Florida 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Florida's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens between September 19, 2026 and December 5, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 21, 2027.
Archery deer season opens between August 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 4, 2026.
Fall turkey season opens between October 5, 2026 and December 5, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Florida FWC.
- firearm deer
- opens Sep 19-Dec 5, 2026 by zone
- archery deer
- opens Aug 1-Oct 24, 2026 by zone
- fall turkey
- opens Oct 5-Dec 5, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Florida's seasons
Deer Management Units change the dates dramatically
Florida is divided into Deer Management Units (DMUs) whose seasons can open and close weeks apart, so a single statewide date does not describe the state. Read the rows below by DMU, and account for separate archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and general-gun phases.
Public wildlife management areas often carry their own rules; confirm DMU boundaries and area-specific dates with the official Florida FWC source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Florida FWC before hunting.
Deer
54 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Dog Training
Deer dog training season.
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer
Dog Training
Deer dog training season.
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer (Antlered)
Crossbow
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer (Antlered)
Archery
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer (Antlered)
Archery
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer (Antlered)
Crossbow
Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov. 30 - Dec. 4
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer (Antlered)
Muzzleloading Gun
Zone: Zone C
White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)
Archery
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)
Crossbow
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)
Muzzleloading Gun
Zone: Zone C
White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)
Crossbow
Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov 30 - Dec. 4
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)
Archery
Zone: Zone D
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerDog Training · Zone ADeer dog training season. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth Deer Hunt Weekend · Zone AYouth 15 and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn (antlerless only in DMUs A2 and A3), supervised by an adult 18 or older. Does not apply to wildlife management areas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerDog Training · Zone CDeer dog training season. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth Deer Hunt Weekend · Zone CYouth 15 and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn, supervised by an adult 18 or older. Does not apply to wildlife management areas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth Deer Hunt Weekend · Zone BYouth 15 and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn, supervised by an adult 18 or older. Does not apply to wildlife management areas. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth Deer Hunt Weekend · Zone DYouth 15 and younger can harvest any deer except spotted fawn, supervised by an adult 18 or older. Does not apply to wildlife management areas. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Crossbow · Zone AOnly crossbows, bows and airbows may be used. | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Archery · Zone AAntler regulations vary by deer management unit. Only bows may be used. | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone A | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone ASept. 19 – Oct. 18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3 | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Crossbow · Zone C | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Archery · Zone C | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone C | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone ASept. 19 – Oct. 18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone B | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone DNov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Feb. 21 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Crossbow · Zone DOct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone B | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone DDec. 5-11, Feb. 22-28 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)General Gun · Zone DNov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Feb. 21 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlered)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone DDec. 5-11, Feb. 22-28 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Crossbow · Zone A - DMU A2 | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Crossbow · Zone A - DMU A3 | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Archery · Zone A - DMU A2Antlerless: deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches. | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Archery · Zone A - DMU A3 | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Crossbow · Zone C | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Archery · Zone C | Closed | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C5 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C4 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C6 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C1 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone B | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C3 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone A - DMU A2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone A - DMU A3 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone C - DMU C2 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone DNov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Feb. 21 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Crossbow · Zone DOct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov 30 - Dec. 4 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone DDec. 5-11, Feb. 22 – 28 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone DNov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Feb. 21 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)General Gun · Zone B | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed Deer (Antlerless)Muzzleloading Gun · Zone DDec. 5-11, Feb. 22 – 28 | Upcoming |
Turkey
23 listed rowsWild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Archery (Fall)
Zone: Zone B
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Crossbow (Fall)
Zone: Zone B
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Archery (Fall)
Zone: Zone D
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Muzzleloading Gun (Fall)
Zone: Zone C
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Crossbow (Fall)
Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov. 30 - Dec. 4
Zone: Zone D
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Fall Turkey Season
Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, handguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.
Zone: Zone C
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Fall Turkey Season
Oct. 5-18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3. Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, handguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.
