Central Florida has ample game, tons of land, and a great climate, making it a popular destination for hunters. In fact, there are hundreds of ideal hunting properties for sale in Central Florida right now. If you’re a landowner in Central Florida, it’s important to know all about Florida’s hunting regulations, especially if you’re going to allow others to hunt on your property.
At Palmetto Realty, we help clients purchase hunting land every day, so we have become quite familiar with Florida regulations. Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know:
Licenses And Permits Are Required In Most Cases
In order to hunt in Florida, you’ll likely need to obtain the right set of licenses and permits; however, some exceptions do apply. A general hunting license is the base requirement for all activities, and anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course before obtaining a license. Hunters under 16 may hunt without a license as long as they are supervised by an adult.
Most licenses and permits can be obtained online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA. Here is a quick list of what you’ll need:
- General Hunting License (base requirement)
- Deer Permit
- Turkey Permit
- Migratory Bird Permit
- Waterfowl Permit & Federal Duck Stamp (also required in addition to Migratory Bird Permit when hunting ducks and geese.)
- Crossbow Permit
- Muzzleloading Gun Season
- Management Area Permit
- Limited Entry Permit
You May Be Able To Hunt On Your Own Land Without A License
The majority of hunters are required to have a license and all necessary permits, but there are some exceptions. If you’re hunting in your county of residence on your own homestead, or if your kids are hunting on your property with supervision, then licenses and permits are not required.
Florida residents age 65 and older with a valid Florida ID card or a Florida Resident 65+ Hunting and Fishing card do not need a hunting license, nor do they need a furbearer trapping license. Children under the age of 16 are also exempt, as well as any Florida residents in the U.S. Armed Services, not stationed in Florida, but are home on leave with orders 30 days or less.
Certain Weapons Are Prohibited When Hunting
In Florida, only rifles, shotguns, pistols, certain types of air guns, longbows, compound bows, recurve bows, and crossbows may be used for hunting.
Fully automatic firearms, full metal case ammunition, explosive arrows, certain types of air guns, and centerfire semi-automatic rifles with magazine capacities of more than five rounds are some of the weapons that are prohibited. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Before hunting or allowing hunters on your land, it’s important to read the entire list of prohibited weapons and methods for taking animals.
Volusia County and most of Central Florida is located in Hunting Zone C, which means regulations and seasonal dates may be slightly different than in Southern Florida and the panhandle. In order to make the most of your hunting experience, always be sure you and everyone on your land is compliant with Florida law.
Interested in purchasing your own hunting land? Contact us at Palmetto Realty. We’re a Central Florida real estate broker specializing in land transactions, and we’d be happy to help you find the right property today.