Recreational license, permit information and requirements

You can obtain most recreational hunting, fishing licenses and permits, including reprints, at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, tax collectors’ offices, license agents, or by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). You must have a valid Florida Driver License or Florida ID Card to obtain resident licenses or permits online or by telephone.

For purposes of hunting in Florida, a resident is defined as any person who has declared Florida as his or her only state of residence as evidenced by a valid Florida driver license or identification card with both a Florida address and a Florida residency verified by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV). If the person does not have a Florida driver license or identification card on record with HSMV, a Florida voter information card, declaration of domicile, or homestead exemption may be used as proof of Florida residency. Active duty military personnel stationed in Florida, including their spouses and dependent children residing in their households, are considered residents when purchasing hunting licenses regardless of how long they have lived in the state. Obtaining licenses and permits constitutes acceptance of all provisions therein.

Except as noted under License and Permit Exemptions, the following licenses and permits are required:

Hunting license 

Required when taking or attempting to take game or furbearing animals (by methods other than trapping).

Deer permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when taking or attempting to take deer.

Turkey permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when taking or attempting to take turkeys.

Migratory bird permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when taking or attempting to take ducks, geese, coots, common gallinules (moorhens), rails, snipes, woodcocks, mourning doves and white-winged doves.

Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp

Required, in addition to a hunting license and migratory bird permit, when taking or attempting to take ducks and geese.

Archery season permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when hunting during archery season.

Crossbow season permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when hunting during crossbow season.

Muzzleloading gun season permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when hunting during muzzleloading season.

Management area permit

Required, in addition to a hunting license, when taking or attempting to take wildlife on wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas and some public small-game hunting areas. A management area permit is also an annual pass on wildlife management areas where FWC requires a daily use fee.

Limited entry/quota permit

Required to hunt, or access for recreational purposes, some management areas during specified periods. 

Furbearer trapping license

Required of anyone, except residents aged 65 or older, to take or attempt to take fur-bearing animals with live traps, snares or other devices, and to sell the hide and/or meat regardless of method of take (gun, live traps or snares).

Note

In addition to a hunting license, management area permit and any other related permits, additional permits or tags may be required for all or parts of a season when hunting on a wildlife management area. These requirements vary by area. For specific details on permit requirements and exemptions, consult the WMA brochure for each area you wish to hunt. Search for WMA regulations brochures using WMA Finder.