How to Get Your Florida Hunting License

A Florida hunting license is required for hunters age 16 through 64 to legally take wildlife in the state. Residents pay $17.00 for an annual license, while non-residents pay $151.50. Hunters under 16 and Florida residents age 65 and older are exempt from the license requirement. Hunters born on or after June 1, 1975 must complete an FWC-approved hunter safety course before purchasing a license, though the course itself isn't required to purchase a license.

Licenses are sold at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, at county tax collector offices, and at sporting goods retailers statewide. Unlike states with a fixed license year, a Florida hunting license is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, not a set season.

This guide walks you through how to get your Florida hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.

What Is a Hunting License in Florida?

A Florida hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. It's issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and comes in several forms, including a standard resident or non-resident annual license, a 10-day non-resident license, and the Gold Sportsman's License, which bundles hunting, fishing, and all species permits into one purchase.

The license itself is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed an FWC-approved safety course, and once you earn it, it's valid for life. The license, on the other hand, expires 12 months after purchase and must be renewed to keep hunting.

Who Needs a Hunting License in Florida?

Florida law requires a hunting license for anyone age 16 through 64 who takes wildlife in the state, whether resident or non-resident. Several groups are exempt, including hunters under 16, Florida residents age 65 or older with proof of age and residency, and residents hunting on their own homestead property within their county of residence.

Hunter safety works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 and age 16 or older must complete an FWC-approved hunter safety course before buying a license, unless they use the one-time Hunter Safety Mentoring Deferral and hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21.

Because Florida ties its hunter safety rule to both age and birth year, most first-time adult hunters fall squarely into the requirement:

1. Under 16: exempt from both the license and hunter safety requirements, but must hunt with adult supervision.
2. Age 16 or older, born before June 1, 1975: exempt from hunter safety, but still needs a license unless another exemption applies.
3. Age 16 through 64, born on or after June 1, 1975: needs a license and must complete hunter safety, or request a mentoring deferral.
4. Age 65 or older (Florida residents only): exempt from the license and hunter safety requirements with proof of age and residency.

Whichever category applies to you, keep proof of your exemption or certification on hand while hunting.

How to Get Your Florida Hunting License (Step-by-Step)

Getting licensed in Florida is straightforward once you know which exemptions and permits apply to your situation. Here's the full process from start to finish.

1. Complete an FWC-approved hunter safety course if you were born on or after June 1, 1975 and are 16 or older.
2. Purchase your license at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, a county tax collector office, or a sporting goods retailer.
3. Select your license type: resident ($17.00), non-resident annual ($151.50), non-resident 10-day ($46.50), or the Gold Sportsman's License ($100).
4. Add any species-specific permits you need, such as the Deer Permit ($5) or Turkey Permit (resident: $10, non-resident: $125).
5. Add a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit ($26.50) if you plan to hunt on designated WMA land.
6. Carry your digital license through the Fish|Hunt FL app, or your printed license and Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.

Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the hunter safety course and license purchase in more detail.

Step 1: Complete an FWC-Approved Hunter Safety Course

Florida's hunter safety course has no minimum age to enroll, and the requirement to actually complete it only kicks in at 16 for those born on or after June 1, 1975.

1. Online course: The Hunter-Ed Florida course costs $39.95 and is self-paced and IHEA-approved. Most students finish in about three hours.
2. Field Day: After passing the online course, you'll need to attend a Field Day to demonstrate hands-on skills and complete your certification. Your online completion voucher is valid for 365 days, giving you plenty of time to find a session.
3. Fully in-person option: FWC offers free in-person classroom courses statewide that cover the same requirement without an online component.

Since Field Day availability varies by region and season, register as soon as you pass the online course rather than waiting until closer to hunting season.

Step 2: Purchase Your License

Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the FWC website, by phone at 888-486-8356, or at any county tax collector office or authorized retailer.

You'll need a government-issued photo ID, proof of hunter safety certification if required, and payment.

