Florida Hunting Season 2023 New Regulations & Dates

Florida Hunting Season 2023-2024 brings forth exciting changes and rule modifications for hunters to anticipate. This updated list and guide offer a thorough overview of prospective hunting possibilities, emphasizing both particular wildlife management areas (WMAs) and state-wide seasons. Hunters may anticipate a season full of exciting challenges and gratifying experiences in the varied landscapes of Florida, whether it is new restrictions, altered bag limits, or updated hunting methods.

Florida has four distinct hunting zones: A, B, C, and D. Zone A includes the region south of State Road 70, which includes Lake Okeechobee and much of the state. Zone B, including a piece of Western Central Florida, is located north of Tampa. Zone C encircles Zone B as it stretches north of Zone A towards the panhandle. State Road 61 separates Zones D and C. To guarantee compliance with the rules and laws unique to that zone, it is essential to thoroughly review the area you wish to visit while organizing a hunting trip in Florida.

Florida Hunting Seasons

The Florida hunting season offers some of the most varied hunting chances. Along with hunting for deer, hogs, and turkeys, Florida’s alligator season serves as an example of how hunting may be used to maintain the sustainability of natural resources.

Florida Deer Season

Antlered Deer Season

FL Antlered Deer Season	Zone	Start Dates	End Dates
Archery season	A	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Sunday, August 27, 2023
Crossbow season	A	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Friday, September 01, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	A	Saturday, September 02, 2023	Friday, September 15, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	A	Saturday, September 09, 2023	Sunday, September 10, 2023
General gun season	A	Saturday, September 16, 2023	Sunday, October 15, 2023
General gun season	A	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Sunday, January 07, 2024
Archery season	B	Saturday, October 14, 2023	Sunday, November 12, 2023
Crossbow season	B	Saturday, October 14, 2023	Friday, November 17, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	B	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Friday, December 01, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	B	Saturday, November 25, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023
General gun season	B	Saturday, December 02, 2023	Sunday, February 18, 2024
Archery season	C	Saturday, September 16, 2023	Sunday, October 15, 2023
Crossbow season	C	Saturday, September 16, 2023	Friday, October 20, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	C	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Friday, November 03, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	C	Saturday, October 28, 2023	Sunday, October 29, 2023
General gun season	C	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, January 21, 2024
Archery season	D	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Crossbow season	D	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Crossbow season	D	Monday, November 27, 2023	Friday, December 01, 2023
General gun season	D	Thursday, November 23, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023
General gun season	D	Saturday, December 09, 2023	Sunday, February 18, 2024
Youth deer hunt weekend	D	Saturday, December 02, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	D	Saturday, December 02, 2023	Friday, December 08, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	D	Monday, February 19, 2024	Sunday, February 25, 2024

Antlerless Deer Season

FL Antlerless Deer Season	Zone/DMU	Start Dates	End Dates
Zone A:
Archery season	DMU A2	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Sunday, August 06, 2023
Archery season	DMU A3	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Sunday, August 13, 2023
Crossbow season	DMU A2	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Sunday, August 06, 2023
Crossbow season	DMU A3	Saturday, July 29, 2023	Sunday, August 13, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	DMU A2, A3	Saturday, September 09, 2023	Sunday, September 10, 2023
General gun season	DMU A2	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Sunday, November 19, 2023
General gun season	DMU A3	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Zone B:
Archery season	B	Saturday, October 14, 2023	Sunday, November 12, 2023
Crossbow season	B	Saturday, October 14, 2023	Sunday, November 12, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	B	Saturday, November 25, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023
General gun season	B	Friday, December 29, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023
Zone C:
Archery season	C	Saturday, September 16, 2023	Sunday, October 15, 2023
Crossbow season	C	Saturday, September 16, 2023	Sunday, October 15, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	C5	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Sunday, October 22, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	C	Saturday, October 28, 2023	Sunday, October 29, 2023
General gun season	DMU C1	Friday, November 17, 2023	Monday, November 20, 2023
General gun season	DMU C2	Friday, November 17, 2023	Sunday, November 19, 2023
General gun season	DMU C3	Friday, November 17, 2023	Sunday, November 19, 2023
General gun season	DMU C4	Friday, November 17, 2023	Monday, November 20, 2023
General gun season	DMU C5	Saturday, November 04, 2023	Sunday, November 05, 2023
General gun season	DMU C5	Saturday, November 18, 2023	Sunday, November 19, 2023
General gun season	DMU C6	Friday, November 17, 2023	Monday, November 20, 2023
Zone D:
Archery season	D	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Crossbow season	D	Saturday, October 21, 2023	Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Muzzleloading gun season	DMU D2	Saturday, December 02, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekend	D	Saturday, December 02, 2023	Sunday, December 03, 2023
General gun season	DMU D1	Saturday, November 25, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023
General gun season	DMU D1	Saturday, December 30, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023
General gun season	DMU D2	Saturday, November 25, 2023	Sunday, November 26, 2023
General gun season	DMU D2	Saturday, December 16, 2023	Sunday, December 17, 2023
General gun season	DMU D2	Saturday, December 30, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023

