me, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 FL hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at first light in the Panhandle, slipping decoys for teal in Everglades marshes, or pursuing feral hogs year‑round on ranchland, Florida’s pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and coastal wetlands offer premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Florida? Florida supports a variety of game: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (quota hunts), feral hogs (no closed season) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail (WMAs), woodcock Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, mottled), geese (light & dark), coots, rails, snipe, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, bobcat, raccoon From the panhandle’s uplands to South Florida’s Everglades, hunters pursue healthy state animal populations year‑round. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Florida? On private lands with landowner permission—and a valid license—you may harvest unprotected or nuisance species such as feral hogs, coyote, raccoon, and nutria with no closed season and no bag limits, aiding invasive species control. Public WMAs enforce posted season dates and method restrictions—always verify before you hunt. Florida Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sept 19 – Oct 27, 2025 (youth weekend) & Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026 General Gun: Nov 8 – Nov 30, 2025 (zones vary) Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 7, 2025 (WMAs) Youth Deer Hunt: Nov 1–2 & Dec 6–7, 2025 Bag limit: one antlered buck per season; antlerless-only hunts by special permit. Deer seasons vary by county. Wild Turkey Spring Youth Hunt: Mar 14–15, 2026 Spring General: Mar 16 – Apr 30, 2026 Fall Archery: Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 (WMAs) Turkey licenses cover shotgun and bow; harvest reporting supports healthy populations. Black Bear Quota Hunts Only: Sept 15 – Oct 15, 2025 (regions A–E) Bear tags allocate by draw; harvested bears must be tagged and reported within 48 hrs. Florida Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Small Game & Upland Birds Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026 (8 rabbit; 8 squirrel/day) Bobwhite Quail: Nov 22 – Mar 31, 2026 (WMAs only; 10/day) Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 14, 2025 (2/day) Mourning Dove: NFL & SFZ: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025; Uplands: Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026 (15/day) Non‑toxic shot required for upland birds; dogs allowed per WMA regulations. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Early Teal: Sept 5 – Sept 27, 2025 Ducks & Geese: Nov 8 – Jan 24, 2026 (zones split) Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 25, 2025 Rails & Snipe: Oct 6 – Nov 19, 2025 (25 rails; 8 snipe/day) Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp, HIP, and state waterfowl permit required Florida’s marsh impoundments host peak migrations—daily duck bag limit is six, with sub‑limits on mottled and scaup. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 buck per season; antlerless by permit Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery Black Bear: 1 per permit Ducks: 6/day; 2 mottled, 2 scaup, 2 hen mallards sub‑limits Geese: 3 dark geese/day; 15 light geese/day Rails & Snipe: 25 & 8/day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8/day each Coyote & Feral Hogs: No limits on private lands Bag limits support sustainable harvests of big game, small game, and waterfowl. License & Tags Information for Florida Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid FWC hunting license and required permits: Resident Hunting License: $17; Nonresident: $47 Deer & Turkey Permits: $25 each (deer); $15 (turkey) Waterfowl Permit & HIP: $8; Federal Duck Stamp required Bear Permit: $24 (draw only) Wild Hog Hunt Permit: Included with hunting license Licenses fund habitat conservation, wildlife management, and enforcement; special‑use permits apply for WMAs. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader FWC authorizes: Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles (deer), shotguns (slugs & buckshot) for small game and waterfowl Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms (WMA hunts) Dogs & Bait: Permitted for raccoon and hog hunting on private lands; retrievers for waterfowl Ensure compliance with caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic shot requirements. Regulations & Resources FWC regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (youth and special hunts vary) Zone Maps & Boundaries: WMAs, county zones, and refuge areas online Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, turkey, bear via Harvest Information Program Special Areas: Ban on lead shot in wetlands, sanctuary areas, and CWD monitoring Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/FL/25FLHD_LR2.pdf With clearly defined seasons, manageable bag limits, and accessible license structures, Florida offers outstanding hunts for whitetail deer, turkey, ducks, and feral hogs. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure proper permits, and explore the Sunshine State’s diverse wildlife on your 2025–26 hunt.