Florida Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 14 – March 7, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Official License Fees (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

• Resident:
  • Annual Hunting License (Ages 16–64): $17.00
  • Combination Hunting & Freshwater Fishing License: $32.50
  • Combination Hunting, Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing License: $48.00
  • Sportsman’s License (Includes WMA, Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Archery, and Muzzleloading permits): $80.50
  • Gold Sportsman’s License: $100.00
  • Management Area Permit (Required for WMA hunting): $26.50
  • Florida Migratory Bird Permit: Free (HIP registration required)
• Non-Resident:
  • Annual Hunting License: $151.50
  • 10-Day Hunting License: $46.50
  • Management Area Permit (Required for WMA hunting): $26.50
  • Florida Migratory Bird Permit: Free (HIP registration required)

Season Dates, Daily Bag Limits & Possession Limits

Northern Bobwhite Quail

• Statewide:
  • Season Dates: November 14 – March 7
  • Limits: 12 daily / 24 in possession

American Woodcock

• Statewide:
  • Season Dates: December 18 – January 31
  • Limits: 3 daily / 9 in possession (Florida Migratory Bird Permit & HIP registration required)

Wilson’s Snipe

• Statewide:
  • Season Dates: November 1 – February 15
  • Limits: 8 daily / 24 in possession (Florida Migratory Bird Permit & HIP registration required)

Mourning & White-Winged Dove

• Statewide:
  • Season Dates: Split Season (September 26 – October 18; November 14 – December 6; December 19 – January 31)
  • Limits: 15 daily in aggregate / 45 in possession

Rails & Gallinules (King, Clapper, Sora, Virginia, Gallinule)

• Statewide:
  • Season Dates: September 1 – November 9
  • Limits: 15 daily (King & Clapper aggregate); 25 daily (Sora & Virginia aggregate); 15 daily (Gallinules) / Possession limit is 3 times daily limit

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

Official field evaluations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicate that Florida experienced a mild winter followed by fluctuating hydrologic conditions across both the Panhandle and Peninsula. While favorable winter conditions promoted high overwinter survival for resident wild Northern Bobwhite quail, early-summer tropical rainfall events caused localized water level rises in low-lying flatwoods and prairie basins. These localized heavy rains impacted late-nesting attempts in poorly drained soils. However, high-elevation longleaf pine wiregrass savannas—particularly in the Red Hills region of North Florida and actively prescribed-burned tracts in the Panhandle—saw excellent early-season brood survival and strong insect production. Consequently, quail hunting prospects will be highly cover-dependent, with managed longleaf pine ecosystems and public Wildlife Management Areas (such as Apalachicola and Jennings Forest WMAs) offering the best wild bird densities. Migratory hunters targeting woodcock, snipe, and dove will find solid action around agricultural margins, managed dove fields, and moist flatwood edges as seasonal water drawdown occurs in late autumn.

For the latest information, visit the FWC website or contact them at 850-488-5878.