General Information

Hunter Safety Requirement

Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license enabling them to hunt without supervision. Children under age 16 may hunt with adult supervision without having to take a hunter safety course. Persons 16 and older who have not completed a hunter safety course can request a deferral from the hunter safety certification requirement when purchasing their hunting license. This enables them to purchase a license and hunt within the supervision of a mentoring adult who is at least 21 years old. Individuals who need proof of course completion can print a duplicate hunter safety certification card through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.

Hunter Safety Course

Everyone Born On Or After June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course before purchasing a Florida hunting license that enables them to hunt without adult supervision. To learn more about these and other available programs, visit the Hunter Safety Programs page on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

Hunter Safety Deferral

Anyone 16 years old or older and born after May 31, 1975, can purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a qualified hunter without having to pass an approved hunter safety course. When purchasing your hunting license, check the box requesting a deferral from the hunter safety certification requirement. Hunters requesting this deferral need to be supervised by an adult, 21 years old or older, who has a valid hunting license and has met the hunter safety requirement.

New and experienced hunters are encouraged to take a hunter safety course to learn more about conservation and safe, responsible hunting. In addition, successfully completing a hunter safety course is required before anyone 16 years old and older is allowed to hunt without being under the supervision of an adult 21 years old or older.

Minors Under 16 — Florida law

Anyone under 16 years of age can hunt with an air gun (air or gas-operated) or firearm only when supervised by a parent or an adult who is acting with consent of the minor’s parent or guardian.

See Section 790.22, Florida Statues for additional info.

Florida Buck Registry

The Florida Buck Registry recognizes hunters for taking quality deer in Florida. A minimum Boone and Crockett net score of 100 inches for typical antlers and 125 for nontypical antlers is required for entry into the registry. For additional details, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s deer hunting information page.

Legal Methods of Taking Game Mammals and Resident Game Birds

Definition of Take

The term shall include taking, attempting to take, pursuing, hunting, molesting, capturing, or killing any wildlife or freshwater fish, or their nests or eggs by any means whether or not such actions result in obtaining possession of such wildlife or freshwater fish or their nests or eggs.

Resident Game Birds and Game Mammals

Rifles, shotguns, pistols, air guns, longbows, compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows and birds of prey (falcons, hawks and great horned owls) may be used. Hand-held releases may be used. Arrows or bolts used to take deer or wild turkeys must be equipped with broadheads having a minimum width of 7/8 inch. Only pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns firing arrows or single bullets can be used in taking deer and turkey. Must be at least .30-caliber for deer and .20-caliber for turkey. PCP air guns are commercially-manufactured air guns that are charged from an external high compression source, such as an air compressor, air tank or external hand pump and are specifically designed to propel a bolt, arrow or other projectile commonly used for hunting.

Hunting Deer with a Muzzleloader

Muzzleloading guns firing single bullets must be at least .30-caliber or larger. Muzzleloading guns firing two or more balls must be 20-gauge or larger. Muzzleloading guns designed to allow accelerant (gun powder) to be loaded at the breech may be used during muzzleloading gun seasons.

Florida Wild Turkey Registry

The Florida Wild Turkey Registry recognizes quality wild turkeys taken in Florida.

• To qualify for an “Outstanding Gobbler Certificate,” the beard must be 11 inches or longer and both spurs must be 1¼ inches or longer.
• A “First Gobbler Certificate” also is awarded to hunters age 15 or younger for harvesting their first gobbler, regardless of beard and spur measurements.

Applications can be accessed by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s turkey hunting page.