Deer Dog Training Season

Deer Dog Training Zone	Start Dates	End Dates
A	Saturday, August 12, 2023	Thursday, August 31, 2023
B	Saturday, October 28, 2023	Thursday, November 16, 2023
C	Saturday, September 30, 2023	Thursday, October 19, 2023
D	Saturday, October 28, 2023	Thursday, November 16, 2023

Deer Bag Limits

Deer Season Bag Limits	Bag Limit	Notes
Archery and Crossbow	2 deer	Either antlered or antlerless
Muzzleloading Gun and General Gun (Antlerless)	1 deer	Only 1 antlerless deer
Youth Deer Hunt Weekend	1 deer	Counts towards annual bag limit
All Other Seasons	Only antlered deer
Annual Bag Limit:
Season	Annual Bag Limit	Notes
All Seasons	5 deer	Only 2 can be antlerless
Youth Deer Hunt Weekend	1 deer	Counts towards annual bag limit
Possession Limit:
Season	Possession Limit
All Seasons	4 deer

Florida CWD Management Update 2023 by FWC

CWD Management Update 2023	Details
Date of Release	15-Sep-23
Issuing Agency	Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
CWD Confirmation in Holmes County	A single positive test sample for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in June 2023
Purpose of Executive Order	Implement management actions to prevent the spread of CWD in Florida deer
Existing Regulations	• Establishment of the CWD Management Zone • Baiting and feeding restrictions • Prohibition of rehabilitating or releasing injured or orphaned deer • Export restrictions on high-risk deer parts
New Regulations	• Deer taken between Dec. 9-10, 2023, in Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties must be checked at FWC check stations. • Deer Management Unit (DMU) D2 allows antlerless deer take during the antlered deer open season. • Antlerless deer take allowed in Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties within DMU D1 (excluding commission-managed areas) from Dec. 9-10, 2023.
Public Feedback Meetings	Two further public sessions in Bonifay and Marianna to debate and receive comment on the new guidelines will be aired on The Florida Channel.
Importance of Early Detection and Control of CWD	Due of CWD prions' environmental persistence, prompt action is needed to avoid infection.
Reporting Sick or Dead Deer	Report ill, emaciated, or dead deer to the CWD hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282).
Human and Livestock Safety Concerns	CWD has not been shown to spread naturally to people or cattle, although care is urged. The CDC advises against eating CWD-positive or ill animal meat. Handling exposed deer requires care.
Collaborative Efforts for CWD Control	The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Department of Health, CDC, and Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study work with FWC.
Additional Information	Regular updates available at MyFWC.com/CWD.

Alligator Season

FL Alligator Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Notes
Alligator Hunting	15-Aug	1-Nov	Hunters may take two alligators every season Alligator trappers must obtain a Statewide Alligator Harvest Permit Lottery permits
Quota Week 1	15-Aug	21-Aug	2 alligators every season
Quota Week 2	22-Aug	28-Aug	2 alligators every season
Quota Week 3	5-Sep	11-Sep	2 alligators every season
Quota Week 4	12-Sep	18-Sep	2 alligators every season

Squirrel Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Gray Squirrel (Statewide)	14-Oct	3-Mar	12	24

Quail Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Quail Season (Statewide)	11-Nov	3-Mar	12	24

Bobcat Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Bobcat Season (Statewide)	1-Dec	31-Mar	No limit	No limit

Otter Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Otter Season (Statewide)	1-Dec	1-Mar	No limit	No limit

Rabbits Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Rabbits Season (Statewide)	1-Jan	31-Dec	12	24

Wild Hogs Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Wild Hogs	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Raccoons Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Raccoons Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Opossums Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Opossums Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Skunks Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Skunks Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Nutrias Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Nutrias Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Beaver Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Beaver Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

Coyotes Season

Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limits
Coyotes Season	1-Jan	31-Dec	No limits	No limits

FL Migratory Birds Season

Duck Season

FL Duck Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Daily Bag Limit
Duck (W) (Teal and Wood Duck Only)	Sept. 16	Sept. 20	6 (including 2 Wood Ducks)
Duck (W) (Teal Only)	Sept. 21	Sept. 24	6
Duck (W) (General Duck)	Nov. 18	Nov. 26	6 (including no more than 4 Mallards, 4 Sea Ducks, 3 Wood Ducks, 2 Redheads, 2 Black Ducks, 2 Canvasbacks, 1 Pintail, 1 Mottled Duck, and 1 Fulvous Whistling-Duck)
Duck (W) (General Duck)	Dec. 9	Jan. 28	6 (including no more than 4 Mallards, 4 Sea Ducks, 3 Wood Ducks, 2 Redheads, 2 Black Ducks, 2 Canvasbacks, 1 Pintail, 1 Mottled Duck, 1 Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and 1 Scaup*)

Coots Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Coot	18-Nov	26-Nov	15	45
Coot	9-Dec	28-Jan	15	45

Merganser Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Merganser (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded) (W)	18-Nov	26-Nov	5	15
Merganser (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded) (W)	9-Dec	28-Jan	5	15

Crow Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Crow	12-Aug	29-Oct	No Limit	No Limit
Crow	11-Nov	18-Feb	No Limit	No Limit

Rail Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Rail (King and clapper)	1-Sep	9-Nov	15	45
Rail (Sora and Virginia)	1-Sep	9-Nov	25	75

Gallinule Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Common gallinule (Moorhen)	1-Sep	9-Nov	15	45

Goose Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Canada Goose (W)	2-Sep	24-Sep	5	15
Canada Goose (W)	18-Nov	26-Nov	5	15
Canada Goose (W)	1-Dec	30-Jan	5	15
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross') (W)	18-Nov	26-Nov	15	No Limit
Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross') (W)	9-Dec	28-Jan	15	No Limit

Snipe Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Snipe Season	1-Nov	15-Feb	8	24

Dove Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Dove (Mourning and White-winged)	23-Sep	15-Oct	15	45
Dove (Mourning and White-winged)	11-Nov	3-Dec	15	45
Dove (Mourning and White-winged)	19-Dec	31-Jan	15	45

Woodcock Season

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates	Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Woodcock	18-Dec	31-Jan	3	9

FL Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunt

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days	Feb. 3	Feb. 4

FL Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Species/Season	Start Dates	End Dates
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days	11-Nov	11-Nov
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days	10-Feb	10-Feb

Turkey Season in Florida

FL Turkey Hunting Season	Zones	Season Dates
Archery Season	A	30-Jul - 28-Aug
Crossbow Season	A	30-Jul - 2-Sep
Muzzleloading Gun Season	A	3-Sep - 16-Sep
Fall Turkey Season	A	3-Oct - 1-Oct
Fall Turkey Season	A	19-Nov - 1-Jan
Archery Season	B	15-Oct - 13-Nov
Crossbow Season	B	15-Oct - 18-Nov
Muzzleloading Gun Season	B	19-Nov - 2-Dec
Fall Turkey Season	B	3-Dec - 29-Jan
Archery Season	C	17-Sep - 16-Oct
Crossbow Season	C	17-Sep - 21-Oct
Muzzleloading Gun Season	C	22-Oct - 4-Nov
Fall Turkey Season	C	5-Nov - 1-Jan
Archery Season	D	22-Oct - 23-Nov
Crossbow Season	D	22-Oct - 23-Nov
Crossbow Season	D	28-Nov - 2-Dec
Muzzleloading Gun Season	D	3-Dec - 9-Dec
Fall Turkey Season	D	24-Nov - 27-Nov
Fall Turkey Season	D	10-Dec - 15-Jan

Turkey bag Limits

Season	Daily Bag Limit	Maximum Bags Per Season	Approved Take Techniques
Fall Season	2 turkeys	2 bags	Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows
Spring Season	2 turkeys	2 turkeys	Shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows

The Florida turkey season for 2023 is a great opportunity for hunters to bag a big gobbler in the sunshine state. Hunters should familiarize themselves with specific dates, regulations, and appropriate hunting methods and equipment. Our website has a useful article on turkey hunting in Florida exclusively, including tips and specific regulations from experts.

Fall Season

• Two turkeys every day, per bag
• For the entirety of the fall seasons, there is a two-bag maximum every season.
• Approved take techniques include shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows, and bows.

Spring Season

• Two turkeys every day, per bag

• Two per season, including all spring seasons.

• Approved take techniques include shotguns, rifles, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, pistols, muzzleloaders, crossbows, and bows.

• **Weekend youth turkey hunts allow 15-year-olds to harvest turkeys with adult supervision. If the adult supervisor has a hunting license and turkey permit, they may actively participate in “calling in” the turkey and other hunt activities. The adult supervisor can help hunt, but they cannot shoot the bird. Additional resources or the official rules might provide further information on the weekend-long youth turkey hunt.

