Florida Whitetail Hunting
Plan your Florida whitetail hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land whitetail hunts across Florida, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Florida Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Zone A Archery
–
Antlered deer. Antler regulations vary by deer management unit (DMU). Seasons, dates and bag limits do not apply to wildlife management areas. Harvest reporting required.
Zone A Crossbow
–
Archery
Antlered deer. Antler regulations vary by DMU. Seasons, dates and bag limits do not apply to wildlife management areas.
Zone A -dog Training
–
Deer-dog training season. No harvest.
Zone A Muzzleloading Gun
–
Muzzleloader
Antlered deer. Antler regulations vary by DMU.
Zone A Hunt Weekend
–
Youth hunters
Antlered deer. Youth deer hunt weekend.
Zone C Archery
–
Antlered deer.
Zone C Crossbow
–
Archery
Antlered deer.
Zone A General Gun Season Early
–
Rifle
Antlered deer. First segment of general gun season in Zone A.
Zone C -dog Training
–
Deer-dog training season. No harvest.
Zone C Muzzleloading Gun
–
Muzzleloader
Antlered deer.
Zone B Archery
–
Antlered deer. Antler regulations vary by DMU.
Zone B Crossbow
–
Archery
Antlered deer.
Zone C Hunt Weekend
–
Youth hunters
Antlered deer. Youth deer hunt weekend.
Zone D -dog Training
–
Deer-dog training season. No harvest.
Zone D Archery
–
Antlered deer.
Zone D Crossbow Season Early
–
Archery
Antlered deer. First segment of crossbow season.
Zone B -dog Training
–
Deer-dog training season. No harvest.
Zone C General Gun
–
Rifle
Antlered deer.
Zone B Muzzleloading Gun
–
Muzzleloader
Antlered deer.
Zone A General Gun Season Late
–
Rifle
Antlered deer. Second segment of general gun season in Zone A.
Zone D General Gun Season Early
–
Rifle
Antlered deer. First segment of general gun season.
Zone B Hunt Weekend
–
Youth hunters
Antlered deer. Youth deer hunt weekend.
Zone D Crossbow Season Late
–
Archery
Antlered deer. Second segment of crossbow season.
Zone D Hunt Weekend
–
Youth hunters
Antlered deer. Youth deer hunt weekend.
Zone D Muzzleloading Gun Season Early
–
Muzzleloader
Antlered deer. First segment of muzzleloading gun season.
Zone B General Gun
–
Rifle
Antlered deer.
Zone D General Gun Season Late
–
Rifle
Antlered deer. Second segment of general gun season.
Zone D Muzzleloading Gun Season Late
–
Muzzleloader
Antlered deer. Second segment of muzzleloading gun season.
Hunting Weekend
Dates vary by unit
Muzzleloader · Youth hunters
Two-day youth hunt coincides with each hunting zone's muzzleloading gun season. Available on lands outside of the WMA system for youth age 15 and under. Must be supervised by an adult.
Florida Whitetail Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Permit (5-Year) | OTC | — | $25.00 |
5-year permit. Available to residents only. | |||
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Deer-Dog Registration | OTC | — | $0.00 |
Required for deer hunters using dogs on private properties in Florida. No-cost registration from FWC. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the final day of general gun season in the hunting zone where the property is situated. Hunters must have registration numbers on dogs' collars, possess copies of the registration, and keep dogs on registered properties. Apply at MyFWC.com/Deer. | |||
| Deer Permit (Annual) | OTC | — | $5.00 |
| Special-Opportunity Permit - Fort Drum WMA Fall Hunt | Draw | — | $50.00 |
One seven-day general gun deer/hog hunt; 20 hunters on 20,858 acres. $5 non-refundable application fee per application. | |||
| Special-Opportunity Permit - Green Swamp WMA West Unit Fall Hunt | Draw | — | $100.00 |
Two archery and three general gun deer/hog hunts. Each four-day hunt; 54 hunters on 34,335 acres. $5 non-refundable application fee per application. | |||
| Special-Opportunity Permit - Lake Panasoffkee WMA Fall Hunt | Draw | — | $100.00 |
Eight archery deer/hog hunts. Each four-day hunt; 20 hunters on 8,676 acres. $5 non-refundable application fee per application. | |||
| Special-Opportunity Permit - Triple N Ranch WMA Fall Hunt | Draw | — | $175.00 |
Two seven-day general gun and one four-day muzzleloading gun hunt for deer/hogs; 15 hunters on 16,295 acres. $5 non-refundable application fee per application. | |||
| WMA Deer-Dog Permit | OTC | — | $0.00 |
No cost permit for deer hunting with dogs on wildlife management areas. Required for individuals hunting deer with dogs on WMAs. No-cost permit from FWC. Applies during any season when it is legal to take deer with dogs on WMAs and during a WMA's deer-dog training season. More info at MyFWC.com/Deer. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Whitetail deer seasons in Florida vary by zone and method of take. Zone A archery runs approximately August 2 to August 31, 2025, and crossbow runs approximately August 2 to September 5, 2025, with muzzleloading gun approximately September 6 to September 19, 2025, and rifle approximately September 20 to October 19, 2025, then November 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Zone B archery runs approximately October 18 to November 16, 2025, crossbow approximately October 18 to November 21, 2025, muzzleloading gun approximately November 22 to December 5, 2025, and rifle approximately December 6, 2025, to February 22, 2026. Zone C archery runs approximately September 13 to October 12, 2025, crossbow approximately September 13 to October 17, 2025, muzzleloading gun approximately October 18 to October 31, 2025, and rifle approximately November 1, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Zone D archery runs approximately October 25 to November 26, 2025, crossbow approximately October 25 to November 26, 2025, then December 1 to December 5, 2025, muzzleloading gun approximately December 6 to December 12, 2025, then February 23 to March 1, 2026, and rifle approximately November 27 to November 30, 2025, then December 13, 2025, to February 22, 2026. Youth hunt weekends occur during specific dates in each zone, and antler regulations vary by deer management unit. Seasons, dates, and bag limits do not apply to wildlife management areas, and harvest reporting is required.
Yes. Nonresidents can hunt whitetail in Florida through a Special-Opportunity Permit, which is available through a draw process.
See the latest Field Notes from properties offering whitetail hunts in Florida.
