Florida Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Florida offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail across archery, muzzleloader, and firearm methods. Seasons run from August 1, 2026 through January 24, 2027. A hunting license (annual) costs $17 for residents and $151.50 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Archery | Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 30, 2026 | Crossbow through Sept 4 | 🔔 |
| Zone A | Muzzleloader | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Zone A | Firearm | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Reopens Nov 21 – Jan 3 | 🔔 |
| Zone C | Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Crossbow through Oct 23 | 🔔 |
| Zone B | Archery | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | Crossbow through Nov 20 | 🔔 |
| Zone C | Muzzleloader | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Zone D | Archery | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Zone C | Firearm | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Zone B | Muzzleloader | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Zone D | Firearm | Nov 26, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Reopens Dec 12 – Feb 21 | 🔔 |
| Zone D | Muzzleloader | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | Reopens Feb 22–28 | 🔔 |
| Zone B | Firearm | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (annual) | $17 | $151.50 | |
| Deer Permit | $5 | $5 | |
| Resident Gold Sportsman License (all-inclusive) | $100 | — | |
| Nonresident 10-Day Hunting License | — | $46.50 |
A base hunting license plus a Deer Permit is required for deer; the Gold Sportsman License bundles all permits for residents.
Source: Florida FWC recreational hunting licenses & permits (myfwc.com)
Florida hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
Alachua AlligatorBaker AlligatorBay AlligatorBradford AlligatorBrevard AlligatorBroward AlligatorCalhoun AlligatorCharlotte AlligatorCitrus AlligatorClay AlligatorCollier AlligatorColumbia Alligator
Browse all Florida harvest data →Florida hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Florida in 2026?
- Florida's 2026 whitetail archery season opens August 1 and runs through August 30. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Florida?
- In 2026, Florida has hunting seasons for whitetail.
- How much is a Florida hunting license for nonresidents?
- A hunting license (annual) in Florida is $151.50 for nonresidents and $17 for residents.