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Advise to Florida Hunters as the 2021 Deer Season Gets Underway


Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 09/20/21
News # 14526
North America Sportshows
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of TBC Press
Florida 2021 deer season is already underway in certain zones. FWC would like hunters to brush up on hunting regulations.

For regulations information, visit MyFWC.com/Hunting and click on “2021-2022 Hunting Regulations.” Also find more links and resources at MyFWC.com/Deer.

Beginning July 2021, dogs pursuing deer, wild hog, fox or coyote must have collars equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking (GPS or telemetry). This rule change, which was requested by dog hunters, requires these devices be attached by a collar or similar means.

Also new this year: Removing, tampering or otherwise interfering with any collar or tag (including remote tracking devices and behavior correction collars) of a dog used for hunting without the owner’s permission is prohibited. Violating this rule is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500. Keep in mind, on July 1, 2022, an additional corrective device will also be required on the collars of hunting dogs pursuing deer, wild hog, fox or coyote.

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ANTLERED DEER - deer with at least one antler 5 inches or more in length (see DMU pages for additional antler regulations)
Zone A
  • Archery season: July 31 – Aug. 29
  • Crossbow season: July 31 – Sept. 3
  • Muzzleloading gun season: Sept. 4–17
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Sept. 11–12 *
  • General gun season:
  • Sept. 18 – Oct. 17
  • Nov. 20 – Jan. 2
Zone B
  • Archery season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 14
  • Crossbow season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 19
  • Muzzleloading gun season: Nov. 20 - Dec. 3
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Nov. 27–28 *
  • General gun season: Dec. 4 – Feb. 20
Zone C
  • Archery season: Sept. 18 – Oct. 17
  • Crossbow season: Sept. 18 – Oct. 22
  • Muzzleloading gun season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 5
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Oct. 30–31 *
  • General gun season: Nov. 6 – Jan. 23
Zone D
  • Archery season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
  • Crossbow season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24, Nov. 29 - Dec. 3
  • General gun season: Nov. 25–28, Dec. 11 – Feb. 20
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Dec. 4–5*
  • Muzzleloading gun season: Dec. 4–10, Feb. 21–27
ANTLERLESS DEER – deer (except spotted fawn) without antlers or antlers less than 5 inches

Zone A
General gun season:
  • DMU A2: Nov. 20–21
  • DMU A3: Nov. 20–23

Zone B
  • Archery season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 14
  • Crossbow season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 14
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Nov. 27–28 *
  • General gun season: Dec. 31 – Jan. 2

Zone D
  • Archery season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
  • Crossbow season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
  • Muzzleloading gun season: DMU D2: Dec. 4–5
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Dec. 4–5 *
General gun season:
  • DMU D1: Nov. 27–28, Jan. 1–2
  • DMU D2: Nov. 27–28, Dec. 18–19, Jan. 1–2
Zone C
  • Archery season: Sept. 18 – Oct. 17
  • Crossbow season: Sept. 18 – Oct. 17
  • Muzzleloading gun season: DMU C5: Oct. 23–24
  • Youth deer hunt weekend: Oct. 30–31 *
General gun season:
  • DMU C1: Nov. 19–22
  • DMU C2: Nov. 19–21
  • DMU C3: Nov. 19–21
  • DMU C4: Nov. 19–22
  • DMU C5: Nov. 6–7, Nov. 20–21
  • DMU C6: Nov. 19–22
Crossbows and bows may be used during muzzleloading gun season on lands outside of the wildlife management area system.

If you plan to hunt a WMA, it’s important to review that area’s regulations brochure to make sure you’re up to speed on what methods of take are allowed as well as season dates, bag limits, and license and permit requirements because they can vary from statewide regulations and other WMAs.

Find WMA regulations brochures by visiting MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures.

The only muzzleloaders that may be used during muzzleloading gun season are those that are fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or centerfire primer. Beginning in July 2021, muzzleloading guns designed to allow accelerant (gun powder) to be loaded at the breech may be used during muzzleloading gun season.

When hunting deer, muzzleloading guns firing single bullets must be at least .30-caliber or larger. Muzzleloading guns firing two or more balls must be 20-gauge or larger.

HUNTER ORANGE
If you are hunting deer on public lands or accompanying someone hunting deer on public lands, you must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material as an outer garment. Hunter orange clothing must be worn above the waistline and may include a head covering. This rule does not apply during an archery-only season or when hunting on private lands at any time.

ANTERLESS DEER
Antlerless deer (any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than 5 inches in length) may only be harvested when they are legal to take, such as during archery season, and on antlerless deer days or under permit i.e., antlerless deer permit issued on land in the wildlife management area system, Antlerless Deer Program Permit or Private Lands Deer Management Program Permit.

Hunters must have the following licenses and permits to hunt during:
  • Archery season:  A Florida hunting license, deer permit and an archery season permit. If hunting a wildlife management area, a management area permit is required. In addition, a limited entry/quota hunt permit may be required to participate in designated hunts on select wildlife management areas. 
  • Crossbow season: A Florida hunting license, deer permit and a crossbow season permit. On most wildlife management areas, there is not a crossbow season and only those with a Persons With Disabilities Crossbow Permit are allowed to use crossbows during archery season and a management area permit also is required (review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt).
  • Muzzleloading gun season: A Florida hunting license, deer permit and a muzzleloading gun permit. If hunting a wildlife management area, a management area permit is required. In addition, a limited entry/quota hunt permit may be required to participate in designated hunts on select wildlife management areas.
  • General gun season: A Florida hunting license and a deer permit. If hunting a wildlife management area, a management area permit is required. In addition, a limited entry/quota hunt permit may be required to participate in designated hunts on select wildlife management areas.