Prohibited Methods and Equipment for Taking Game Mammals and Resident Game Birds

• This document does not address or advise on local ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms or the validity of such ordinances.
• Centerfire semi-automatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds
• Nonexpanding full metal case (military ball) ammunition for taking deer
• Firearms using rimfire cartridges for taking deer
• Fully automatic firearms
• Air guns that are not pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns when taking deer or wild turkey
• PCP air guns firing single bullets that are less than .30-caliber when taking deer and less than .20-caliber when taking wild turkey
• Explosive or drug-injecting arrows
• Taking or attempting to take with live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial lights, nets, traps, snares, drugs or poisons
• Shooting from vehicles, powerboats or sailboats moving under power. Motors must be shut off or sails furled, and progress must cease from such motor or sail before taking game.
• Herding or driving game with vehicles, boats or aircraft (including drones)
• Hunting wild turkeys with dogs
• Taking turkeys while they are on the roost
• Taking wild turkeys when the hunter is within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present
• Taking spotted fawn deer or swimming deer
• Using dogs without collars that identify the owners name and address
• Using dogs on private lands without written landowner permission (see Statewide deer-dog registration on page 18)
• Using dogs to take deer or during deer-dog training season on WMAs without a no-cost WMA deer-dog permit
• Using dogs not under physical restraint to pursue deer, fox, coyote and wild hog without a collar allowing remote tracking (GPS or telemetry) AND behavior correction
• Placing, exposing or distributing soporific, anesthetic, tranquilizer, hypnotic or similar drugs or chemicals; preparation by baits; or by other means where game birds or game animals may be affected
• Shooting or attempting to shoot or harass any bird, fish or other animal from aircraft (including drones), except as specifically authorized by a Federal or State issued license or permit

Wildlife Alert Reward Program

Help conserve our fish and wildlife resources and maintain public safety by reporting hunting, fishing and boating violations by:

• Calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)
• You can report suspicious or illegal wildlife activity by submitting a tip through the Wildlife Alert program.

Areas Closed to Hunting

• Taking or attempting to take wildlife is illegal on, upon or from rights-of-way of federal, state or county-maintained roads, whether paved or otherwise, except reptiles and amphibians may be taken without the use of firearms, and raptors may be taken per Rule 68A-9.005, F.A.C. Casting dogs from rights-of-way is considered attempting to take wildlife and constitutes violation of this regulation.
• Discharging firearms over paved public roads, rights-of-way, highways, streets or occupied premises is prohibited.
• Shooting or propelling potentially lethal projectiles over or across private land without authorization to take game is considered criminal trespassing and is a felony.
• Taking deer is prohibited by any method in the Florida Keys.
• Taking deer is illegal in that portion of Collier County lying south of S.R. 84 (I-75), west of S.R. 29, north of U.S. 41 and east of the western boundary of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.
• Hunting is prohibited on most sanctuaries and parks.

Trespassing

The possession of a hunting license does not authorize a person to trespass onto private land. Obtain landowner’s permission before entering private land. Trespassing while possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon is a felony punishable by imprisonment up to five years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Use of Firearms by Felons

It is illegal in Florida for convicted felons to possess firearms, including muzzleloading guns, unless the convicted felon has had his/ her civil rights restored by the state's Clemency Board or the firearm qualifies as an antique firearm under Florida Statute 790.001(1). Properly licensed convicted felons may hunt with bows, crossbows, air guns or antique firearms per Florida Statute 790 during hunting seasons when such devices are legal for taking game. The 2015 Florida Statutes Title XLVI, Section, 790.001(1) states "Antique firearm means any firearm manufactured in or before 1918 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar early type of ignition system) or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1918, and also any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1918, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade." Convicted felons should be aware that being in a location where a firearm is present may constitute constructive possession of that firearm. Constructive possession occurs when the person knows about the firearm and is in a position to exert control over that firearm or where they have concealed the firearm. Possession may also be joint, that is, two or more persons may jointly possess a firearm, exercising control over it, each person is considered to be in possession.

