Florida Turkey & Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations, 2022 – 2023

*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)

Archery Deer Season Zone AJul. 30 – Aug. 28
Archery Deer Season Zone BOct. 15 – Nov. 13
Archery Deer Season Zone CSep. 17 – Oct. 16
Archery Deer Season Zone DOct. 22 – Nov. 23
Crossbow Deer Season Zone AJul. 30 – Sep. 2
Crossbow Deer Season Zone BOct. 15 – Nov. 18
Crossbow Deer Season Zone CSep. 17 – Oct. 21
Crossbow Deer Season Zone DOct. 22 – Nov. 23, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2
Muzzleloading Deer Season Zone ASep. 3 – Sep. 16
Muzzleloading Deer Season Zone BNov. 19 – Dec. 2
Muzzleloading Deer Season Zone COct. 22 – Nov. 4
Muzzleloading Deer Season Zone DDec. 3 – Dec. 9, Feb. 20 – Feb. 26
Youth Deer Hunt Zone ASep. 10 – Sep. 11
Youth Deer Hunt Zone BNov. 26 – Nov. 27
Youth Deer Hunt Zone COct. 29 – Oct. 30
Youth Deer Hunt Zone DDec. 3 – Dec. 4
General Gun Deer Hunt Season Zone ASep. 17 – Oct. 16, Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
General Gun Deer Hunt Season Zone BDec. 3 – Feb. 19
General Gun Deer Hunt Season Zone CNov. 5 – Jan. 22
General Gun Deer Hunt Season Zone DNov. 24 – Nov. 27, Dec. 10 – Feb. 19

*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

Archery Season Zone AJul. 30 – Aug. 28
Archery Season Zone BOct. 15 – Nov. 13
Archery Season Zone CSep. 17 – Oct. 16
Archery Season Zone DOct. 22 – Nov. 23
Crossbow Season Zone AJul. 30 – Sep. 2
Crossbow Season Zone BOct. 15 – Nov. 18
Crossbow Season Zone CSep. 17 – Oct. 21
Crossbow Season Zone DOct. 22 – Nov. 23, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2
Muzzleloading Gun Season Zone ASep. 3 – Sep. 16
Muzzleloading Gun Season Zone BNov. 19 – Dec. 2
Muzzleloading Gun Season Zone COct. 22 – Nov. 4
Muzzleloading Gun Season Zone DDec. 3 – Dec. 9
General Fall Season Zone AOct. 3 – Oct. 16, Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
General Fall Season Zone BDec. 3 – Jan. 29
General Fall Season Zone CNov. 5 – Jan. 1
General Fall Season Zone DNov. 24 – Nov. 27, Dec. 10 – Jan. 15
General Spring Season North of State Road 70Mar. 18 – Apr. 23
General Spring Season South of State Road 70Mar. 4 – Apr. 9

*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

Gray SquirrelOct. 8 – Mar. 5
QuailNov. 12 – Mar. 5

*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

BobcatDec. 1 – Mar. 31
OtterDec. 1 – Mar. 31
RabbitOpen Season Year Round
Wild HogOpen Season Year Round
RaccoonOpen Season Year Round
OpossumOpen Season Year Round
SkunkOpen Season Year Round
NutriaOpen Season Year Round
BeaverOpen Season Year Round
CoyoteOpen 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.

About Al Parsons

Al Parsons is originally from Alabama, but has had the pleasure of hunting all over the United States. Al is an expert on crossbow hunting, as well as traditional rifle hunting. His favorite time of year is the start of Archery Deer season in Alabama, so usually in October.