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Earlier today we sent out seaon dates for antlered deer that included a general definition of antlered deer (deer with at least one antler 5 inches or more in length), which is not specific to individual deer management units. Find antler point regulations for each deer management unit by visiting Zone A, Zone B, Zone C and Zone D. Scroll down to see season dates information.
Thank you and happy holidays!
At the December 2021 meeting, the Commission approved the package of proposed rule amendments for the 2022-23 hunting seasons including many dealing with FWC-managed lands, and deer and wild turkey management. You can view a summary of the proposed rule amendments.
Proposed Rule Amendments for a New WMA
Included in the package are proposed rules to establish hunting seasons and regulations at Tate’s Hell: St. James Island Unit, a new 8,182-acre WMA in Franklin County. Also, another 1,651 acres are being added to Tate’s Hell WMA, which allows an increase in the number of quota permits offered for that area.
Proposed Rule Amendments for Wild Turkey Harvest Reporting
Also included in the package are draft rule amendments that would require reporting harvested wild turkeys. Data obtained from harvest reporting would provide valuable information about the number of wild turkeys harvested during spring and fall seasons, when wild turkeys are being harvested and from what county or wildlife management area.
If approved, this harvest reporting requirement would apply to spring and fall wild turkey seasons and would take effect beginning with the fall turkey season in 2022. Learn more about draft rule changes for wild turkey harvest reporting.
About the Rulemaking Process
Draft rule change proposals are based on requests from staff, cooperators and stakeholders. The FWC seeks input on proposed changes throughout the rulemaking process to achieve regulations based in hunter preference and sound science to ensure sustainability. Commissioners will consider the proposed rule changes for final adoption at their March 2022 meeting. If approved as final rules in March 2022, most would take effect July 1, 2022.
Provide Your Input!
We welcome your input through our online commenting tool regarding proposed rule amendments for 2022-23 hunting seasons related to hunting, management and FWC-managed lands.
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Florida is one of the top states in the nation for snipe hunting with an abundance of shallow wetlands, low pastures and open shorelines of lakes and ponds. With snipe season running through Feb. 15, there’s still plenty of time to get out and enjoy it.
Snipe hunters can show their support for conservation again this year by submitting the first primary feather from the right wing of harvested snipe along with the snipe harvest form. The feather and form can be mailed or dropped off at T.M. Goodwin, c/o Mark McBride, 3200 TM Goodwin Rd., Fellsmere, FL 32948. By doing this, you’ll be supporting an important research project to help us better understand this migratory gamebird.
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If you're looking for an opportunity to quail hunt, check out the January and February 2022 hunt dates for the FWC's quail enhancement areas. QEAs are located in specified wildlife management areas and feature land management activities that benefit bobwhites.
Find QEA hunts dates and locations and more information at MyFWC.com/Quail.
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The FWC is hosting an in-person Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop April 22-24, 2022, at the Everglades Youth Conservation Center. This weekend event provides adults 18 years of age and older an opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as fishing, camping, canoeing, target shooting, hunting and more. Attendees can enjoy a beautiful and safe environment, expert instructors, and comfortable facilities. Register today! Learn more about Becoming an Outdoors-Woman.
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Throughout the holidays, there are a variety of hunting opportunities to choose from. The following season dates are for December and January on lands outside of the wildlife management areas.
Find more information about 2021-2022 hunting season dates and bag limits.
Visit MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures to find hunting opportunities at a WMA.
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Antlered Deer (Find specific antler point regulations for Zone A).
- General Gun season runs through Jan. 2
Antlered Deer (Find specific antler point regulations for Zone B).
- General Gun season runs through Feb. 20
Antlerless Deer - deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches
- General gun season: Dec. 31 – Jan. 2
Antlered Deer (Find specific antler point regulations for Zone C)
- General Gun season runs through Jan. 23
Antlered Deer (Find specific antler point regulations for Zone D)
- General Gun season runs through Feb. 20
- Muzzleloading Gun season (2nd phase) runs Feb. 21-27
Antlerless Deer - deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches
- General gun season:
DMU D1: Jan. 1–2
DMU D2: Dec. 18–19, Jan. 1–2
- Runs through March 6 (statewide)
- Runs through March 6 (statewide)
2021-2022 Florida migratory bird hunting season dates
Note: The following dates may not apply to wildlife management areas. Visit our migratory bird hunting seasons dates webpage for more information.
If you're interested in quota permits to hunt public lands, check out these opportunities and log into GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to apply for:
Green Swamp Camping - Small Game
- Phase I Applications 12/10/2021 – 12/20/2021
- Phase II Leftovers 12/23/2021 – until filled or the final hunt date
Green Swamp Camping - Spring Turkey
- Phase I Applications 12/31/2021 – 1/10/2022
- Phase II Leftovers 1/13/2022 – until filled or the final hunt date
Quail Quota
- Phase II Applications 12/10/2021 – 12/20/2021
- Phase III Leftovers 12/23/2021 – until filled or the final hunt date
Green Swamp Camping - Fishing and Frogging
- Phase I Applications 1/28/2022 – 2/7/2022
- Phase II Leftovers 2/10/2022 – until filled or the final hunt date
Standby Opportunities Waterfowl Regular Season C
- Phase I Applications 12/17/2021 – 12/27/2021
- Phase II Leftovers 12/30/2021 – until filled or the final hunt date
Standby Opportunities Active Military and Veteran Waterfowl
- Phase I Applications 12/31/2021 – 1/10/2022
- Phase II Leftovers 1/13/2022 – until filled or the final hunt date
Returned Waterfowl and Quota Hunt Permits
Returned waterfowl and quota hunt permits may be applied for throughout the season during weekly reissue application periods. Permit availability is shown in real time, and weekly reissue applications are available for hunters between noon on Saturdays through noon on Tuesdays, with results posted at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
- Effective July 2021, all dogs not under physical restraint used for pursuing deer, wild hog, fox, or coyote must be equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking. Find more information about rules related to hunting dogs.
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All hunters (including those exempt from license and permit requirements) must (Step 1) log their harvested deer prior to moving it from the point where the hunter located the harvested deer, and (Step 2) report their harvested deer within 24 hours. Learn more about the user-friendly options for logging and reporting harvested deer.
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Importing or possessing carcasses or certain carcass parts from any species in the deer family (such as deer, elk, moose, caribou) originating from anyplace outside of Florida is prohibited. See the FWC's new video and infographic about new deer carcass imporation rules to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease or CWD spreading into Florida.
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