Florida · License · 2026 Edition
Florida Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $17 for residents and $151.50 for nonresidents.
Florida's Deer, Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloading Gun and Florida Waterfowl permits are all flat-fee add-ons that cost the same for residents and nonresidents — only the base hunting license and the Turkey Permit carry a residency premium. The Sportsman's and Gold Sportsman's Licenses bundle most of these permits with hunting and fishing for one price.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Resident Hunting License | $17 | |
| Five-Year Resident Hunting License | $79 | |
| Resident Hunting / Freshwater Fishing Combination | $32.50 | |
| Resident Sportsman's License | $80.50 | Bundles hunting, freshwater fishing, and the Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits. |
| Resident Silver Sportsman's License (64+) | $13.50 | Same bundle as the Sportsman's License, discounted for residents 64 and older. |
| Resident Gold Sportsman's License | $100 | Adds saltwater fishing plus snook and lobster permits to the Sportsman's bundle. |
| Resident Youth Hunting License | $17 | Ages 8-15 who have completed hunter safety education; valid until the recipient's 17th birthday. |
| Annual Nonresident Hunting License | $151.50 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Permit | $5 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Deer Permit (5-year, residents only) | $25 | |
| Archery Season Permit | $5 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Crossbow Season Permit | $5 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Muzzleloading Gun Season Permit | $5 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permit | $26.50 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Required to hunt on WMAs in addition to the hunting license. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Permit | $10 | |
| Turkey Permit (5-year, residents only) | $50 | |
| Nonresident Turkey Permit | $125 | Requires an annual (not 5-year) nonresident hunting license. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Migratory Bird Permit | Free | Free. Same for residents and nonresidents. Valid Sept 1 – Mar 31; required for doves, ducks, geese and other migratory birds in addition to the hunting license. |
| Florida Waterfowl Permit | $5 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Required with the Migratory Bird Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt ducks and geese. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Florida duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
Florida requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Required for anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, to hunt with a firearm, bow or crossbow. A Hunter Safety Mentoring Deferral lets 16+ hunters born after that date hunt under a licensed adult's supervision before completing the course. Out-of-state certificates are accepted.
Florida hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors Florida, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Florida — WMAs by county & access rules →
Florida hunting licenses run 12 months from the purchase date (or a chosen start date up to 90 days out) rather than a fixed calendar cycle — a license bought in August 2026 is valid through August 2027.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Florida without a license?
Florida's exemption is narrower than 'any land you own' — it only covers hunting (or freshwater fishing) on your own homestead property, or that of your spouse or minor child. Whether deer, turkey, or waterfowl permits are still required on a homestead-exempt hunt isn't spelled out in the statute — check with FWC directly before relying on it.
How much is a hunting license in Florida?
A resident annual Florida hunting license costs $17, and the nonresident annual license costs $151.50. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Florida?
$151.50 for the annual nonresident license. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Florida?
Deer Permit — $5. Deer Permit (5-year, residents only) — $25. Archery Season Permit — $5. Crossbow Season Permit — $5. Muzzleloading Gun Season Permit — $5. Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permit — $26.50. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Florida?
Florida requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through Go Outdoors Florida, the state's official portal. Florida hunting licenses run 12 months from the purchase date (or a chosen start date up to 90 days out) rather than a fixed calendar cycle — a license bought in August 2026 is valid through August 2027.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a Florida hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. Required for anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, to hunt with a firearm, bow or crossbow. A Hunter Safety Mentoring Deferral lets 16+ hunters born after that date hunt under a licensed adult's supervision before completing the course. Out-of-state certificates are accepted.
Verified · Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the FWC license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-05-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.