The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has hunting regulations and rules.
Rule changes related to hunting and FWC-managed areas were approved by the Commission.Below is an overview of the rule changes.July 1, 2021, is when most rules will take effect.
Rule changes are based on requests.FWC seeks input on proposed changes throughout the rulemaking process to achieve regulations based in hunter preference and sound science.You can learn more about the rulemaking process.
The bag and possession limits allow free-ranging, non-native deer of either sex to be taken without antler, bag or possession limitations.
Adult supervisors are allowed to participate in the youth deer hunt if they do not take wildlife.
There are hunting regulations for migratory birds other than ducks and coots.
The General RegulationsRelating to Wildlife Management Areas allow hunting with centerfire rifles during established small game seasons, but only on areas where hunting is already allowed during other seasons.This rule change does not apply to areas where hunting with centerfire rifles is not allowed.
Changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C. affect how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes on certain areas.
It is against the law to import or possess whole carcasses and parts of any species from any place other than Florida.White-tailed deer can be legally hunted from any property in Georgia or Alabama that is under the same ownership as the Florida state line.The requirements established by Executive Order 19-41 were replaced by this rule.
Specific regulations for Wildlife Management Areas adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C.
The quota requirement for each of the four 2-day Field Trial Area quail hunts has been removed by Blackwater WMA.
The September wild hog-dog hunt is moved to the second weekend of the month to avoid overlap with dove field hunts.
Box-R WMA establishes a bag limit of 1 antlerless deer per quota permit during archery season, and allows hunting with centerfire rifles during small game.
During small game season, hunting with centerfire rifles is not allowed in the Hayes Spring Run and Waddell Mill Creek areas.
All check station requirements are removed during the spring turkey season at the Choctawatchee River WMA.
Small game season allows hunting with centerfire rifles.
Phase 1 of mourning and white-winged dove season may be hunted on the first and second Saturdays.
Public access is not allowed during the mobility-impaired general gun hunt except for individuals who are permitted to participate in the hunt and non-hunting assistants.
Specific regulations for Wildlife Management Areas adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes, and revises specific area regulations on wildlife management areas in the North Central Region.
During small game season, any dog can be used to hunt quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds.
The use of dogs for hunting wild hog during the first 9 days of general gun season is allowed, as is the removal of the 17-inch shoulder height requirement for dogs used to hunt deer.
Small game season can be hunted with centerfire rifles and any dog can hunt small game.
The part of Withlacoochee State Forest that lies south of County Road 480, north of U.S. 98 and west of the power line can only be hunted during small game season.
During small game season, the Grove Park WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles, but no vehicle access is allowed on Prison Farm, Ivey and Johnson roads by people not in possession of a recreational use permit.
During small game season, the use of any dog can be used to hunt quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds.
Only the U.S. Forest Service-managed portion of the area allows hunting with centerfire rifles.
The area name was changed from PotashCorp to White Springs WMA.
Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas adjusts season dates to conform to calendar year changes, adjusts specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C.
The use of dogs for hunting wild hog during small game season is not allowed.
One day prior to each established hunt, Caravelle Ranch WMA prohibits camping except in designated campsites.
During small game season, the Guana River WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles.
Half Moon WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season and allows wild hog to be hunted in January.
The wild hog hunt can be changed into a small game hunt, the use of dogs can't be used for hunting wild hogs, and hunting with centerfire rifles is allowed.
Vehicles can use the Winding River Lane entrance during the duck season.
No deer or turkey can be dismembered or transported out of the hunt area until checked at a check station.
During small game season, the Three Lakes WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles.
Specific regulations for Wildlife Management Areas adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes, adjust specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to changes in rule 68A-15.004 F.A.C.
The Arbuckle WMA allows the use of any dog to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game), and removes 15-inch shoulder height restriction for dogs used for hunting.
Hunting equipment can't be used before 8 a.m. seven days prior to the opening of archery season.
Small game season can be opened on the weekend following the close of general gun season, and hunters can use centerfire rifles.
During small game season, the Green Swamp WMA allows camping at the Rock Ridge Road campground.
The first and third Thursdays in January and the first Thursday in February are when the general gun hunts are open.
During small game season, the use of any dog can be used to hunt quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game, as well as establish two 5-day wild hog-still hunts.The April and May hog-still hunts will coincide with the wild hog dog season.
The quota requirement for wild hog-still hunts is removed, the use of any dog is allowed during small game season, and there are two 5-day hunts in late April and late May.The April and May hog-still hunts will coincide with the wild hog dog season.
During small game season, the use of any dog can be used to hunt quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game.
There are open seasons and regulations for a new WMA in the state of Florida.
Walk in the Water WMA allows the use of any dog to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory game), and removes 15-inch shoulder height restriction for dogs used for hunting.
Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas adjusts how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes, adjusts specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season in response to changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C.
Only deer with at least one antler with 4 or more points can be Harvested in the Big Cypress WMA, Corn Dance Unit.
Big Cypress WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season except in the Deep Lake, Corn Dance, Loop, and Stairsteps units and removes the 15-inch shoulder height restriction for wild hog.
Dinner Island Ranch WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season, removes the bag limit for wild hog, and shifts the first family hunt to occur on the opening weekend of the antlered deer season.
Small game season allows hunting with centerfire rifles.
There are open seasons and regulations for a new WMA in Okeechobee County.
J.W. is a person.During small game season, Corbett WMA allows hunting with centerfire rifles, removes the bag limit for wild hog, and allows the dismemberment of hog before checking at a check station.
In response to the establishment of 5,528 new acres into the WMA, the quota for each archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun hunt has been increased from 125 to 145.
During small game season, the bag limit for wild hog is removed, and public access is not allowed after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise, except for permitted campers at designated campsites and individuals participating in a hunt during established seasons.
The bag limit for wild hog can be removed, as well as allowing hunting with centerfire rifles during small game season.
Specific regulations for Wildlife and Environmental Areas adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes, as well as adjusting specific area regulations regarding the use of centerfire rifles during small game season.