Zone: Zone A
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Muzzleloading Gun (Fall)
Zone: Zone B
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Fall Turkey Season
Nov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Jan. 17
Zone: Zone D
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Crossbow (Fall)
Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Nov. 30 - Dec. 4
Zone: Zone D
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Muzzleloading Gun (Fall)
Zone: Zone D
Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)
Fall Turkey Season
Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, handguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used.
Zone: Zone B
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Archery (Fall) · Zone A | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Crossbow (Fall) · Zone A | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Muzzleloading Gun (Fall) · Zone A | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Archery (Fall) · Zone C | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Crossbow (Fall) · Zone C | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Fall Turkey Season · Zone AOct. 5-18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3. Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, handguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows or bows may be used. | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Fall Turkey Season · Zone DNov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Jan. 17 | Upcoming | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Youth Turkey Hunt · South of State Road 70Youth 15 and younger, supervised by an adult 18 or older who cannot shoot. | Upcoming | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Spring Turkey Season · South of State Road 70 | Upcoming | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Youth Turkey Hunt · North of State Road 70Youth 15 and younger, supervised by an adult 18 or older who cannot shoot. | Upcoming | |
| Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded only)Spring Turkey Season · North of State Road 70 | Upcoming |
Waterfowl
15 listed rowsDuck, Light Geese, Canada Goose, Merganser, Coot, Common Gallinule
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
Only youth 15 and younger, supervised by a non-hunting adult 18 or older.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
General
Possession limit 15. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Coot
General
Possession limit 45.
Zone: Statewide
Duck
General
Scaup 1 Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12 – Jan. 11; 2 Jan. 12-31. Possession 3 times the daily bag limit. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Light Geese (Snow, Blue and Ross')
General
No possession limit. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Merganser (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded)
General
Possession limit 15. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
General
Possession limit 15. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Coot
General
Possession limit 45.
Zone: Statewide
Duck
General
Scaup 1 Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12 – Jan. 11; 2 Jan. 12-31. Possession 3 times the daily bag limit. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Light Geese (Snow, Blue and Ross')
General
No possession limit. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Merganser (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded)
General
Possession limit 15. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required.
Zone: Statewide
Duck, Light Geese, Canada Goose, Merganser, Coot, Common Gallinule
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days
Only veterans or members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserves.
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GooseEarly Season · StatewidePossession limit 15. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required. | Closed | |
| DuckEarly Season (Teal and Wood Duck) · StatewideTeal and wood duck only. Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required. | Closed | |
| Duck, Light Geese, Canada Goose, Merganser, Coot, Common GallinuleYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days · StatewideOnly youth 15 and younger, supervised by a non-hunting adult 18 or older. | Upcoming |
Dove
Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove
Second Season
Migratory bird permit required.
Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove
Third Season
Migratory bird permit required.
Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove
Early Season
Migratory bird permit required.
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General
Possession limit 24.
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbits
Year-round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Possession limit 24.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Year-round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Possession limit 24.
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Bobcat
General
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
General
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Wild Hog, Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk, Beaver, Coyote
Year-round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Common Gallinule (Moorhen)
General
Migratory bird permit required.
Rail (King and Clapper)
General
Migratory bird permit required.
Rail (Sora and Virginia)
General
Migratory bird permit required.
Snipe
General
Migratory bird permit required.
Woodcock
General
Migratory bird permit required.
Other
Crow
General
No hunting license or permit required. First segment (Aug. 8 – Oct. 25) is Saturdays and Sundays only.
Crow
General
Saturdays and Sundays only during Aug. 8 – Oct. 25. Second segment: Nov. 11 – Feb. 18 (daily). No hunting license or permit required.
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Florida Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Florida?
Archery deer season opens between August 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 4, 2026. Firearm deer season opens between September 19, 2026 and December 5, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 21, 2027. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Florida FWC.
When is Florida's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens between September 19, 2026 and December 5, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 21, 2027. Check zone and permit details with Florida FWC before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Florida?
Spring turkey season opens between March 6, 2027 and March 20, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes April 25, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Florida?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Florida hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Florida FWC.
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