Hunting Guide · Southwest Florida

Hunting Season Dates, 2026-2027

Zone A dates for Lee, Collier and most of Charlotte County, as FWC states them. Land west of Charlotte Harbor may fall in Zone C, see the caveat below for the 2026-2027 license year. Retrieved from myfwc.com on October 1, 2026.

Which zone are you in? Zone A, with one Charlotte County caveat (verify).

FWC's zone map page does not list counties. It describes zone and DMU boundaries by roads, shorelines and county lines, and links a map PDF. Lee and Collier lie south of the Charlotte/Lee line and the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor line, which is the DMU A3 northern boundary, so they are Zone A. Charlotte County straddles that line: the land around Gasparilla Island and west of Charlotte Harbor sits on the DMU C1 (Zone C) side, so part of Charlotte County may follow Zone C dates. Confirm your exact parcel on the FWC zone map before you hunt.

“DMU-A3: The northern boundary begins at the coast on Gasparilla Island at the Charlotte/Lee County line and runs easterly along the county line to the east shore of Charlotte Harbor.”
“DMU-A2: The northern boundary begins at the coast and runs due east to the Golden Gate Parkway.”
“DMU-C1: ... Then it follows the east shore of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor to the Charlotte/Lee line then westerly to the coast of Gasparilla Island.”

(Source: FWC: Hunting Zone Maps and Boundaries, retrieved October 1, 2026.) Seasons, dates and bag limits do not apply to wildlife management areas.

Month-by-month chart

July 2026 to June 2027. Each row name links to the FWC page the dates came from.

Season chart, July 2026 to June 2027, one row per season
Season	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
Deer, archeryAug. 1-30	Jul: Closed	Aug: Open part of month	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Deer, crossbowAug. 1 to Sept. 4	Jul: Closed	Aug: Open all month	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Deer, muzzleloading gunSept. 5-18	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Deer, youth weekend (15 and younger)Sept. 12-13	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Deer, general gunSept. 19 to Oct. 18, Nov. 21 to Jan. 3	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Open part of month	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open part of month	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Antlerless, archery and crossbow, DMU A2Aug. 1-9	Jul: Closed	Aug: Open part of month	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Antlerless, archery and crossbow, DMU A3Aug. 1-16	Jul: Closed	Aug: Open part of month	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Antlerless, youth weekend, DMU A2 and A3Sept. 12-13	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Antlerless, general gun, DMU A2Nov. 21-22	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Antlerless, general gun, DMU A3Nov. 21-24	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Wild turkey, fallOct. 5-18, Nov. 21 to Jan. 3	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Open part of month	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open part of month	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Wild turkey, spring youth huntFeb. 26 to March 1	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Open part of month	Mar: Open part of month	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Wild turkey, springMarch 6 to April 11	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Open part of month	Apr: Open part of month	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
QuailNov. 14 to March 7	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Open all month	Mar: Open part of month	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Wild hogs, gray squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, beaver, coyotesYear round	Jul: Open all month	Aug: Open all month	Sep: Open all month	Oct: Open all month	Nov: Open all month	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Open all month	Mar: Open all month	Apr: Open all month	May: Open all month	Jun: Open all month
BobcatDec. 1 to March 31	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Open all month	Mar: Open all month	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
OtterDec. 1 to March 1	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Open all month	Mar: Open part of month	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
DoveSept. 26 to Oct. 18, Nov. 14 to Dec. 6, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Open part of month	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Open part of month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Early teal and wood duckSept. 19-23	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open part of month	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
Ducks, mergansers and cootsNov. 21-29, Dec. 12 to Jan. 31	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Open part of month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
GallinuleSept. 1 to Nov. 9	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Open all month	Oct: Open all month	Nov: Open part of month	Dec: Closed	Jan: Closed	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
SnipeNov. 1 to Feb. 15	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Open all month	Dec: Open all month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Open part of month	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed
WoodcockDec. 18 to Jan. 31	Jul: Closed	Aug: Closed	Sep: Closed	Oct: Closed	Nov: Closed	Dec: Open part of month	Jan: Open all month	Feb: Closed	Mar: Closed	Apr: Closed	May: Closed	Jun: Closed

Every season, with the FWC wording

Deer

Deer, archery: Aug. 1-30. FWC: “Zone A - Archery season: Aug. 1-30” (source)
Deer, crossbow: Aug. 1 to Sept. 4. FWC: “Zone A - Crossbow season: Aug. 1 – Sept. 4” (source)
Deer, muzzleloading gun: Sept. 5-18. FWC: “Zone A - Muzzleloading gun season: Sept. 5-18” (source)
Deer, youth weekend (15 and younger): Sept. 12-13. FWC: “Zone A - Youth deer hunt weekend: Sept. 12-13” (source)
Deer, general gun: Sept. 19 to Oct. 18, Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. FWC: “Zone A - General gun season: Sept. 19 – Oct. 18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3” (source)

Antlerless deer

Antlerless, archery and crossbow, DMU A2: Aug. 1-9. FWC: “Archery season: DMU A2: Aug. 1-9 (Crossbow season: DMU A2: Aug. 1-9)” (source)
Antlerless, archery and crossbow, DMU A3: Aug. 1-16. FWC: “Archery season: DMU A3: Aug. 1-16 (Crossbow season: DMU A3: Aug. 1-16)” (source)
Antlerless, youth weekend, DMU A2 and A3: Sept. 12-13. FWC: “Youth deer hunt weekend: DMU A2 and DMU A3: Sept. 12-13” (source)
Antlerless, general gun, DMU A2: Nov. 21-22. FWC: “General gun season: DMU A2: Nov. 21-22” (source)
Antlerless, general gun, DMU A3: Nov. 21-24. FWC: “General gun season: DMU A3: Nov. 21-24” (source)

Turkey

Wild turkey, fall: Oct. 5-18, Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. FWC: “Zone A - Fall turkey season: Oct. 5-18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3” (source)
Wild turkey, spring youth hunt: Feb. 26 to March 1. FWC: “South of State Road 70 - Youth turkey hunt: Feb. 26 – March 1” (source)
Wild turkey, spring: March 6 to April 11. FWC: “South of State Road 70 - Spring turkey season: March 6 – April 11” (source)

Small game

Quail: Nov. 14 to March 7. FWC: “QUAIL: Statewide Nov. 14 – March 7” (source)
Wild hogs, gray squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, beaver, coyotes: Year round. FWC: “[Gray Squirrels, Rabbits, Wild Hogs, Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, Beaver, & Coyotes] may be taken year round by rifle, shotgun, handgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow or bow.” (source)

Furbearers

Bobcat: Dec. 1 to March 31. FWC: “BOBCAT: Statewide Dec. 1 – March 31” (source)
Otter: Dec. 1 to March 1. FWC: “OTTER: Statewide Dec. 1 – March 1” (source)

Migratory birds

Dove: Sept. 26 to Oct. 18, Nov. 14 to Dec. 6, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31. FWC: “Sept. 26 – Oct. 18, Nov. 14 - Dec. 6, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31” (source)
Early teal and wood duck: Sept. 19-23. FWC: “Sept. 19-23” (source)
Ducks, mergansers and coots: Nov. 21-29, Dec. 12 to Jan. 31. FWC: “Nov. 21-29, Dec. 12 – Jan. 31” (source) FWC also lists youth waterfowl hunting days Nov. 14 and Feb. 13, and veterans and active military waterfowl days Feb. 6-7.
Gallinule: Sept. 1 to Nov. 9. FWC: “Sept. 1 – Nov. 9” (source)
Snipe: Nov. 1 to Feb. 15. FWC: “Nov. 1 – Feb. 15” (source)
Woodcock: Dec. 18 to Jan. 31. FWC: “Dec. 18 – Jan. 31” (source)

No alligator season is charted: it does not appear on the FWC season-dates or migratory-bird pages used here.

Licenses and permits

Prices as listed by FWC, retrieved October 1, 2026. FWC lists most permits for residents only; “not listed” means no price appears in that column.

License or permit	Resident	Non-resident
Annual Hunting License	$17.00	$151.50
Five-Year Hunting License	$79.00	not listed
Annual Hunting\|Freshwater Fishing Combination	$32.50	not listed
Annual Hunting\|Freshwater\|Saltwater Fishing Combination	$48.00	not listed
Annual Sportsman's License	$80.50	not listed
Youth Hunting License (Ages 8-15)	$17.00	not listed
Archery Season Permit (Annual)	$5.00	not listed
Crossbow Season Permit (Annual)	$5.00	not listed
Muzzleloading Gun Permit (Annual)	$5.00	not listed
Deer Permit (Annual)	$5.00	not listed
Turkey Permit (Annual Resident)	$10.00	not listed
Turkey Permit (Annual Non-Resident)	not listed	$125.00
Management Area Permit (Annual)	$26.50	one price listed
Migratory Bird Permit	No-cost (Sept. 1 - March 31)	No-cost
Florida Waterfowl Permit (Annual)	$5.00	not listed
Furbearer License (Annual)	$26.50	$26.50

FWC: “A furbearer license is not required for wild hogs since they are not considered game animals.” FWC: the license or permit vendor may also charge an issuance fee of 50 cents. Management Area Permit: FWC lists one annual price of $26.50 without a resident split.

Sources

FWC: Season Dates and Species, retrieved October 1, 2026
FWC: Hunting Zone Maps and Boundaries, retrieved October 1, 2026
FWC: Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits, retrieved October 1, 2026
FWC: Hunting Licenses and Permits, retrieved October 1, 2026