Florida Chronic Wasting Disease 2023

Florida Chronic Wasting Disease	Details
What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?	CWD is a fatal neurological infection affecting deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer, and moose.
CWD Transmission	It is caused by abnormal prion proteins that lead to brain damage, resulting in abnormal behavior, emaciation, and death.
CWD in Florida 2023	In June, a 4-year-old female deer in Holmes County, Florida, tested positive for CWD, the first known case in the state.
Other Affected Areas (States and Provinces)	CWD has been reported in several U.S. states and Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Human Transmission Risk	No reported cases of CWD in humans, but studies suggest a potential risk to certain non-human primates.
Prevention Measures	Hunters in CWD-affected areas should consider testing harvested animals, avoid consuming infected meat, and follow specific handling procedures.
Signs of CWD in Deer	Infected animals may appear normal for an extended period, followed by extreme weight loss, abnormal behavior, and death.
CWD Treatment and Decontamination	There is no known cure for CWD, and decontaminating the environment is difficult and largely ineffective.
CWD Management Zone (Florida)	FWC established a CWD Management Zone, including parts of Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties in Florida.
Mechanisms of CWD Transmission	Transmission primarily occurs from animal to animal, with minimal risk of transmission from mother to fetus. CWD agent can be present in various bodily fluids.
Transport Restrictions	All states with CWD cases have transport restrictions in counties where the disease is reported.
Live Animal Testing for CWD	Currently, there is no practical live animal test for CWD diagnosis; it is diagnosed postmortem.
Incubation Period	The incubation period is approximately 16 months to 3 years, with clinical signs typically appearing late in the disease cycle.
Fatality Rate	CWD is always fatal once an animal is infected, with death occurring within months of clinical signs.
Prion Disease in Humans	Prion diseases in humans include Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and others.
Human Exposure to CWD	While no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans exists, human exposure to the infectious agent should be avoided.
CWD Hotline (Florida)	To report sick or suspicious deer, call the CWD hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282).

FL hunting zone boundaries and maps.

FL Hunting Licenses & Permits

For details of Florida hunting licenses and permits find below.

Often Asked Questions on FL Hunting Seasons

What are the year-round hunting opportunities in Florida?

Wild or feral pigs, the second most frequent animal killed in Florida, are one of the year-round hunting options there. It is crucial to remember that wild pig hunting is only permitted on privately owned property with the landowner’s permission. To catch and kill wild pigs, hunters can use any authorized weapon, including rifles, shotguns, crossbows, bows, pistols, spears, or air guns.

Is it required to wear deer tags in Florida?

It is mandatory to wear a deer tag in Florida. All antlerless animals taken in areas covered by the Antlerless Deer Permit Program must be identified with a special antlerless deer tag. Even if the harvest occurs on a day when taking antlerless deer is typically permitted, this criterion still applies. Ensuring adherence to this tagging technique helps efficiently manage and oversee the antlerless deer hunt in the allocated areas.

Is hunting permitted on Sundays in Florida?

All species may be hunted on Sundays in Florida on private property, except bear and turkey in Game Zones 1 and 2, where it is illegal. This implies that, except for specified Game Zones, hunters may engage in hunting activities on Sundays across most of Florida. Understanding the rules and restrictions that apply depending on the place and species being hunted is essential.

Can pythons be hunted in Florida?

Yes, pythons can be hunted in Florida; Private and Commission-managed properties in Florida allow python hunting without a permit. Python bags are unlimited. Since live transit is prohibited, pythons must be killed on-site. The FWC advocates private land python capture and humane death. The annual Florida Python Challenge® awards cash prizes to those who remove the most pythons from public lands. The FWC website has regulations and standards for hunting pythons in Florida. The Removing Pythons in Florida page has further information.

Is Alligator hunting permitted in Florida?

Yes, alligator hunting is permitted in Florida. Florida alligator hunting season is August 15–November 1. Hunters need a Statewide Alligator Harvest Permit and a current Alligator Trapping License to participate. Lottery-issued licenses are few. To kill humanely, hunters must obey weapons and ethics standards. The FWC website accepts permit applications for the 2023-2024 season until June 15, 2023. Visit the Alligator Hunting in Florida website for additional information and the Statewide Alligator Hunt Permit page to learn more about it.

When does the Florida Hunting Season 2023-2024 start and end?

The Florida Hunting Season 2023-2024 spans from August to January. The particular dates for the several hunt seasons throughout this span are: Deer season runs from September to January, with archery and crossbow seasons in September and muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons in November. Late November is deer youth gun hunt weekend. A youth turkey hunt weekend is held in March during turkey season. Duck and teal seasons are September through February. Hog season is January, while the bear season is October–November.