Dove Permits
Important Update
We are unable to plant crops in the dove field at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County for the 2025-2026 hunting season. However, we remain committed to offering public hunting opportunities on the area. Although the field will be left fallow for the 2025-26 season, we will mow strips in it periodically to promote foraging opportunities for doves on naturally occurring seeds. We originally planned to issue quota permits for dove field hunts using a random online drawing; however, the quota permit requirement for the dove field will be removed and dove hunting will be allowed on Saturdays during the statewide mourning and white-winged dove season (a quota permit would still be required if hunting during any quota period). We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
A Dove Permit is a type of limited entry permit that is required for a hunter to participate in scheduled dove hunts at Caravelle Ranch, Frog Pond, Hilochee and Punta Gorda wildlife management areas. Additional information about dove hunting can be found on the Dove Hunting Page.
Dove Application Worksheet and Choices
Cost: $0.00 to apply, $0.00 per permit.
Requirements to Apply: Applicants must be 16 years of age or older by a hunt date to apply. Unless exempt, applicants must have a valid management area permit to apply.
Exemptions: There are no exemptions for these permits.
Group Applications: Group applications are accepted in phase I, with up to five hunters total.
Preference Points: There are no preference points for these permits.
Transferability: Dove permits are transferable from one person to another by simply giving the permit to another hunter.
How to Apply: Applicants can apply online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com (sign on and choose “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permit”) or by completing an Application Worksheet and presenting it to any license agent or tax collector's office. Each applicant may make up to five choices on an application in Phase I, and one choice per application in Phase II Leftovers.
Application and Permit Issuance: Applicants may submit one application and receive up to one permit in Phase I. In the Phase II Leftovers period, applicants can be awarded up to five permits cumulatively. Permits are issued by random drawing during Phase I and issued on a first-come, first-served basis in Phase II Leftovers.
Drawing Results: Drawing results are typically posted within three business days after the application period ends.
How to Get the Permit: Successful applicants will have their permit(s) mailed to the address on file. Available permits in Phase II Leftovers may also be obtained and printed at a license agent or tax collector's office.
Guests: Guest permits are not available for this permit type; however, permit holders age 18 and older may take a youth guest hunter (age 15 or under) to also participate in the hunt. Both the permit holder and youth hunter may take their own limit of doves.
Reprints: Permits can only be reprinted by the FWC Office of Licensing and Permitting, upon written request from the permit holder. Please allow at least 10 days to receive the replacement permit in the mail. Receipts, temporary license numbers, and printed copies of Internet pages may not be used as your permit.
Returned Permits: Dove permits cannot be returned.
License Requirements to hunt Dove in Florida: Unless exempt, those hunting dove on public lands must possess a valid Florida Hunting License and Management Area Permit. A Migratory Bird Permit is also required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for all persons hunting any type of migratory birds in Florida.
Reporting Requirements: Hunters should check the WMA Brochure for any check station requirements for their hunt. Public lands hunters may receive a survey after the season concludes to assist the FWC in gathering valuable insight and data.