Special Opportunity Spring Turkey Hunt Permit

General Information

A Special Opportunity Spring Turkey Hunt Permit is a type of limited entry permit that is required in order to participate in some spring turkey hunts on select Management Areas .   Click the Application Worksheet link at the bottom of the page for specific Management Areas and dates.

These special opportunity hunts make available large areas with lots of game and low hunter quotas and provide excellent opportunities to bag trophy turkeys.  Hunters looking for a truly “special” hunt with a high chance of seeing and bagging game should look no further.

• Cost: $5 to apply, permit fees range from $50 - $175. You may submit as many $5 applications as you like.
• Requirements: There is a non-refundable $5 application fee for each application submitted. You cannot be considered for a special-opportunity spring turkey permit if you miss the Phase I application period.
• Issuance Method: Special Opportunity Spring Turkey permits are issued by random drawing during Phases I. Once the drawing is conducted, successful applicants must purchase their permits by the specified deadline.  Permits not purchased by the deadline (See Application Dates & Deadlines below) will be forfeited and offered to the next applicant in line in the random drawing.
• Exemptions: There are no exemptions to the $5 application fee.  If you have a lifetime hunting or lifetime sportsman license issued prior to July 1, 1998 and are successful in the random drawing you will be exempt from the permit fee.
• Restrictions: You may apply for as many different hunts, or as many times for the same hunt, as you like.  You must submit a $5 NON-REFUNDABLE fee for each application submitted.  You are limited to one permit per hunt.  Non-Residents will be limited to 10% of the available permits for each hunt.  There will be one permit per hunt available to non-residents if 10% of the permits is less than one. Successful applicants must purchase their permit by the deadline, or it will be forfeited and sold to the next person waiting in line.
• Groups: Group applications are not allowed for this permit type.  Each permit allows the permit holder and one guest to participate in the hunt (provided that the guest shall not occupy a vehicle separate from the permit holder, shall not possess a gun, and shall be within 25 feet or less of the permit holder).  
• Preference Points: There are no preference points for this permit type.
• Transferability: Special-Opportunity Spring Turkey permits are transferable from one hunter to another by simply giving the permit to another hunter.  No-Cost permits are only transferable to another person that is exempt from paying special opportunity permit fees (has a lifetime hunting or lifetime sportsman license issued prior to July 1, 1998).
• Guest Permits: Guest permits are not available for this permit type.  Each permit allows the permit holder and one guest to participate in the hunt (provided that the guest shall not occupy a vehicle separate from the permit holder, shall not possess a gun, and shall be within 25 feet or less of the permit holder).  
• Drawing Results:  Drawing results are typically posted within about two weeks after the end of the Application period.
• Reprints: Because these permits are transferable they can only be replaced by the FWC Office of Licensing and Permitting upon written request by the permit holder.  You will need to allow at least 10 days to receive the replacement permit.  Receipts and copies of the Internet pages may not be used as a Special Opportunity Permit.
• How to Apply: You can apply online  (sign on and choose “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permit”) or complete the Application Worksheet (click "Application Worksheet" at bottom of page) and present it to any license agent or tax collector office . Resident children and residents who do not hold a Florida drivers license or Florida ID should not use the online system, and should apply at a license agent or tax collector and show another proof of residency.  
• How to Get Your Permit: If successful in the Phase I random drawings, you can pay your permit fee online  and the permit will be mailed to you or you can pay the permit fee at a license agent or tax collector office and the clerk will print your permit and hand it to you. Permits not purchased by the deadline (See Application Dates & Deadlines below) will be forfeited and offered to the next applicant in line in the random drawing.

Application Dates

Application Form and Hunt Choices

• Special Opp Spring Turkey Hunt application worksheet AND Hunt Choices list
  Includes specific hunt units and dates.

• You can also Apply Online