Step 3: Add Permits and Go Hunting

A standard Florida hunting license doesn't automatically cover every species. Taking deer requires a separate Deer Permit, taking turkey requires a Turkey Permit, and hunting on Wildlife Management Areas requires a WMA permit on top of your base license.

Once your license and any needed permits are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.

Florida Hunting License Requirements by Age

Let's take a look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Florida by age.

Species permits: Deer ($5), resident turkey ($10), non-resident turkey ($125), and WMA access ($26.50) are required in addition to the base license and apply regardless of age once a license is required.

Season dates and bag limits vary by species and zone, so check before you plan a hunt.

Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost

Florida offers a couple of paths to meet the hunter safety requirement. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats and costs.

Once you complete either format, that certification is yours for good. Renewing your annual license each year is the only recurring step.

What to Bring When Buying Your License

Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Florida hunting license. You'll need:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Hunter Education Certificate, if required for your age and birth year
• Payment (credit or debit card online or by phone, or check or card in person)
• Proof of Florida residency, if applying for resident rates or the 65+ exemption

Florida Hunting Laws and Penalties

Florida generally treats hunting without a required license as a Level One noncriminal infraction rather than a criminal charge. A first citation typically carries a $50 civil penalty plus the cost of the license or permit. The situation escalates to a misdemeanor if you ignore the citation, repeat the violation, or hunt while a license is suspended or revoked.

Make sure you review Florida's hunting laws and regulations for the full requirements.

What About Reciprocity?

Florida accepts hunter education certificates from any state, province, or country that meets IHEA-USA standards, since the state's own program is built to the same standard. Other IHEA-USA-compliant states and provinces return the favor and accept a Florida Hunter Education Certificate.

The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase a Florida non-resident license.

Out-of-State Visitors

Non-residents can hunt in Florida with either an annual non-resident license ($151.50) or a 10-day non-resident license ($46.50), plus any required species permits. The 10-day option is worth noting: it isn't valid for hunting wild turkey, so visitors planning a turkey hunt need the annual license and a non-resident Turkey Permit ($125).

Non-residents are not eligible for Florida's youth or senior exemptions, which apply only to Florida residents.

Start Your Florida Hunter Safety Course Today

The Hunter-Ed Florida course is approved by FWC, self-paced, and available on any device. Complete the online portion, attend your Field Day, and get your lifetime Florida Hunter Education Certificate.

Approved by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) | Last verified August 7, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need a hunting license in Florida?

A: Yes, if you're between 16 and 64 years old. Hunters under 16 and Florida residents 65 and older are exempt, along with a few other narrow exceptions like homestead hunting.

Q: How old do you have to be to get a Florida hunting license?

A: There's no minimum age to hold a license, but the requirement to have one applies starting at 16. Florida residents 65 and older are exempt regardless of when they were born.

Q: How much does a Florida hunting license cost?

A: A resident annual license costs $17.00. A non-resident annual license costs $151.50. A non-resident 10-day license costs $46.50 but doesn't cover turkey. Prices reflect the current license fee schedule and are set by FWC.

Q: Does a Florida hunting license expire?

A: Yes, but not on a fixed date like most states. A Florida license is valid for 12 months from the date you buy it, so your renewal date depends on your purchase date.

Q: Can I take the hunter safety course online in Florida?

A: Yes. You can complete the entire classroom portion online, but you'll still need to attend a Field Day in person to finish your certification.

Q: Do I need hunter safety training in Florida?

A: Yes, if you're 16 or older and were born on or after June 1, 1975. Hunters born before that date, and anyone under 16, are exempt.

Q: What if I'm visiting Florida to hunt?

A: Non-residents need either an annual license ($151.50) or a 10-day license ($46.50). The 10-day option doesn't cover wild turkey, so plan for the annual license if that's your target species.

Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Florida?

A: A first offense is typically a Level One noncriminal infraction with a $50 civil penalty plus the cost of the license. Ignoring a citation or repeating the violation can escalate it to a misdemeanor.