Antlerless Deer Permit Program

Persons who own, lease or otherwise have written permission to take deer on properties of at least 640 contiguous acres, or not less than 150 contiguous acres if adjoining land with a current Antlerless Deer or Private Lands Deer Management permit, may apply for antlerless deer permits and tags to authorize the harvest of a specific number of antlerless deer on the enrolled property during the established deer hunting season. All antlerless deer harvested on the enrolled property must be tagged even if the deer are harvested on days when antlerless deer harvest is allowed in the DMU. A group with adjoining lands may apply together, provided the total combined acreage meets the acreage requirements. For more information about deer hunting regulations, seasons, and resources, please visit the FWC Deer Hunting page.

Wild Hogs

On private property with landowner permission, wild hogs may be hunted year-round day or night without restriction (i.e., by all lawful methods with no bag/possession limits, no size limits and no licenses/permits required). They also may be trapped but cannot be transported alive without a Feral Swine Dealer Permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is available by calling 850-410-0900. Wild hogs can be taken on WMAs only during specified seasons, where permit, method of take and bag limit requirements may apply. For more information on hunting wild hogs on WMAs, consult the specific WMA brochure for the area you want to hunt.

Florida's Public Shooting Ranges

For information and to find a locTo find public shooting ranges and learn more about available facilities, visit the FWC Shooting Ranges page.

Shooting Hours for Resident Game Birds, Crows and Game Mammals

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset except when hunting wild turkeys during spring turkey season. Shooting hours during spring turkey season on private lands and most WMAs are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. On some WMAs, spring turkey shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.

Hunter Orange Requirement

It is unlawful to hunt deer or to accompany another person hunting deer on public lands unless each person is wearing a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material as an outer garment worn above the waistline and can include a head covering. This rule does not apply during an archery-only season, or when hunting on private lands at any time.

Hunting Dogs

Dogs may be used as an aid in taking game mammals and birds, wild hogs and furbearers, unless otherwise prohibited. Persons owning or using dogs shall not knowingly or negligently permit such dogs to trail, pursue or otherwise molest wildlife during closed seasons. The taking of deer by the use or aid of dogs is prohibited during the archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons. Dogs on leashes may be used to trail wounded game mammals during all seasons. Taking wild turkeys by aid of dogs at any time is prohibited. Hunters who use dogs for hunting are required to have their dogs wear collars that identify their owner’s name and address. This regulation also requires dog hunters to possess landowners’ written permission before using their dogs to pursue game, wild hogs or furbearers on private property. On private land, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, skunk, nutria, beaver, coyote, wild hog, fox and bobcat may be chased throughout the year with free running dogs.

Remote tracking and behavior correction devices: All dogs not under physical restraint used for pursuing deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote must be equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction. Removing, tampering, or otherwise interfering with any collar or tag (including remote tracking and behavior correction devices) of a dog used for hunting without the owner’s permission is prohibited.

Deer dogs: Deer dogs can be trained during closed seasons when dogs are constantly attached to leashes or ropes in the hands of their trainers for training purposes. Deer dogs are permitted to run free for training purposes only during deer-dog training seasons (see Deer Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits). Taking deer or any other wildlife with a gun is prohibited while training deer dogs.

Statewide deer-dog registration: Deer hunters using dogs on private properties in Florida must obtain a no-cost registration from the FWC. Registration requirements apply to the deer-dog training season and during any open deer hunting season when it is legal to take deer with dogs. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the final day of general gun season in the hunting zone where the property is situated. To comply with the registration rule, deer-dog hunters on private lands must have registration numbers on their dogs’ collars; possess copies of the registration; and keep their dogs on registered properties. For more details and to submit an application, visit the FWC Deer Management Program page.

WMA deer-dog permit: Individuals hunting deer with dogs on WMAs must now obtain a no-cost permit from FWC. This new requirement applies during any season when it is legal to take deer with dogs on WMAs and during a WMA’s deer-dog training season. For additional information, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's deer hunting page.

Bird dogs: On private lands during closed seasons, bird dogs may be trained with pistols firing blanks or balls or by taking pen-raised quail (with shotguns only), when birds have been banded with owners’ names prior to releasing them.

Fox dogs: Foxes cannot be killed, but may be chased year-round with dogs (see Furbearer regulations).

