Florida

Florida offers unique and diverse whitetail hunting opportunities, with seasons opening as early as late July in South Florida (Zone A) and extending through February in the Panhandle (Zone D).

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manages deer across vast public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Hunters utilize elevated stands overlooking cypress heads, pine flatwoods, and palmetto hammocks. Bucks in Florida have adapted to hot, humid swamp terrain, demanding extreme insect protection and scent control.

The Osceola wild turkey—found exclusively in the central and southern peninsula of Florida—is the most prized prize in turkey hunting, representing the critical fourth leg of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Grand Slam.

Osceolas feature darker body plumage, narrow white barring on primary wing feathers, and unusually long, sharp spurs. FWC allocates quota permits for premier public WMAs like Green Swamp, Dinner Island, and Three Lakes. Calling a cautious Osceola gobbler through palmetto flats and live oak hammocks requires sublime woodsmanship.

Florida's Statewide Alligator Harvest Program is one of the most famous and highly sought-after public draw hunts in the world, managing healthy populations across public lakes, marshes, and river waterways.

FWC issues quota permits through a multi-phase lottery drawing in May. Hunting occurs at night between August 15 and November 1. Teams navigate airboats and skiffs, using snatch hooks, crossbows with barbed harpoons, and spearguns to secure giant 9-to-12+ foot gators before dispatching with a bangstick.

Feral hogs roam wild across every county in Florida, flourishing in oak hammocks, cabbage palm swamps, and agricultural edges.

Hogs can be taken year-round on private lands without a hunting license or bag limit. On public WMAs, FWC hosts dedicated small game and wild hog seasons. Spot-and-stalk hunting, dog hunting, and tree stand setups over natural mast drops yield high action and excellent table fare.