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Hunting Preserves

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in Florida. If you see a sick or abnormally thin deer or deer dead of unknown causes, please report its location to the CWD hotline: (866) CWD-WATCH (293-9282).

An Executive Order has been issued, which contains additional information affecting captive game farms, hunt preserves, and rehabilitators.

For additional information regarding CWD and the CWD event in Florida, visit our CWD page.

Any person who wishes to operate a private or commercial hunting preserve must first obtain a hunting preserve license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A Permit to Operate a Hunting Preserve (HPL or BHP) is required to release game animals on private property for hunting purposes. Applicants must submit application online through Go Outdoors Florida (GOF).

Costs

The annual cost of the license is $70. All hunting patrons must have a Florida hunting license as required by Section 379.354, Florida Statutes. A commercial hunting preserve license, which exempts patrons from the hunting license requirements, may be purchased for $500.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a commercial hunting preserve license (Blanket Hunting Preserve or "BHP"), a preserve must be operated exclusively for commercial purposes, be open to the public, and charge a uniform fee to patrons for hunting privileges. 

License exemptions for patrons

Customers or patrons (residents and non-residents) hunting on a hunting preserve with a Blanket Hunt Preserve License are exempt from individual license requirements of a Hunting License; Deer Permit; Florida Waterfowl Permit; Archery Season Permit; Crossbow Season Permit; Muzzleloading Gun Season Permit; and/or Turkey Permit.

Regulations

Rule 68A-12.010, Florida Administrative Code, Regulations Governing the Operation of Private Hunting Preserves, can be found online. You can also visit our Rules and Regulations page for additional regulations pertaining to hunting preserves.

Facility Requirements for Game Animals

(8) Facility requirements:

(a) Cervidae (deer family) shall be free-roaming on not less than 200 acres, with a minimum of 100 acres covered with woody vegetation. For each additional acre over the initial 200 acres, 10% of the additional acreage shall be covered with woody vegetation. Up to 20% of acreage can include land that formerly had woody vegetation, which will be naturally or artificially regenerated within two years of harvest. The hunting of Cervidae with dogs is prohibited; however, a leashed dog shall be allowed for trailing. The preserve shall be completely enclosed with a perimeter fence which meets the following criteria:

  1. Fence construction materials shall consist of not less than 12.5-gauge high-tensile class III galvanized steel wire with fixed knots or strength-equivalent material, and shall be attached to posts at no less than 5 equidistant locations with clips, staples, ties or other means used to connect fencing to posts that are a minimum of 14.5 gauge or strength equivalent material.
  2. Fence shall be no less than 8 feet in height unless specified elsewhere. Fences may be installed up to 3 inches above the ground, provided that a strand of high-tensile barbed wire not less than 15.5 gauge is strung across the bottom. In addition, 1 strand of high-tensile barbed wire not less than 15.5 gauge may be strung no greater than 6 inches above the fence panel in order to achieve the 8-foot height requirements. Licensees shall maintain minimum fence height by leveling built up earthen material which has migrated to the base of the fence due to natural causes.
  3. Fence(s) shall be constructed of single panels of fencing material. Such fencing material shall be attached to singular construction posts no greater than 25 feet apart in a manner that ensures the fence maintains an above ground 8-foot vertical height, unless specified elsewhere, so as to prevent escape. The posts will be securely anchored and braced in corners and elsewhere as necessary to keep fence properly stretched and erect.
  4. Fencing material shall have no greater than 7 inches between manufactured knots and be free of broken wires or gaps.

(b) Bovidae (such as buffalo and antelope) shall be free-roaming on not less than 300 acres, with a minimum of 200 acres covered with herbaceous vegetation, except blackbuck which shall be free roaming on not less than 200 acres, with a minimum of 100 acres covered with herbaceous vegetation. For each additional acre over the initial 300/200 acres, 10% of the additional acreage shall be covered with herbaceous vegetation. The hunting of Bovidae with dogs is prohibited; however, a leashed dog shall be allowed for trailing. The preserve shall be completely enclosed with a perimeter fence which meets the requirements of subparagraphs 68A-12.010(8)(a)1.-4., above. Fencing for Class I Bovidae shall meet the requirements of subsection 68A-6.011(3), F.A.C.

(c) Suidae (hog) shall be free-roaming on not less than 100 acres, with a minimum of 50 acres covered with woody vegetation. For hunting hogs with dogs the area shall be a minimum of 300 acres, with 200 acres covered with woody vegetation. For each additional acre over the initial 100 acres, 10% of the additional acreage shall be covered with woody vegetation. Up to 20% of acreage can include land that formerly had woody vegetation, which will be naturally or artificially regenerated within two years of harvest. The preserve shall be completely enclosed with a perimeter fence that meets the following criteria:

  1. Fence construction materials shall consist of not less than 12.5-gauge high-tensile class III galvanized steel wire with fixed knots or strength-equivalent material, and shall be attached to posts at no less than 3 equidistant locations with clips, staples, ties or other means used to connect fencing to posts that are a minimum of 14.5 gauge or strength equivalent material.
  2. Fence shall be no less than 4 feet in height.
  3. Fence(s) shall be constructed of single panels of fencing material. Such fencing material shall be attached to singular construction posts in a manner that ensures the fence maintains a 4-foot vertical height and prevents escape. The posts will be securely anchored and braced in corners and elsewhere to keep fence properly stretched and erect.
  4. Fencing material shall have no greater than 7 inches between manufactured knots and be free of broken wires or gaps.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Captive Wildlife Office.

Phone: (850) 488-6253
Email: CWApps@myFWC.com
Mail: Captive Wildlife Office, 620 S Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399