Florida’s hunting calendar is unlike any other. With a year-round lineup of game species and a blend of tropical wetlands, hardwood hammocks, and pine flatwoods, the Sunshine State offers something for every hunter. Whether you’re drawn to the explosive flights of waterfowl, the stealthy pursuit of Osceola turkeys, or the heart-pounding chase of gators under a moonlit sky, each month presents a different opportunity to test your skills.
This guide breaks down Florida’s hunting seasons by species and time of year in Central Florida. If you’re planning your next trip with HuntnFL, this calendar will help you set your sights at the right time.
January to February
Peak Waterfowl Action
These winter months are the high point of Florida’s duck season. With cold fronts pushing migratory birds into the state, January delivers some of the most consistent waterfowl opportunities of the year. This is when divers like bluebills and redheads show up in force, often rafted up on larger open waters. Puddle ducks such as teal and wood ducks also stay active, particularly in early mornings.
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Best targets: Bluebills, redheads, teal, wood ducks, ringnecks, mottled ducks
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Prime locations: Open lakes, river systems, and flooded timber
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Conditions to watch: Cold snaps from the north that push birds deeper into Florida
Quail Hunts in Full Swing
Wingshooting reaches its stride in January and February. Quail coveys are flushed over dogs in piney uplands and restored grasslands. The habitat is more open in winter, and cool temps make for better dog work and longer hunting windows.
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Hunt style: Walk-up with pointing dogs
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Preferred cover: Burned pine flats and fallow fields
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Experience level: Accessible to both new and seasoned hunters
March
Turkey Scouting and Spring Prep
March marks the lead-in to Florida’s spring turkey season. While the season doesn’t usually open until the third weekend of the month for most zones, scouting starts early. Osceola turkeys, unique to peninsular Florida, begin to strut and gobble. Their habitat ranges from oak hammocks and palmetto thickets to cattle pastures and forest edges.
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Scout for: Roost trees, dusting areas, strut zones
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Watch behavior: Early gobbles, hen groupings, mid-morning activity
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Gear check: Pattern your shotgun and tune up your calls
April
Osceola Turkey Season in Full Swing
April is prime time for Osceola turkey hunting. These wary birds are smaller and darker than their Eastern cousins, and they often require stealth, patience, and smart setups to tag. Central Florida’s terrain can make calling tricky, especially with dense understory and limited sightlines, but that’s part of the draw.
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Hot zones: Central Florida oak hammocks, edge habitats
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Tactics: Set up tight on gobblers, soft yelping, minimal movement
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Highlights: Early morning gobbles and mid-morning solo toms
May to June
Seasonal Pause and Small Game
As turkey season winds down in early May, most major game seasons take a pause. These months are ideal for small game like squirrel and rabbit if you’re looking to keep your shooting sharp. It’s also a time when many hunters start preparing for the summer gator draw.
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Legal species: Small game, hogs on private land
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Good time for: Gear upgrades, property prep, applying for permits
July
Alligator Permits and Prep
Florida’s statewide alligator hunt kicks off in mid-August, but July is the make-or-break month for planning. Permit drawings are announced, and successful hunters begin scouting water systems, checking gear, and making plans with guides. HuntnFL typically books these trips in advance, and experienced crews start narrowing in on target zones before the season opens.
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Scouting goals: Identify travel corridors, basking spots, feeding behavior
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Gear checklist: Harpoons, snatch hooks, bang sticks, safety ropes
August
Alligator Season Begins
Mid-August marks the start of Florida’s alligator season, one of the most adrenaline-fueled hunts in the South. Hunts run overnight, usually from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m., when gators are most active. Central Florida’s lakes and swamps offer some of the best opportunities in the state, and guides at HuntnFL specialize in helping clients land trophy-size animals.
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Start date: Usually the third week of August
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Best times: Nighttime hours with clear skies and warm temps
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Methods: Harpoon or hook-and-line, followed by bang stick harvest
September
Gator Season Continues and Early Teal Opens
September is one of the few months where gator and waterfowl seasons overlap. The early teal season opens mid-month for a short, high-speed run that favors fast shooting and mobile setups. If you’ve never hunted teal at sunrise and gone gator hunting that night, this is the month to do it.
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Teal season: Typically 16 days long, mid to late September
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Gator prime: Late season often means targeting deep cover during warmer nights
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Combo appeal: Double-header hunting days
October
Quail Season Returns and Resident Ducks Appear
October signals the return of upland excitement with the start of quail season. Birds flushed over pointing dogs provide traditional shooting opportunities in managed habitat. Meanwhile, mottled ducks, whistlers, and early migrants become more visible in the wetlands.
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Quail hunts: More reliable as mornings cool and cover improves
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Waterfowl scouting: Good time to scout blinds, prep decoys, observe bird behavior
November
Opening of Regular Waterfowl Season
Florida’s full waterfowl season begins in mid-November and brings with it a diverse spread of species. Northern migrants begin arriving in large numbers, making this the start of the broader duck season. Ringnecks and blue-wing teal usually arrive first, followed by redheads and buffleheads as winter approaches.
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Best waterfowl tactics: Set decoy spreads early, mix diver and puddle configurations
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Locations: Lake systems, marshes, and tidal estuaries
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Bonus targets: Black-bellied whistling ducks and Fulvous
December
Waterfowl and Quail Peak
December rounds out the hunting calendar with both waterfowl and upland hunting in peak form. Ducks are well distributed, weather patterns shift regularly, and pressure drives birds to more secluded hideouts. It’s the ideal time for experienced hunters to take advantage of their scouting knowledge and for new hunters to enjoy Florida’s finest conditions.
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Ducks in numbers: Mix of divers and puddle ducks, ideal for mixed bag hunts
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Wingshooting rewards: Cold weather keeps birds bunched and cover ideal for dog work
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Scouting tip: Watch pressure patterns; remote spots tend to hold better numbers
Additional Year-Round Opportunities
Wild Hog Hunting
Feral hogs can be hunted year-round on private land in Florida with landowner permission. They’re highly destructive, adaptable, and found across nearly every region. Thermal gear and night hunts are popular in summer, while daytime stalking is easier in cooler months.
Invasive Species Control
Some exotics like iguanas and pythons are huntable without a closed season in designated areas. While not part of HuntnFL’s main offerings, these hunts add another layer of outdoor opportunity for locals and dedicated sportsmen.
Planning Your Hunt with HuntnFL
Every part of the Florida hunting calendar brings something different, and we’re ready for all of it. From the first light over a winter duck blind to the heat-heavy stillness of an August night on gator water, the crew at HuntnFL hunts with purpose, patience, and years of hard-earned skill. We don’t just chase the season. We prepare for it, scout it, and know how to adjust when conditions shift.
If you’re aiming for a bucket-list Osceola, a trophy alligator, or a full mixed-bag duck hunt, we’ll help you hit your mark. We provide the knowledge, the access, and the support to make it happen. For availability or questions, contact us. Spots fill quickly as seasons approach, and planning early gives you the best chance at the hunt you want. Book your next hunting trip today!