Florida Hunting Seasons 2023 [Updated Guide!]

Here is a rundown of the more important adjustments this season in case you’re wondering what new rules are in effect. An enhanced list and guide of Florida Hunting Seasons 2022–2023, rule modifications etc. for both specific wildlife management areas (WMAs) and state-wide seasons.

Florida has four distinct zones for hunting. Zone A encompasses Lake Okeechobee and the majority of the state below State Road 70. North of Tampa, Zone B comprises a portion of Western Central Florida. Everything in Zone C is located north of Zone A into the panhandle, around Zone B. Zones D and C are divided by State Road 61. Make careful to examine the region of Florida you want to visit while organizing your Florida hunting trip.

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 Hunting Seasons
Florida Hunting Seasons

Florida Deer Season 2023

ANTLERED DEER Each deer management unit has its own antler policies.

Florida Deer Seasons-(ANTLERED DEER)Hunting Start DateHunting End Date
Zone A
Archery seasonSaturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 28, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, July 30, 2022Friday, September 02, 2022
Muzzleloading gun seasonSaturday, September 03, 2022Friday, September 16, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, September 10, 2022Sunday, September 11, 2022
General gun season:Saturday, September 17, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022
Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023
Zone B
Archery seasonSaturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, November 13, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, October 15, 2022Friday, November 18, 2022
Muzzleloading gun seasonSaturday, November 19, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, November 26, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022
General gun seasonSaturday, December 03, 2022Sunday, February 19, 2023
Zone C
Archery seasonSaturday, September 17, 2022Saturday, September 17, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, September 17, 2022Saturday, September 17, 2022
Muzzleloading gun seasonSaturday, October 22, 2022Saturday, October 22, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, October 29, 2022Saturday, October 29, 2022
General gun seasonSaturday, November 05, 2022Saturday, November 05, 2022
Zone D
Archery seasonSaturday, October 22, 2022Saturday, October 22, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, October 22, 2022Saturday, October 22, 2022
Monday, November 28, 2022Monday, November 28, 2022
General gun seasonThursday, November 24, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, February 19, 2023
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, December 03, 2022Sunday, December 04, 2022
Muzzleloading gun seasonSaturday, December 03, 2022Friday, December 09, 2022
Sunday, February 20, 2022Sunday, February 26, 2023

DEER WITHOUT ANTLERS OR WITH ANTLERSLESS THAN 5 INCHES ARE CALLED ANTLERLESS DEER (Except Spotted Fawn).

Florida Deer Seasons-(ANTLERLESS DEER)Hunting Start DateHunting End Date
Zone A
Archery season (DMU-A2)Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 07, 2022
Archery season (DMU-A3)Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 14, 2022
DMU-A3Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 14, 2022
Crossbow season (DMU-A2)Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 07, 2022
Crossbow season (DMU-A3)Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 14, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekend (DMU-A2 & DMU-A3)Saturday, September 10, 2022Sunday, September 11, 2022
General gun season (DMU-A2)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 20, 2022
General gun season (DMU-A3)Saturday, November 19, 2022Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Zone B
Archery seasonSaturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, November 13, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, November 13, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, November 26, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022
General gun seasonFriday, December 30, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023
Zone C
Archery seasonSaturday, September 17, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, September 17, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022
Muzzleloading gun season (DMU-C5)Saturday, October 22, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, October 29, 2022Sunday, October 30, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C1)Friday, November 18, 2022Monday, November 21, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C2)Friday, November 18, 2022Sunday, November 20, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C3)Friday, November 18, 2022Sunday, November 20, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C4)Friday, November 18, 2022Monday, November 21, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C5)Saturday, November 05, 2022Sunday, November 06, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C5)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 20, 2022
General gun season (DMU-C6)Friday, November 18, 2022Monday, November 21, 2022
Zone D
Archery seasonSaturday, October 22, 2022Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Crossbow seasonSaturday, October 22, 2022Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Muzzleloading gun season (DMU D2)Saturday, December 03, 2022Sunday, December 04, 2022
Youth deer hunt weekendSaturday, December 03, 2022Sunday, December 04, 2022
General gun season (DMU-D1)Saturday, November 26, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022
General gun season (DMU-D1)Saturday, December 31, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023
General gun season (DMU-D2)Saturday, November 26, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022
General gun season (DMU-D2)Saturday, December 17, 2022Sunday, December 18, 2022
General gun season (DMU-D2)Saturday, December 31, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023
  • See the hunting zone map and the DMU-specific antler rules Click Here

