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Florida Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $17 · nonresident $151.5. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery - Zone A (antlered)Aug 1, 2026Aug 30, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow - Zone A (antlered)Aug 1, 2026Sep 4, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun - Zone A (antlered)Sep 5, 2026Sep 18, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Youth deer hunt weekend - Zone ASep 12, 2026Sep 13, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
General gun - Zone A (first segment, antlered)Sep 19, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone A (second segment, antlered)Nov 21, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
Archery - Zone A antlerless, DMU A2Aug 1, 2026Aug 9, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Archery - Zone A antlerless, DMU A3Aug 1, 2026Aug 16, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow - Zone A antlerless, DMU A2Aug 1, 2026Aug 9, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
Crossbow - Zone A antlerless, DMU A3Aug 1, 2026Aug 16, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
General gun - Zone A antlerless, DMU A2Nov 21, 2026Nov 22, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone A antlerless, DMU A3Nov 21, 2026Nov 24, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
Archery - Zone BOct 17, 2026Nov 15, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow - Zone BOct 17, 2026Nov 20, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun - Zone BNov 21, 2026Dec 4, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Youth deer hunt weekend - Zone BNov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
General gun - Zone B (antlered)Dec 5, 2026Feb 21, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone B (antlerless)Dec 26, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
Archery - Zone CSep 19, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow - Zone CSep 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun - Zone COct 24, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Youth deer hunt weekend - Zone COct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
General gun - Zone C (antlered)Nov 7, 2026Jan 24, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone C antlerless, DMUs C1, C2, C3, C4 and C6Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone C antlerless, DMU C5Nov 7, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
Archery - Zone DOct 24, 2026Nov 25, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow - Zone D (first segment)Oct 24, 2026Nov 25, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
Crossbow - Zone D (second segment)Nov 30, 2026Dec 4, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Crossbow Permit
General gun - Zone D (first segment)Nov 26, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
General gun - Zone D (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Feb 21, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
Youth deer hunt weekend - Zone DDec 5, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
Muzzleloading gun - Zone D (first segment)Dec 5, 2026Dec 11, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Muzzleloading gun - Zone D (second segment)Feb 22, 2027Feb 28, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Deer dog training - Zone AAug 15, 2026Sep 3, 2026Deer Dog Training Permit (training only, no take)
Deer dog training - Zone BOct 31, 2026Nov 19, 2026Deer Dog Training Permit (training only, no take)
Deer dog training - Zone COct 3, 2026Oct 22, 2026Deer Dog Training Permit (training only, no take)
Deer dog training - Zone DOct 31, 2026Nov 19, 2026Deer Dog Training Permit (training only, no take)

Wild Turkey (gobblers and bearded turkeys only) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery (fall) - Zone AAug 1, 2026Aug 30, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow (fall) - Zone AAug 1, 2026Sep 4, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun (fall) - Zone ASep 5, 2026Sep 18, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Fall turkey - Zone A (first segment)Oct 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Fall turkey - Zone A (second segment)Nov 21, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Archery (fall) - Zone BOct 17, 2026Nov 15, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow (fall) - Zone BOct 17, 2026Nov 20, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun (fall) - Zone BNov 21, 2026Dec 4, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Fall turkey - Zone BDec 5, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Archery (fall) - Zone CSep 19, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow (fall) - Zone CSep 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun (fall) - Zone COct 24, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Fall turkey - Zone CNov 7, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Archery (fall) - Zone DOct 24, 2026Nov 25, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Archery Permit
Crossbow (fall) - Zone D (first segment)Oct 24, 2026Nov 25, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Crossbow Permit
Crossbow (fall) - Zone D (second segment)Nov 30, 2026Dec 4, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Crossbow Permit
Muzzleloading gun (fall) - Zone DDec 5, 2026Dec 11, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit + Muzzleloading Gun Permit
Fall turkey - Zone D (first segment)Nov 26, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Fall turkey - Zone D (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 17, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Youth turkey hunt - north of State Road 70: North of State Road 70Mar 12, 2027Mar 15, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
Spring turkey - north of State Road 70: North of State Road 70Mar 20, 2027Apr 25, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Youth turkey hunt - south of State Road 70: South of State Road 70Feb 26, 2027Mar 1, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit (youth 15 and under, supervised)
Spring turkey - south of State Road 70: South of State Road 70Mar 6, 2027Apr 11, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit

Florida Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Bear Hunt - East Panhandle BHZ: East Panhandle Bear Harvest ZoneDec 5, 2026Dec 27, 2026Hunting License + Bear Harvest Permit (limited entry)
Statewide Bear Hunt - North BHZ: North Bear Harvest ZoneDec 5, 2026Dec 27, 2026Hunting License + Bear Harvest Permit (limited entry)
Statewide Bear Hunt - Central BHZ: Central Bear Harvest ZoneDec 5, 2026Dec 27, 2026Hunting License + Bear Harvest Permit (limited entry)
Statewide Bear Hunt - South BHZ: South Bear Harvest ZoneDec 5, 2026Dec 27, 2026Hunting License + Bear Harvest Permit (limited entry)
Private Lands Bear Harvest ProgramOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Private Lands Bear Harvest Program permit issued to the enrolled landowner

American Alligator Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Alligator Harvest - general season windowAug 15, 2026Nov 1, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags (limited-entry permit)
Assigned harvest period 1Aug 15, 2026Aug 21, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags (permit period 1)
Assigned harvest period 2Aug 22, 2026Aug 28, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags (permit period 2)
Assigned harvest period 3Aug 29, 2026Sep 4, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags (permit period 3)
Assigned harvest period 4Sep 5, 2026Sep 11, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags (permit period 4)
Open period (unfilled permits)Sep 12, 2026Nov 1, 2026Alligator Trapping License and CITES tags

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideDec 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide (first segment, Saturdays and Sundays only)Aug 8, 2026Oct 25, 2026No hunting license or permit required for crow
Statewide (second segment)Nov 11, 2026Feb 18, 2027No hunting license or permit required for crow

Mourning and White-winged Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide (first segment)Sep 26, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit
Statewide (second segment)Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit
Statewide (third segment)Dec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit

Common Gallinule (Moorhen) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit

Wild Hog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License (private land rules vary; no licence needed on private land with landowner permission)
Trapping (live traps and snares)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideDec 1, 2026Mar 1, 2027Hunting License

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideNov 14, 2026Mar 7, 2027Hunting License

Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Rails (King, Clapper, Sora and Virginia) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit

Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideNov 1, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting License

Duck, Goose & Waterfowl Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks: Early teal and wood duck seasonSep 19, 2026Sep 23, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks: Regular duck season (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks: Regular duck season (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Statewide (first segment)Sep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Statewide (second segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Statewide (third segment)Dec 1, 2026Jan 30, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Light Geese (Snow, Blue and Ross's): Statewide (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Light Geese (Snow, Blue and Ross's): Statewide (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Mergansers (Common, Red-breasted and Hooded): Statewide (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Mergansers (Common, Red-breasted and Hooded): Statewide (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
American Coot: Statewide (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit
American Coot: Statewide (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit
Youth, Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days: Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day (first)Nov 14, 2026Nov 14, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp (as applicable)
Youth, Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days: Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day (second)Feb 13, 2027Feb 13, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp (as applicable)
Youth, Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days: Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl DaysFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit + Florida Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp (as applicable)

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird Permit
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
Licenses, CWD zones & official links → Build a hunt plan

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