Hunting in Florida: 7 Animals To Hunt in the Spring

Florida’s varied landscape and climate means there are also varied hunting dates throughout the state. The state has four wildlife management zones, which are controlled and regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and also have different regulations. You should always check the state’s website for exact hunting seasons as they change from year to year and zone to zone.

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If you are interested in spring hunting in Florida, here’s some critters you can legally bag in the spring.

1. Turkey
Spring turkey season usually begins in early March, depending on your county. There is also a youth season to hunt turkey, which takes place in March. The bag limit during this season is two turkeys for all counties except Holmes, where a one turkey limit applies. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, and pistols may take gobblers and bearded-only turkeys during the spring season.

2. Rabbit
Rabbit is considered a year-round game animal for hunting in Florida. Statewide all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols, may take the animal. There is a limit of 12 rabbit daily and a possession limit of 24 rabbit.

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3. Wild Hog
Wild hog is another hunted year-round in Florida, but has no bag limit. Hogs can be trapped or shot and a hunting license is not required to take a hog. Hogs are not native to Florida and are considered an invasive species. Movement of a live (trapped) hog is also illegal without a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture.

4. Small Game
Small game animals, which include raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, and skunk, are also part of Florida’s year round hunting season. Raccoons and opossum may be hunted at night with the use of .22-caliber rimfire rifles or single-shot .410 gauge shotguns. The use of flashing lights to hunt animals is prohibited. There is no limit on any of these small game species in the state of Florida.

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

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