Deer Bag Limits

Daily bag limit 2 deers
Possession limit4 deers
Annual bag limit5 deers of which only 2 can be antlerles
  • Deer may be either antlered or antlerless during the archery and crossbow seasons when antlerless deer may be taken.
  • Only one deer may be taken during the times of the muzzle loading gun and general gun seasons when antlerless deer may be harvested.
  • Only antlered deer may be taken in all other seasons. Only antlerless deer permits and tags are valid for taking antlerless deer.

NOTE: The bag (daily and annual) and possession limits do not apply to deer taken on private lands under the Antlerless Deer Permit Program (antlerless deer only), Private Lands Deer Management Permit Program, and Deer Depredation Permit Program, as well as on licenced game farms and hunting preserves.

Hog Season

FL Hogs SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Wild HogsSaturday, January 01, 2022Saturday, December 31, 2022Available Statewide and there is no limit. Any firearm, including a bow, crossbow, air gun, muzzleloader, or air rifle, may be used to kill them.

Bobcat Season

FL Bobcat SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
BobcatThursday, December 01, 2022Friday, March 31, 2023Available Statewide and there is no limit. Any firearm, including a bow, crossbow, air gun, muzzleloader, or air rifle, may be used to kill them.

Alligator Season

Florida Alligator Hunting SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Alligator (Early Harvest - 1)Monday, August 15, 2022Sunday, August 21, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Early Harvest - 2)Monday, August 22, 2022Sunday, August 28, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Early Harvest - 3)Monday, August 29, 2022Sunday, September 04, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Harvest - 4)Monday, September 05, 2022Tuesday, November 01, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Late Harvest - 1)Monday, September 12, 2022Tuesday, November 01, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Late Harvest - 2)Monday, September 12, 2022Tuesday, November 01, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.
Alligator (Late Harvest - 3)Monday, September 12, 2022Tuesday, November 01, 2022Statewide. There might be other restrictions.

Coyote Season

FL Coyote SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
CoyoteSaturday, January 01, 2022Saturday, December 31, 2022Available Statewide and there is no limit. Any firearm, including a bow, crossbow, air gun, muzzleloader, or air rifle, may be used to kill them.

Rabbit Season

FL Rabbit SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
RabbitSaturday, January 01, 2022Saturday, December 31, 2022Available Statewide. Limit of 12 bags per day. May be taken year round by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow or bow.

Dove Season

FL Dove SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Dove (Season-1)Saturday, September 24, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022White-winged & mourning. The daily bag limit is 15.
Dove (Season-2)Saturday, November 12, 2022Sunday, December 04, 2022White-winged & mourning. The daily bag limit is 15.
Dove (Season-3)Monday, December 19, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023White-winged & mourning. The daily bag limit is 15.

Duck Season

FL Duck SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Duck (Teal and Wood Duck)Saturday, September 17, 2022Wednesday, September 21, 2022Limit of 6 bags per day.
Duck (Teal Only)Thursday, September 22, 2022Sunday, September 25, 2022Limit of 6 bags per day.
Duck (Youth Waterfowl-1)Saturday, November 12, 2022Saturday, November 12, 2022Different species have different limits.
Duck (All Duck-1)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Limit of 6 bags per day.
Duck (All Duck-2)Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, January 29, 2023Limit of 6 bags per day.
Duck (Youth Waterfowl-2)Saturday, February 11, 2023Saturday, February 11, 2023Different species have different limits.

