Florida deer hunting: 2026-27 zones, WMAs and harvest by DMU
FWC's harvest survey estimates about 132,320 hunters took 92,496 deer in Florida in the 2023-24 season. Florida's 2026-27 deer seasons are set by hunting zone, A to D. Archery opens August 1 in Zone A, September 19 in Zone C, October 17 in Zone B and October 24 in Zone D (FWC 2026-27 deer seasons and bag limits). Wildlife management areas set their own dates on FWC's brochure for each area.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons: FWC's 2026-27 deer and turkey seasons. Harvest: FWC's statewide deer harvest survey to 2023-24.
WMAs with a page
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When is deer season in each Florida zone?
| Zone | Archery | Crossbow | Muzzleloading gun | General gun | Youth weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Aug. 1-30 | Aug. 1-Sept. 4 | Sept. 5-18 | Sept. 19-Oct. 18, Nov. 21-Jan. 3 | Sept. 12-13 |
| Zone B | Oct. 17-Nov. 15 | Oct. 17-Nov. 20 | Nov. 21-Dec. 4 | Dec. 5-Feb. 21 | Nov. 28-29 |
| Zone C | Sept. 19-Oct. 18 | Sept. 19-Oct. 23 | Oct. 24-Nov. 6 | Nov. 7-Jan. 24 | Oct. 31-Nov. 1 |
| Zone D | Oct. 24-Nov. 25 | Oct. 24-Nov. 25, Nov. 30-Dec. 4 | Dec. 5-11, Feb. 22-28 | Nov. 26-29, Dec. 12-Feb. 21 | Dec. 5-6 |
Private land seasons. Source: FWC 2026-27 deer seasons and bag limits. WMAs set their own dates.
How many deer can you take in Florida?
FWC's statewide deer limits are 2 a day, 4 in possession and 5 a year, of which only 2 may be antlerless (3 of the 5 in DMU D2). Antler point rules for antlered deer differ by deer management unit. These seasons and limits are for private land: wildlife management areas set their own, on each area's brochure. Every deer and turkey must be reported through FWC's harvest reporting.
When is turkey season in Florida?
Florida's spring turkey season runs March 20 to April 25, 2027 north of State Road 70, after a youth hunt March 12-15, and March 6 to April 11 south of State Road 70, after a youth hunt February 26 to March 1. Fall turkey seasons follow the deer zones. The daily limit is 2 gobblers or bearded turkeys. WMAs set their own turkey dates (FWC 2026-27 turkey seasons and bag limits).
Source: FWC 2026-27 turkey seasons and bag limits.
Which Florida DMUs have the most deer harvested?
DMU D2 (19,321), DMU D1 (18,958), DMU C3 (14,293) and DMU C6 (8,975) had the highest estimates in 2023-24. See every unit.
What do you need to hunt a Florida WMA?
FWC requires a hunting license and a management area permit to hunt a WMA, unless you are exempt, plus deer and turkey permits as FWC requires and any quota permit the area lists for a season. WMA seasons, bag limits and rules differ from area to area and often from statewide rules; each area's brochure is the rulebook. Every deer and turkey must be reported through FWC's harvest reporting.
Source: FWC WMA regulations summaries and maps, 2026-27.
Where can you hunt public land in Florida?
147 FWC areas have a page here, each with its 2026-27 seasons, quota permits and map. The largest are Big Cypress WMA (713,154 acres), Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA (669,541 acres), Apalachicola WMA (586,071 acres) and Ocala WMA (382,735 acres). See every WMA.
Questions hunters ask
When does deer season open in Florida in 2026?
On private land, archery opens August 1 in Zone A, September 19 in Zone C, October 17 in Zone B and October 24 in Zone D. General gun opens September 19 in Zone A, November 7 in Zone C, November 26 in Zone D and December 5 in Zone B. WMAs set their own dates on FWC's brochure for each area.
How many deer can you kill in Florida?
Two a day, four in possession and five a year, of which only two may be antlerless (three in DMU D2), by FWC's statewide limits. WMAs and antlerless deer permits can set other limits.
Do you need a quota permit to hunt a Florida WMA?
On many areas, yes, for some seasons. Each WMA page here says which seasons need one, from FWC's brochure for the area; quota permits are drawn through FWC's application periods. Every WMA also needs a management area permit unless you are exempt.
Can you hunt deer with dogs in Florida?
On private land FWC regulates hunting deer with dogs through its deer dog registration rules. On WMAs, only where the area's brochure lists a dog season or dog hunt area; each WMA page here gives the area's dog rules.
Where do the Florida harvest numbers come from?
From FWC's annual statewide Deer Harvest Survey, which estimates bucks and does taken in each deer management unit and on public and private land. FWC's per-WMA harvest reports are an interactive tool on its website and are not yet on these pages.
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Where these numbers come from
- Seasons and limits: FWC 2026-27 deer seasons and bag limits; FWC 2026-27 turkey seasons and bag limits; FWC WMA regulations summaries and maps, 2026-27.
- Harvest: FWC statewide deer harvest reports. Maps: FWC Wildlife Management Areas Florida (open data); FWC White-tailed Deer Management Unit Areas.
FilledTag is not part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC's hunting pages are the final word on every rule.