Like fishing, hunting is for early risers — those who find contentment and peace in getting out into nature early. Like Brandon Thompson and his dog Odie. But that’s not all you’ll find in wild Florida.
From the Panhandle to the Everglades, we have some of the most accessible and affordable public hunting lands in the country. Six million bountiful and beautiful acres are closer than you think. So if you’re already an early riser, rise to the exciting challenge of hunting today.
Have you hunted recently?
Great!
Having a mentor like Brando
Programs
- Outfitters and guides
- Delta Waterfowl’s HunteR3 Program
- NonTypical Outdoors
- American Daughters of Conservation
- Future of Hunting in Florida
- Artemis Sportswomen
- Florida Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
- Gator Gobblers Chapter of NWTF
- Ducks Unlimited for kids and college students
- Florida Sportsmen Conservation Organization
- Everglades Coordinating Council
- United Waterfowlers – Florida
For Veterans
Like fishing, hunting is for early risers — those who find contentment and peace in getting out into nature early. Like Brandon Thompson and his dog Odie. But that’s not all you’ll find in wild Florida.
From the Panhandle to the Everglades, we have some of the most accessible and affordable public hunting lands in the country. Six million bountiful and beautiful acres are closer than you think. So if you’re already an early riser, rise to the exciting challenge of hunting today.
Do you have a license?
Great!
Find how to get lice
Like fishing, hunting is for early risers — those who find contentment and peace in getting out into nature early. Like Brandon Thompson and his dog Odie. But that’s not all you’ll find in wild Florida.
From the Panhandle to the Everglades, we have some of the most accessible and affordable public hunting lands in the country. Six million bountiful and beautiful acres are closer than you think. So if you’re already an early riser, rise to the exciting challenge of hunting today.
Do you need any trainings?
Showoff!
Find a program that is best for you:
Like fishing, hunting is for early risers — those who find contentment and peace in getting out into nature early. Like Brandon Thompson and his dog Odie. But that’s not all you’ll find in wild Florida.
From the Panhandle to the Everglades, we have some of the most accessible and affordable public hunting lands in the country. Six million bountiful and beautiful acres are closer than you think. So if you’re already an early riser, rise to the exciting challenge of hunting today.
Do you know what’s in season right now?
Great!
Check the hunting season dates:
Like fishing, hunting is for early risers — those who find contentment and peace in getting out into nature early. Like Brandon Thompson and his dog Odie. But that’s not all you’ll find in wild Florida.
From the Panhandle to the Everglades, we have some of the most accessible and affordable public hunting lands in the country. Six million bountiful and beautiful acres are closer than you think. So if you’re already an early riser, rise to the exciting challenge of hunting today.
Do you know where to go?
You’re an expert!
Search in specific areas:
Six million acres of hunting land
Florida has one of the largest systems of public hunting lands in the country at six million acres.
The FWC uses its scientific expertise to manage Florida’s wildlife resources to make sure conservation objectives are met and hunting opportunities are sustainable.
The Sunshine State offers a diversity of species to pursue from white-tailed deer, hogs, alligators, and turkeys to waterfowl, dove, bobwhite quail, and small game species such as gray squirrel, rabbits, and raccoons.
As long as there have been people, there has been hunting.
As settlers moved across this nation, they relied on bountiful game. Thanks to Teddy Roosevelt and hunters like him who started the conservation movement, we continue to be blessed with open spaces and bountiful wildlife.
You can continue this legacy in Florida by purchasing our “Deer Tag” license plate.
You help us conserve habitats, increase public hunting lands, and teach hunting safety to new generations.
HUNTING TIPS
Deer have an amazing sense of smell and are able to detect danger from far away, so care should be taken to cover your scent as much as possible and pay close attention to wind direction.
An antlerless deer is any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than five inches in length. An antlered deer is any deer having one or more antlers at least five inches in length.
The Osceola turkey can only be found in Florida and is a notoriously difficult species to hunt. Hunters from around the world travel to the sunshine state to hunt males, also called “gobblers.” Green Swamp WMA and Richloam WMA are two public WMAs known for their Osceola turkey populations
The use of decoys has proven successful. Seasoned hunters recommend setting up your decoy birds no less than 25-yards away. Like other turkey species, they can become “call shy,” so use hen calls sparingly when attempting to attract the Osceola gobbler.
White-tailed deer can thrive in a variety of landscapes but can often be found along the edge of where two or more different habitats meet, allowing them to easily feed and avoid predators.
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk when they like to feed on tender leaves, weeds, flowers, acorns and fruits of trees and shrubs.
Hunting waterfowl in Florida can vary greatly year-to-year due to weather conditions and changes in wetland habitats. Despite this, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, T.M. Goodwin WMA, and Lake Okeechobee remain popular duck hunting locations.
The secret to a successful duck hunt lies in the time spent researching and scouting a good location prior to your hunt. Much like turkeys, ducks respond well to the use of strategic decoys in areas they have been spotted.
Hunters enjoy using a variety of bows and firearms during specific seasons, but no rimfire cartridges can be used in taking deer.
When trying to find a good place to hunt, look for these food sources as well as deer sign like tracks, trails and where deer have rubbed smaller tree trunks with their antlers.
The statewide alligator hunting season begins on August 15th and ends on the morning of November 1st. Large adult alligators are territorial and tend to stay within a confined home range if their habitat and food needs are met. If you see a good-sized alligator while scouting before the season, it’s possible to encounter it in the same vicinity during your hunt.
Alligators are not classified as “game animals,” so recorded game calls are legal to use when hunting. These sounds can be effective at drawing in alligators.
Wild boar are an invasive species in Florida. A hunting license isn’t needed to hunt wild hogs at a WMA, however, a management area permit is required.
Boar are very common in Florida, but keep your eyes open for fresh soil disruption. They feed by rooting with their broad snouts leaving an area looking like a plowed field.