Where is the best hunting in Florida?

What county in Florida has the best deer hunting?

Marion ranks as the number one county in which to find trophy bucks. In November 2015, Rick Moyer shot a buck that taped an impressive 164 B&C. Over the last five years, Marion County hunters have logged 130 Florida Registry bucks scoring an average of 112 B&C.

Where is the most deer in Florida?

As a region, the Panhandle has the highest-scoring deer. But, the counties that comprise the spine of the state, from Alachua and Marion and into Polk and Osceola, offer a shot at a whopper, too.

Where do people hunt in Florida?

Where are the biggest bucks in Florida?

The official state record for Florida is a 1999 buck, a 26-point velvet-racked buck killed at Green Swamp West Wildlife Management Area in Pasco County, just west of Orlando. That buck tallied 206 inches even.

Florida Whitetail Deer Hunt and How I choose My Spot

Does Florida have good hunting?

Florida boasts an unbelievable diversity of regions and game species, guaranteed to offer fantastic hunting adventures! Deer, Hogs, Turkey, Quail, Iguana, and of course, Alligators! Every season of the year is hunting season in Florida!

Is hunting popular in Florida?

Florida is a popular hunting destination for a number of reasons. Large swaths of Florida are covered in undisturbed wildlife, the weather is almost always suitable for hunting, and there is a large variety of popular hunting species.

Where can I hunt in Florida without a quota?

Where can I hunt hogs in Florida for free?

Hunt Wild Boar for Free in Florida

The Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area (564,000 acres) in Franklin, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties is part of the vast Apalachicola National Forest and offers good hog hunting.

How do I find public hunting land in Florida?

Use the WMA Finder to locate wildlife management area (WMAs) hunting opportunities based on species, season, location and more.

What can you hunt year round in Florida?

Eddie White, quota hunt coordinator for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, said the following may be taken year-round on private property: wild hogs (where hogs are not a game species), rabbits, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, nutria, skunks, armadillos and beavers.

How many deer can you shoot in Florida?

The annual statewide bag limit is 5 deer per hunter of which no more than 2 deer can be antlerless (any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than five inches in length).

Are deer overpopulated in Florida?

In 1985, the Florida deer population hit 100,000, and in 2020, there was an estimated stable population of 700,000. Today, FWC holds 5.8 million acres in wildlife management areas, which serve as state-managed habitat for deer and other Florida wildlife species.

How big do bucks get in Florida?

Adult male deer in Florida average 115 pounds, but can reach 190 pounds or more in North Florida. The smaller females average 90 pounds with larger females weighing 120 pounds or more.

How common are deer in Florida?

Reintroduction of white-tailed deer by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) also has helped increase deer populations. By 1985, 100,000 individuals were recorded and today an estimated stable population of 700,000 exists in Florida.

How is hunting in Florida?

The tropical and subtropical climate of the Sunshine State makes Florida a challenging and interesting place to hunt. White-tailed deer and wild hogs are the most commonly hunted species, but Florida also offers a number of unique hunting opportunities, including alligators, Burmese pythons, and Osceola turkeys.

What part of Florida has the most hogs?

In Florida, some of the highest densities of feral hogs can be found north and west of Lake Okeechobee where large forested tracts, dense vegetation, abundant water and limited public access provide an ideal environment for the pigs. Hog numbers tend to be lower in areas with intensive agriculture or urban development.

Can you eat wild pigs in Florida?

While hunting for other types of big game ended last month, wild hogs can be taken all year in many areas of the state. Palm Beach County and parts of Collier, Dade, Monroe, Escambia, Gulf and Santa Rosa counties are areas where wild hogs may only be hunted during the regular gun season.

Can you eat a feral hog?

“Feral hogs make great table fare,” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension's website adds. “However, always use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 160°F has been reached and the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Do I need a hunting license to hunt hogs in Florida?

A hunting license is not required, and a permit is not required to take wild hogs at night with a gun and light with landowner permission. Hunters may use dogs and any legal rifle, shotgun, crossbow, bow, pistol or air gun (including airbow). There is no size or bag limit, and either sex may be harvested.

Can you hunt from the road in Florida?

Taking or attempting to take wildlife is illegal on, upon or from rights-of-way of federal, state or county-maintained roads, whether paved or otherwise, except reptiles and amphibians may be taken without the use of firearms and raptors may be taken per Rule 68A-9.005, F.A.C.

Can you hunt any public land in Florida?

Florida is blessed to have nearly 6 million acres of public hunting land and even if you don't have a quota hunt permit, there are still wildlife management areas (WMAs) you can hunt without one. Find WMAs you can hunt during archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun seasons without a quota permit.

How many acres do you need to hunt in Florida?

Persons who own, lease or otherwise have written permission to take deer on properties of at least 640 contiguous acres, or not less than 150 contiguous acres if adjoining land with a current Antlerless Deer Permit or Private Lands Deer Management Permit, may apply for antlerless deer permits and tags to authorize the ...

Can you hunt alligators in Florida?

Alligator hunting is legal, but its not a free-for-all. There is a specific alligator hunting season, which falls between August 15 and Nov 1 each year. Alligator hunting was established in 1988, due to the growing need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators in Florida.

What can you hunt in a panhandle in Florida?

Game preserves, established hunting camps, and vast public lands offer great opportunities for hunting whitetail deer, squirrel, fowl and wild boar.