Feeding Game

It is prohibited to take game on lands or waters where corn, wheat, grain, food, minerals, or other substances meant to be consumed have been placed, other than by normal agricultural harvesting or planting.

• Except non-migratory game may be hunted in proximity of year-round game-feeding stations on private lands, provided the feeding station has been maintained with feed for at least six months prior to taking game.
• However, feeding deer within the CWD Management Zone outside of deer season is prohibited. For a detailed map and more information, visit the CWD Management Zone page on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.
• Wild turkey may not be taken if the hunter is less than 100 yards from a game feeding station when feed is present.
• Placing, offering or allowing the placement of feed or garbage that is likely to create or creates a public nuisance by attracting bears is prohibited after receiving written notification from the FWC. The intentional feeding of bears is prohibited.

Florida's CWD Watch

866-CWD-WATCH (293-9282)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to members of the deer family. CWD was detected in Florida in June 2023. You can help guard against CWD by reporting sick or abnormally thin deer or deer dead of unknown causes to the CWD hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282).

To learn more about chronic wasting disease (CWD), including management strategies and affected areas, visit the CWD information page on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.

Buying or Selling Game

Buying or selling game is prohibited except as provided for on licensed game farms (see Rule 68A-12.011, F.A.C.) and hunting preserves (see Rule 68A-12.010). When lawfully taken, the feathers or skins of resident game birds or the skins of deer, squirrels, or rabbits may be sold.

Deer and Wild Turkey Harvest Reporting Requirements

After harvesting a deer or wild turkey and prior to moving it from the point of harvest, all hunters must log their harvest. All hunters must report their harvest to the FWC’s harvest reporting system within 24 hours of harvest and prior to final processing of the deer or wild turkey, any parts of it being transferred to another person including meat processors and taxidermists, or the deer or wild turkey leaving the state. Hunters can access printable harvest logs and learn more about harvest reporting requirements on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website. Hunters may report their harvest online or by using the Fish|Hunt FL mobile app, available for download on most devices. Hunters can also report harvest by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356) anytime day or night. Reporting is not complete until a confirmation number is given and recorded. To report a deer or wild turkey harvest, hunters must have an FWC Customer ID number, which can be found by logging into or creating an account through the official licensing portal.

Non-native Deer

Free-ranging, unprotected non-native deer of either sex may be harvested during established deer seasons using the allowed methods of take and are not subject to antler regulations, bag or possession limits, and harvest reporting requirements.

Dividing Deer and Wild Turkey in the Field

Deer and wild turkeys may be dismembered in the field or at camp; however, anyone who possesses the whole carcass or any portions thereof must be able to provide the hunter’s full name and either customer ID number or harvest confirmation number. This identifying information must be readily traceable to the portion of the animal bearing evidence of legal harvest — deer skull plate; turkey head and beard (if applicable).

Evidence of Legal Harvest

The skull plate with any attached antler (if applicable) shall remain with all deer taken within the state; and the head and beard (if applicable) shall remain with all wild turkeys harvested during any season when taking unbearded hens is prohibited. The hunter or possessor must retain such evidence of legal harvest and must be able to provide the hunter’s full name and either customer ID number or harvest confirmation number until harvested deer or wild turkey arrives at a meat processor, taxidermist, home of its possessor or until it has been cooked.

Transport of Game

• A person may transport the possession limit of lawfully taken game.
• A person may at any time possess mounted specimens of lawfully taken game, including the heads, antlers, hides/skins, feathers or feet.
• Lawfully taken game may be shipped by the person who took such game provided that each package shall be marked on the outside to show the names and addresses of both the shipper and the addressee, and the numbers and kinds of game contained therein.

Motor Vehicles

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) purchased after July 1, 2002, must be titled with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. ATVs and OHMs must be titled when used for recreational purposes on lands within the state that are available for public use and that are owned, operated or managed by federal, state, county or municipal governmental entities. Applications for title may be made at county tax collectors’ offices.