 Hearing the springtime chorus of birds at daybreak is one of
many things that makes turkey hunting so special. But there's no sound that
will make the heart race as fast and no conversation that's listened to more
intently than the gobble of the wild turkey.
Spring
turkey season south of S.R. 70 runs March 3 through April 8. In the rest of the
state, it runs March 17 through April 22. Planning to go? Get your license and permits.
Following are the tools and information you need to help plan your season.
Photo courtesy of Jim Turlington
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The Sunshine State is home to two wild turkey
subspecies. The only place in the world the Osceola subspecies lives is the Florida
peninsula while the eastern wild turkey subspecies is found in north Florida
and throughout the eastern U.S. Both populations are flourishing in Florida, a
testament to FWC’s science-based management efforts.
Wondering where wild turkeys occur in
Florida? Check out this interactive wild turkey map for
estimates on their distribution across the state.
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We
offer 43 public hunting
areas statewide where you can “walk on” to hunt spring
turkeys. We provide that information as well as what license and permits are
required and a map showing wild turkey population densities in Florida.
Photo courtesy of FWC's Chad Weber
 The Youth Spring Turkey
Hunt Weekends are Feb. 24-25 south of State Road 70 and March 10-11 north
of State Road 70. These Saturday-Sunday hunts are held the weekend prior to the
opening of spring turkey season on private property and many wildlife
management areas (WMAs). Of the 81 WMAs hosting a youth spring turkey hunt, 26 of them do not require a quota permit.
Photo courtesy of Gary Jenson
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Turkey
hunters recognize that understanding wild turkey behavior, good calling, and an
effective shotgun pattern are all keys to success. Did you know that practicing
safe turkey hunting strategies also can put you in the best position to take a
gobbler? These tips will ensure turkey hunting
remains a safe activity while setting you up for success.
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This spring,
Holmes County hunters can enjoy their first full-length spring
turkey season in 20 years
– a result of a successful wild turkey restoration project and partnership
between the FWC, National Wild Turkey Federation and local landowners. Wild turkeys had
virtually disappeared in Holmes County in the mid-1990s. With help from the
NWTF, a turkey trapping and restocking program was initiated during the winters
of 1998-99 and 1999-2000. By 2006, habitat
improvements and other restoration efforts had paid off and turkey hunting in
Holmes County was reopened with a limited 3-day spring season. Over the past
decade, spring turkey season in Holmes County has been extended incrementally,
and today, hunting success in Holmes County is as good or better than that in
surrounding counties.
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The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
recently announced a deer in that state tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD has not been found in
Florida. The FWC takes CWD very seriously and is taking
an aggressive approach to prevent it from entering Florida. To guard against importing CWD from other states, it’s illegal to
bring into Florida the whole carcass of any deer, elk or moose from 25 states (including Mississippi now)
and two Canadian provinces where CWD has been
detected. Importing live deer, elk and moose from any
state is prohibited.
In
addition, the FWC has been monitoring deer for CWD since 2002. If you see a deer that seems sick, abnormally thin or dead
from unknown causes, call the toll-free CWD hotline, which is available seven days a week, at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) to report the animal's location.
CWD
is a fatal, infectious neurological disease of white-tailed deer, mule deer,
elk, and moose that is extremely difficult to
control once it becomes established in a natural population. Learn more including where
CWD has been detected and what hunters can legally bring back from CWD-affected
states.
Hunting season opportunities in
February/March
Spring turkey season
- South of S.R. 70 - March 3 through April 8.
- North of S.R. 70 - March 17 through April 22.
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends
- South of S.R. 70 - Feb. 24-25
- North of S.R. 70 - March 10-11
Zone D
late muzzleloader season runs Feb. 19-25
Gray squirrel season runs through March 4
Quail season runs through March 4
For more season dates information, see:
2017-2018 Florida hunting season dates and bag limits
Final rule changes related to hunting and to
FWC-managed areas
At its February meeting, the Commission
approved rule changes related to hunting and FWC-managed areas around the
state. Most of the rule changes expand or enhance hunting opportunities based
on hunter preference and sound science to ensure sustainability.
Events
Tallahassee Ducks Unlimited
Greenwings Event
Traditional Bowhunters of Florida
State Championship
Youth Hunter Education Challenge
The Florida Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is a program for hunter
safety course graduates to learn more about leadership, ethics and safety while
expanding their knowledge about conservation, target shooting and hunting.
Check out the following events:
Archery
and hunter responsibility classes
- When: Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Tenoroc Public Gun Range, 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd., Lakeland
- For more information: Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com
.22 rifle, shotgun, skills trail classes
- When: Sunday, March 25 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
- Where: Tenoroc Public Gun Range, 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd., Lakeland
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For more information: Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com
Sign up for a hunter
safety course
Hunter safety courses cover firearms safety, wildlife conservation, responsible hunting
and more. Students can attend a no-cost traditional classroom course. Or they
can complete the classroom portion online. FWC’s website offers several online
courses including a FREE option. After the online classroom portion is
complete, students must sign up and attend a skills day.
Bookmark these links
to find information fast!
Get your hunting license and permits
2017-2018 Florida Hunting Regulations
New hunter information
Find a FWC-Managed Shooting Range
Conservation Organizations
There are several organizations
in Florida working diligently on behalf of conservation and creating
opportunities for others to experience hunting. Learn more about how you can
get involved in Florida!
National
Wild Turkey Federation events in Florida
Ducks Unlimited Events in Florida
Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association
The Future of Hunting in Florida
United Waterfowlers-Florida
Quality Deer Management Association in Florida
Quail Forever in Florida
Safari Club International in
Florida
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