North Florida Gator Hunt

Big Game

Florida’s most common big game species are White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, as well as Alligator.

Florida also designates wild Hog (feral swine) as a huntable large animal, though hogs are non-native and not classified as game wildlife.

Deer: Florida deer hunting is available to anyone with a valid hunting license and a deer permit – there is no general tag lottery for deer. Bag and possession limits apply. Also all harvested deer must be reported.

Turkey: To hunt wild turkey in Florida, a hunter needs a hunting license and a Turkey Permit (available OTC), all harvest must also be reported.

Alligator: Alligator hunting in Florida is strictly controlled by a limited-entry tag system. To harvest an alligator, hunters (resident or non-resident) must apply for Statewide Alligator Harvest Permits during the annual application period (usually in May). If drawn, the hunter purchases the alligator trapping license/tag. Each alligator permit allows the take of two alligators in a specified area and timeframe. All harvested animals must be immediately tagged and reported.

Hogs: on private property with landowner permission, wild hogs may be hunted year-round day or night without restriction (i.e., by all lawful methods with no bag/possession limits, no size limits and no licenses/permits required).

Small Game

To hunt small game in Florida (doves, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, quail, non-migratory birds, etc.), an individual needs a standard hunting license – there is no separate “small game license.”

Migratory Birds (duck, dove, woodcock, snipe): Florida requires a free Migratory Bird Permit (HIP permit) for anyone hunting migratory game birds together with the state Florida Waterfowl Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp for waterfowl hunters.

Squirrels and rabbits are common small game and the hunting license alone covers these; there are seasons and bag limits.

Furbearers like raccoon, opossum, coyote, nutria can be hunted year-round with just a hunting license. However, to trap furbearers or sell pelts, one would need a Trapping License.

Documents needed

• Base Hunting license
• Species permit
• Hunter Safety Card
• Archery/Muzzleloader Permits for according seasons
• Federal Duck Stamp, Florida state waterfowl permit and the free Migratory HIP
• Other: Florida has various permits for specialized activities like alligator trapping, migratory bird preserve license (for private hunting preserves), etc., but those are beyond general hunting scope.

Minimum Hunter Age

License Age Requirements: In Florida, youth under 16 years old may hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult. At age 16 and 17, a person needs a license and must either have completed Hunter Safety or be hunting under the deferral (with adult mentor)

More information

• myfwc.com - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission