Florida deer hunting season does not begin on one statewide date. Instead, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission divides the state into Zones A, B, C, and D, with separate archery, crossbow, muzzleloading, and general gun seasons. For the 2026–2027 season, opening dates range from August 1 in southern Florida to October 24 in parts of the Panhandle. Hunters must also check their Deer Management Unit, antler requirements, public-land regulations, licenses, and harvest-reporting rules before entering the field.
When Is Deer Hunting Season in Florida?
The Florida deer hunting season generally runs from August through February, but the exact dates depend on the hunting zone and legal method of take. Zone A opens first, while Zones B and D have seasons continuing through February.
The dates below apply primarily to lands outside Florida’s Wildlife Management Area system. Individual WMAs may have shorter seasons, quota requirements, different legal weapons, or other special restrictions.
Florida Deer Season Dates by Zone
| Florida zone | Archery season | Crossbow season | Muzzleloading gun season | General gun season |
| Zone A | Aug. 1–30, 2026 | Aug. 1–Sept. 4, 2026 | Sept. 5–18, 2026 | Sept. 19–Oct. 18, 2026; Nov. 21, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 |
| Zone B | Oct. 17–Nov. 15, 2026 | Oct. 17–Nov. 20, 2026 | Nov. 21–Dec. 4, 2026 | Dec. 5, 2026–Feb. 21, 2027 |
| Zone C | Sept. 19–Oct. 18, 2026 | Sept. 19–Oct. 23, 2026 | Oct. 24–Nov. 6, 2026 | Nov. 7, 2026–Jan. 24, 2027 |
| Zone D | Oct. 24–Nov. 25, 2026 | Oct. 24–Nov. 25 and Nov. 30–Dec. 4, 2026 | Dec. 5–11, 2026; Feb. 22–28, 2027 | Nov. 26–29, 2026; Dec. 12, 2026–Feb. 21, 2027 |
These are the official 2026–2027 dates for antlered deer on lands outside the WMA system.
When Does Florida Deer Hunting Season Start?
Florida’s first deer season opens in Zone A on August 1, 2026, when archery and crossbow hunting begin. Zone C opens September 19, Zone B opens October 17, and Zone D opens October 24.
First Day of Deer Season by Zone
- Zone A: August 1, 2026
- Zone C: September 19, 2026
- Zone B: October 17, 2026
- Zone D: October 24, 2026
Hunters should verify their location on the official FWC zone map rather than relying only on county names. Some zone and Deer Management Unit boundaries follow highways, rivers, coastlines, and other geographic features.
When Does Deer Hunting Season End in Florida?
The final closing date also varies by zone. Zone A’s general gun season ends January 3, 2027, while Zone C closes January 24. General gun hunting in Zones B and D continues through February 21.
Zone D has an additional late muzzleloading gun season running from February 22 through February 28, 2027. Therefore, the final statewide deer hunting opportunity on lands outside the WMA system ends on February 28, 2027.
Florida Antlerless Deer Season
Antlerless deer are deer without antlers or with antlers measuring less than five inches. They cannot necessarily be harvested throughout every open antlered-deer season. Legal dates depend on the zone and Deer Management Unit.
Important Antlerless Season Dates
- Zone A: Limited dates in DMUs A2 and A3 during archery, crossbow and November general gun periods.
- Zone B: Open during archery, crossbow and muzzleloader seasons, plus Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 during general gun season.
- Zone C: Open during archery, crossbow and muzzleloader seasons. General gun dates vary by DMU.
- Zone D: Antlerless deer may be taken throughout the listed archery, crossbow, muzzleloader and general gun seasons.
In Zone C, general gun antlerless hunting runs November 21–29 in DMUs C1, C2, C3, C4 and C6. DMU C5 has a longer period from November 7 through December 6.
Florida Deer Bag Limits
Florida uses daily, possession and annual limits to manage deer harvest. These limits apply statewide unless a specific permit program or managed property provides an exception.
| Limit type | Number of deer |
| Daily bag limit | 2 |
| Possession limit | 4 |
| Annual statewide limit | 5 |
| Maximum antlerless deer | 2 statewide; up to 3 in DMU D2 |
The annual limit is five deer, of which no more than two may normally be antlerless. Hunters on lands outside the WMA system in DMU D2 may take up to three antlerless deer as part of the five-deer annual limit.
Antler Requirements by Deer Management Unit
Florida’s four hunting zones are divided into smaller Deer Management Units. These units include A1–A3, B1, C1–C6 and D1–D2. Legal antler criteria vary, so a buck that is legal in one unit may not meet the requirements in another.
For example, adult hunters in DMU C3 may take an antlered deer only when it has an antler with at least two points measuring one inch or longer. In DMUs C4, C5, C6 and D2, a legal deer must generally have an antler with at least three one-inch points or a main beam at least 10 inches long. Youth exceptions may apply.
Always identify the correct DMU before deciding whether a deer is legal.
Licenses and Permits Needed
Most hunters need more than a basic hunting license. Requirements depend on the season and whether the hunt takes place on private property or a WMA.
Common Florida Deer Hunting Requirements
- Florida hunting license
- Deer permit
- Archery permit during archery season
- Crossbow permit during crossbow season
- Muzzleloading gun permit during muzzleloader season
- Management area permit when hunting most WMAs
- Quota permit for designated limited-entry WMA hunts
General gun hunters normally need a hunting license and deer permit. Exemptions may apply based on age, residency, property ownership or other circumstances.
Hunting on Florida Wildlife Management Areas
Statewide zone dates should not automatically be used for public-land hunts. Every WMA can establish its own hunt dates, legal methods, check-station rules, antler requirements and quota permit system.
Before hunting public land, read the current regulation brochure for that specific WMA. A management area permit is generally required, and popular areas may require hunters to obtain a limited-entry quota permit before the season.
Deer Harvest Reporting Rules
Every hunter, including many people exempt from purchasing licenses, must log a harvested deer before moving it from the point of harvest. The harvest must then be reported within 24 hours or before final processing, transfer to a processor or taxidermist, or removal from Florida—whichever occurs first.
Hunters may report through:
- The Fish|Hunt Florida mobile app
- The Florida online licensing system
- The FWC telephone reporting system
Evidence of sex, including the head and antlers when applicable, must remain with the deer while it is in the field, at camp or being transported to a processor, taxidermist or permanent residence.
FAQs
Does Florida have a deer hunting season?
Yes. Florida offers archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general gun deer seasons. Dates vary across Zones A, B, C and D, beginning as early as August and continuing through late February.
When does gun season start for deer in Florida?
General gun season begins September 19 in Zone A, November 7 in Zone C, November 26 in Zone D and December 5 in Zone B. Zone A and Zone D have split general gun periods.
Can you hunt antlerless deer throughout Florida’s gun season?
Not in every zone. Antlerless hunting dates vary substantially by zone and DMU. Zone D allows antlerless harvest throughout its listed deer seasons, while Zones A, B and C have more restricted dates.
How many deer can you harvest in Florida?
The statewide annual bag limit is five deer. Normally, only two may be antlerless, although hunters in DMU D2 may take up to three antlerless deer within the five-deer annual limit.
Is a quota permit required to hunt deer in Florida?
A quota permit is not generally required for ordinary private-land hunting. However, it may be required for designated hunts on certain Wildlife Management Areas. Hunters must review the brochure for their chosen public hunting area.
