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Florida Hunting Seasons 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Florida hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Florida Hunting Seasons

Florida Hunting

Florida focuses a lot on trying to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long term well being and the benefit of the people.There are more than 5.9 million acres of public hunting lands which is why Florida is so much fun to hunt. It's important to the state to encourage all those living there to enjoy nature and get involved with hunting. Not only does this help with principles of wildlife conservation it also helps stakeholders to consider ways to effectively manage Florida game wildlife species.

So remember archery season starts July 31 and ends with general gun season on February 20 (depending on the zone).

Florida Deer Season 2023

Florida Deer Archery Seasons 2023

SeasonDatesZoneLimits
ArcheryJuly 31 – Aug. 29AAntlered deer*
Oct. 16 – Nov. 14BAntlered deer*
Sept. 18 – Oct. 17CAntlered deer*
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24DAntlered deer*
July 31 – Aug. 8AAntlerless deer*
July 31 – Aug. 15AAntlerless deer*
Oct. 16 – Nov. 14BAntlerless deer*
Sept. 18 – Oct. 17CAntlerless deer*
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24DAntlerless deer*
CrossbowJuly 31 – Sept. 3AAntlered deer*
Oct. 16 – Nov. 19BAntlered deer*
Sept. 18 – Oct. 22CAntlered deer*
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
Nov. 29 – Dec. 3
DAntlered deer*
July 31 – Aug. 8
July 31 – Aug. 15
AAntlerless deer*
Oct. 16 – Nov. 14BAntlerless deer*
Sept. 18 – Oct. 17CAntlerless deer*
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24DAntlerless deer*

Daily bag limit: 2 deer

  • During those portions of archery and crossbow seasons when antlerless deer can be taken, either deer may be antlered or antlerless.
  • During those portions of muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons when antlerless deer may be taken, only 1 deer may be antlerless.
  • During all other seasons, only antlered deer may be taken. Antlerless deer can only be taken by antlerless deer permit/tag.

Possession limit: 4 deer

Annual bag limit: 5 deer of which only 2 can be antlerless

Deer taken under the Deer Depredation Permit Program, Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program and Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), and on licensed game farms and hunting preserves are excluded from bag (daily and annual) and possession limits.

Florida Deer Firearm Dates 2023

SeasonDatesZoneNotes
General GunSept. 18 – Oct. 17
Nov. 20 – Jan. 2
AAntlered deer*
Dec. 4 – Feb. 20BAntlered deer*
Nov. 6 – Jan. 23CAntlered deer*
Nov. 25–28
Dec. 11 – Feb. 20
DAntlered deer*
DMU A2: Nov. 20–21
DMU A3: Nov. 20–23
AAntlerless deer*
Dec. 31 – Jan. 2BAntlerless deer*
DMU C1: Nov. 19–22
DMU C2: Nov. 19–21
DMU C3: Nov. 19–21
DMU C4: Nov. 19–22
DMU C5: Nov. 6–7, Nov. 20–21
DMU C6: Nov. 19–22
CAntlerless deer*
DMU D1: Nov. 27–28
Jan. 1–2
DMU D2: Nov. 27–28
Dec. 18–19, Jan. 1–2
DAntlerless deer*

Daily bag limit: 2 deer

  • During those portions of archery and crossbow seasons when antlerless deer can be taken, either deer may be antlered or antlerless.
  • During those portions of muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons when antlerless deer may be taken, only 1 deer may be antlerless.
  • During all other seasons, only antlered deer may be taken. Antlerless deer can only be taken by antlerless deer permit/tag.

Possession limit: 4 deer

Annual bag limit: 5 deer of which only 2 can be antlerless

Deer taken under the Deer Depredation Permit Program, Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program and Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), and on licensed game farms and hunting preserves are excluded from bag (daily and annual) and possession limits.

Florida Turkey Season 2023

SeasonDatesZone
ArcheryJuly 31 – Aug. 29A
Oct. 16 – Nov. 14B
Sept. 18 – Oct. 17C
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24D*
CrossbowJuly 31 – Sept. 3A
Oct. 16 – Nov. 19B
Sept. 18 – Oct. 22C
Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
Nov. 29 – Dec. 3
D*
MuzzleloadingSept. 4–17A
Nov. 20 – Dec. 3B
Oct. 23 – Nov. 5C
Dec. 4–10D*
Fall turkey season**Oct. 4–17
Nov. 20 – Jan. 2
A
Dec. 4 – Jan. 30 B
Nov. 6 - Jan. 2C
Nov. 25–28
Dec. 11 – Jan. 16 
D*

*Zone D (except in Holmes County, no fall harvest allowed)

Daily bag limit: 2 turkeys

Season and possession limit: 2 for all fall seasons combined

**Fall and spring turkey seasons – Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.

Florida Small Game Seasons 2023

Gray Squirrel: Oct. 9-March 6

Quail: Nov. 13-March 6

Bobcat: Dec. 1-March 31

Otter: Dec. 1-March 1

Rabbit: Open season

Wild Hog: Open season

Raccoon: Open season

Opossum: Open season

Skunk: Open season

Nutria: Open season

Beaver: Open season

Coyote: Open season

Florida Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Alabama's hunting zones:

Florida Bag Limits 2023

Daily bag limit: 2 deer

  • During those portions of archery and crossbow seasons when antlerless deer can be taken, either deer may be antlered or antlerless.
  • During those portions of muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons when antlerless deer may be taken, only 1 deer may be antlerless.
  • During all other seasons, only antlered deer may be taken. Antlerless deer can only be taken by antlerless deer permit/tag.

Possession limit: 4 deer

Annual bag limit: 5 deer of which only 2 can be antlerless

Deer taken under the Deer Depredation Permit Program, Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program and Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), and on licensed game farms and hunting preserves are excluded from bag (daily and annual) and possession limits.

Florida Hunting License 2023

You must have a valid Florida Driver License or Florida ID card to receive a permit online. To purchase recreational hunting, fishing licenses and permits go to GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
First you will need a Hunting License and second you will need a permit for the big game you would like to hunt.

Resident/ NonresidentLicenseCost
ResidentHunting$17.00
NonresidentHunting$151.50
ResidentHunting and Fishing Combo$32.50
ResidentSportsman$80.80

Hunting Permit Costs

PermitCosts
Management area permit$26.50
Archery permit$5.00
Muzzleloading$5.00
Deer Permit$5.00
Turkey Permit$10.00
Turkey Permit- Nonresident$125.00

Florida Hunting Regulations 2023

Deer taken under the Deer Depredation Permit Program, Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program and Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), and on licensed game farms and hunting preserves are excluded from bag (daily and annual) and possession limits.

Helpful Resources

Official State Site:

Phone Number to Game Check:

Disclaimer:
FAQs
Can anyone hunt pythons in Florida?

In Florida, Pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission - there is no permit or hunting license required.

Can you hunt alligators in Florida?

Yes, Florida's early harvest alligator season starts in August.

When does hunting season start in Florida?

Florida deer hunting season starts July 31 for Archery and starts September 18 for gun (depending on the zone).

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