only two of those can be antlerless.
Doe Tags
All antlerless deer must be tagged with an antlerless deer tag upon retrieval. An antlerless deer taken on public land using a public land permit allows for one antlerless deer and DOES count toward your annual bag limit of five deer, two of which can be antlerless.
Florida Turkey Season
| Season | Zone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery season | Zone A | Jul. 30 – Aug. 28, 2023 |
| Crossbow season | Zone A | Jul. 30 – Sep. 2, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading gun season | Zone A | Sep. 3 – Sep. 16, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone A | Oct. 3 – Oct. 1, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone A | Nov. 19 – Jan. 1, 2024 |
| Archery season | Zone B | Oct. 15 – Nov. 13, 2023 |
| Crossbow season | Zone B | Oct. 15 – Nov. 18, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading gun season | Zone B | Nov. 19 – Dec. 2, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone B | Dec. 3 – Jan. 29, 2024 |
| Archery season | Zone C | Sep. 17 – Oct. 16, 2023 |
| Crossbow season | Zone C | Sep. 17 – Oct. 21, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading gun season | Zone C | Oct. 22 – Nov. 4, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone C | Nov. 5 – Jan. 1, 2024 |
| Archery season | Zone D | Oct. 22 – Nov. 23, 2023 |
| Crossbow season | Zone D | Oct. 22 – Nov. 23, 2023, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 2023 |
| Muzzleloading gun season | Zone D | Dec. 3 – Dec. 9, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone D | Nov. 24 – Nov. 27, 2023 |
| Fall Turkey season | Zone D | Dec. 10 – Jan. 15, 2024 |
*Florida is a large state with 4 different zones for hunting. There are additional species-specific regulations, season periods, and nuances that need to be paid attention to when planning a hunt. For specific information, please visit the turkey section on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Turkey hunting is very popular in Florida. Just about every weapon type can be used for harvesting the birds, but like deer hunting, require that specific season timelines be adhered to. Depending on the weapon, turkey season typically begins in July and will run through the middle of April. The average bag limit per season is 2 birds. Gobblers and bearded turkeys are the only birds allowed to be taken, regardless of season or zone.
Florida Gray Squirrel and Quail Seasons
| Season | Date |
|---|---|
| Gray Squirrel (Statewide) | Oct. 14, 2023 – Mar. 3, 2024 |
| Quail Season (Statewide) | Nov 11, 2023 – Mar. 3, 2024 |
*Florida is a large state with 4 different zones for hunting. There are additional species specific regulations, season periods, and nuances that need to be paid attention to when planning a hunt. For specific information, please visit the grey squirrel and quail section on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
You can use essentially any weapon when hunting squirrel and quail in Florida. Both animals have a bag limit of 12 and a possession limit of 24.
Florida Small Game Seasons
| Bobcat | Dec. 1 – Mar. 31, 2024 |
| Otter | Dec. 1 – Mar. 1, 2024 |
| Rabbit | Open Season Year Round |
| Wild Hog | Open Season Year Round |
| Raccoon | Open Season Year Round |
| Opossum | Open Season Year Round |
| Skunk | Open Season Year Round |
| Nutria | Open Season Year Round |
| Beaver | Open Season Year Round |
| Coyote | Open Season Year Round |
*Florida is a large state with 4 different zones for hunting. There are additional species specific regulations, season periods, and nuances that need to be paid attention to when planning a hunt. For specific information, please visit the small game section on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Florida offers a wide variety of small-game hunting. If you are new to hunting, there is no better way to develop your skills than through the diversity of small-game. All hunting weapons are allowed for hunting pretty much all of the small game available in Florida. Bobcats and otters do not have any bag limits at all. All of the other animals have no limits either, except for rabbits which have a bag limit of 12 and a possession limit of 24.
Florida Bear Season
Regulated bear hunting in Florida began in 1930’s and ran until 1993. It was re-opened in 2015 but has since been closed down once again.
Crossbow Regulations
In Florida, crossbows are allowed for just about all hunts. There are still some requirements surrounding their use however, which are listed below.
- Crossbows are legal to be used during all/any deer seasons.
- Broadheads must be a minimum of 7/8” and have at least two sharp edges.
- Scopes are legal.
- With land owner’s permissions, wild hog may be hunted year-round on private property using a crossbow.
- Crossbows must have been produced after 1980 and be equipped with a mechanical safety.
Hunting Licenses in Florida
To hunt during the general season hunters must obtain a Florida hunting license and a game-specific permit. There are several various annual licenses to choose from based on your needs beginning at just $17.00 and extending to $100.00. You can also purchase 5-year coverage.
Those with disabilities may hunt at any time without licensing.
If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Georgia.
Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Delaware.
