Florida

Sub-species: Eastern, Osceola 

Tags: Over the Counter + Draw on select WMAs

Application Period: (WMA and National Refuge Quota Hunts) Nov. 1 – Nov 30, may vary depending on area

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes, if born after June 1, 1975

Limit: 2 bearded turkeys and gobblers (may vary in certain counties and WMAs)

2026 Season Dates: March 7 – April 12 South Zone, March 21 – April 26 North Zone

*Hunters who are not residents of Florida cannot hunt wild turkey during the first nine days of the zonal spring turkey season at Big Cypress (on the non-quota units only), Herky Huffman/Bull Creek, Jumper Creek, Three Lakes, and J.W. Corbett.

Special Youth Hunt: Feb 22 – 23 (South Zone), March 8-9 (North Zone)

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: A rule that requires reporting of harvested wild turkeys goes into effect Fall 2022.  All harvests should be reported through gooutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-486-8356 within 24 hours.  Turkeys may be dismembered in field or camp, however, tags must be attached to each portion identifying names, addresses, FWC issued customer number of the persons who harvested them with date and location at which they were taken. These tags must be readily traceable to the portion of the animal bearing sex identification, head and, if applicable, beard.

Noteworthy Restrictions:

Starting with the 2026 spring turkey season, hunters who are not residents of Florida cannot hunt wild turkey during the first nine days of the zonal spring turkey season at Big Cypress (on the non-quota units only), Herky Huffman/Bull Creek, Jumper Creek, Three Lakes, and J.W. Corbett. Nonresident turkey hunters must also purchase a nonresident annual hunting license. A 10-day nonresident hunting license cannot be used during the spring turkey season. Everyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course before purchasing a Florida hunting license that enables them to hunt without adult supervision. 

On some WMAs, spring turkey shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.  Shooting from vehicles, powerboats, and sailboats moving under power is prohibited.  Must be over 100 yards from a feeding station.  

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

850-488-6251

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys