The 2024 spring turkey hunting season is underway! If you’re planning to venture south of State Road 70, be ready to enjoy the season which is now open and will run until April 7. For those looking to explore north of State Road 70, you’ll have a bit more time with the season extending until April 21. As you prepare for your hunting adventures, keep the following important information in mind.
About Wild Turkeys
Florida is home to two subspecies of wild turkey — the eastern wild turkey and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey. The Osceola wild turkey only lives on the Florida peninsula.
License and Permit Requirements
In order to hunt wild turkeys on lands outside of the WMA system, hunters will need both a hunting license and turkey permit. To hunt wild turkeys on WMA lands, hunters will need a hunting license, a turkey permit and a management area permit, unless exempt. These licenses and permits can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchases at many Florida county tax collectors’ offices.
Harvest Reporting Requirement – Hunters who take a wild turkey must log and report their harvest.
Limits
Hunters will only be allowed to take bearded turkeys and gobblers. On public lands, the daily bag limit is 1 bearded turkey while the season limit is 2. On private lands both the daily and season limit is 2 bearded turkeys.
Helpful Tips
- Shooting hours on lands outside of the WMA system are a half hour before sunrise to sunset
- For higher success, it is best to scout and learn the area you plan to hunt
- It is best to hunt in the early morning
- Males are larger and darker in color, they are know for their vibrant red, white and blue head
For more information visit FWC’s Spring Turkey Hunting Guide.
