Hunting in Florida: 6 Animals Designated Nongame, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected Species

Florida offers a wide variety of game species for hunting in its vast landscape of marsh and grasslands. But there are also a number of protected species hunters may encounter in the field. It’s crucial to stay in compliance with state law if you plan to continue hunting in Florida.

Here are some species designated as endangered, threatened or protected, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

1. Gray Wolf

The gray wolf is not a game species in Florida, as the Endangered Species Act protects it federally. Hunting a wolf in Florida can lead to jail and/or fines.

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2. Big Cypress Fox Squirrel

This squirrel species is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. They are typically found in the southwestern tip of Peninsular Florida, Collier County, mainland northern Monroe County, and extreme western Miami-Dade County.

3. Key Deer

This federally designated endangered mammal can be found from Big Pine Key to Sugarloaf Key. Overhunting of the deer in the 1950s led to its endangered status.

4. Florida Panther

The Florida panther is not an option for hunting in Florida. By the mid-1980s, the animal had been hunted to near extinction, leading to its protected status. Today they can be found dispersed in the south and parts of central Florida, although male panthers have been documented as far north as central Georgia.

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5. Everglades Mink

Florida protects this mink from hunting, as this member of the weasel family struggles for survival. Changes in land development and water levels, accompanied by construction development, have led to its endangered status. Typically this mink can be found in southern Florida, particularly in the shallow fresh water marshes of the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp region.

6. American Crocodile

The American Crocodile was vastly hunted in the early parts of the 20th century, leading to its protected status. Crocodiles are still victim to illegal hunts in Florida. The reptiles also face issues with natural predators, such as raccoon, attacking their nests and eating their eggs.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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