Goose Season

FL Goose SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Goose (Canada Goose-1)Saturday, September 03, 2022Sunday, September 25, 2022Limit of 5 bags per day.
Goose (Light Goose-1)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Limit of 15 bags per day.
Goose (Canada Goose-2)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Limit of 5 bags per day.
Goose (Canada Goose-3)Thursday, December 01, 2022Monday, January 30, 2023Limit of 5 bags per day.
Goose (Light Goose-2)Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, January 29, 2023Limit of 15 bags per day.

Quail Season

FL Quail SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
QuailSaturday, November 12, 2022Sunday, March 05, 2023Limit of 12 bags per day. Available Statewide

Turkey Season in Florida

FL Turkey SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Turkey (Fall Archery Zone-A)Saturday, July 30, 2022Sunday, August 28, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Crossbow Zone-A)Saturday, July 30, 2022Friday, September 02, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Muzzleloader Zone-A)Saturday, September 03, 2022Friday, September 16, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Archery Zone-C)Saturday, September 17, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Crossbow Zone-C)Saturday, September 17, 2022Friday, October 21, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Early Fall Zone-A)Monday, October 03, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Crossbow Zone-B)Saturday, October 15, 2022Friday, November 18, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Archery Zone-B)Saturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, November 13, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Muzzleloader Zone-C)Saturday, October 22, 2022Friday, November 04, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Early Fall Crossbow Zone-D)Saturday, October 22, 2022Wednesday, November 23, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Archery Zone-D)Saturday, October 22, 2022Wednesday, November 23, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Zone-C)Saturday, November 05, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Muzzleloader Zone-B)Saturday, November 19, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Late Fall Zone-A)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, January 01, 2023(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Early Fall Zone-D)Thursday, November 24, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Late Fall Crossbow Zone-D)Monday, November 28, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Muzzleloader Zone-D)Saturday, December 03, 2022Friday, December 09, 2022(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Fall Zone-B)Saturday, December 03, 2022Sunday, January 29, 2023(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Late Fall Zone-D)Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, January 15, 2023(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Youth Spring South)Saturday, February 25, 2023Sunday, February 26, 2023(Bearded turkeys only). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Spring South Zone)Saturday, March 04, 2023Sunday, April 09, 2023(South of State Road 70). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Youth Spring North)Saturday, March 11, 2023Sunday, March 12, 2023(South of State Road 70). Limit of 2 bags per day.
Turkey (Spring North ZoneSaturday, March 18, 2023Sunday, April 23, 2023North of State Road 70). Limit of 2 bags per day.

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-item 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 hunt Turkeys may be harvested by minors 15 years of age and younger, but they must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. However, if an adult supervisor has a hunting license and a turkey permit, they are permitted to “call in” the turkey and participate in other elements of the hunt. They are unable to fire or shoot at the bird, however. Find out more information about the weekend-long youth turkey hunt.

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

In Florida, what can you hunt year-round?

Wild or feral pigs are the second most common species targeted for hunting in Florida. You may only hunt on privately held property with the landowner’s consent. Wild pigs may be trapped and shot using any legal firearm, including a rifle, shotgun, crossbow, bow, pistol, spear, or air gun.

In Florida, do deer tags required to be worn?

All antlerless animals harvested in regions covered by the Antlerless Deer Permit Program must be marked with a specific antlerless deer tag, even if they are taken on a day when taking antlerless deer is typically allowed.

In Florida, is Sunday allowed for hunting?

On private land across the state, Sunday hunting is allowed for all species, with the exception of bear and turkey in Game Zones 1 and 2, where both are forbidden.

Can pythons be hunted in Florida?

Florida does not need a hunting license or permission to humanely kill pythons on private property at any time with the landowner’s consent.

Is Alligator hunting permitted in Florida?

Yes, the early harvest alligator season in Florida begins in August.

When does Florida's hunting season begin?

The season for deer hunting in Florida starts on July 31 with archery and on September 18 with guns (depending on the zone).

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