Florida Hunting License - Steps to Buy in FL

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 18, 2025

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Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Florida hunting license:


Florida Hunter Education Certification

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for use in Florida for FL residents and non-residents alike.

After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Florida), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your FL Hunting License

Florida offers a variety of recreational hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.

Additional permits may be required to hunt other game species.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who declares Florida as his or her state of residency and has a Florida driver license or ID card. Active-duty military members stationed in Florida and their dependents are considered residents.

All Florida residents ages 16 to 64 must have a resident hunting license. Additional permits may be required to hunt other game species.

  • Resident Hunting License – Required for Florida residents aged 16 to 64 to hunt. Does not include permits for specific species or areas.
  • Resident Sportsman's License – Includes the resident hunting license plus permits for Wildlife Management Area (WMA), archery, muzzleloading gun, crossbow, deer, turkey, and Florida waterfowl.
  • Resident Gold Sportsman's License – Combines all hunting and freshwater/saltwater fishing privileges, including snook and lobster permits.
  • Resident 5-Year Hunting License – Covers hunting privileges for five consecutive years.
  • Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Provides lifetime hunting privileges for residents. Optional upgrades can include additional permits and fishing licenses.

Non-Resident Hunting Licenses

All non-residents age 16 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.

  • Non-Resident Annual Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt in Florida.
  • Non-Resident 10-Day Hunting License – Short-term license valid for 10 consecutive days for non-residents.
  • Non-Resident Lifetime Hunting License – Available to non-residents, providing lifetime hunting privileges in Florida.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Hunting License – Not required for individuals under 16 years old. Youth hunters must follow supervision, safety guidelines, hunting laws, and applicable regulations.
  • Hunter Safety Requirements – Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Resident Senior Exemption – Florida residents aged 65 and older are exempt from needing a hunting license, WMA permit, archery, crossbow, and muzzleloading permits, ensuring they can enjoy recreational activities without additional licensing requirements. They must carry proof of age and residency to qualify for these exemptions.
  • Resident Silver Sportsman's License – Available for residents aged 64 and older. Includes most hunting and freshwater fishing privileges.

Lifetime Licenses (Residents Only)

  • Lifetime Hunting License – Grants lifetime hunting privileges. Additional upgrades for other permits and fishing are available.
  • Lifetime Sportsman's License – Covers all hunting and fishing privileges for life, including species-specific permits and stamps.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Resident Disabled Hunting and Fishing License – Available at no cost to residents with qualifying permanent disabilities. Covers most privileges.
  • Military Gold Sportsman's License – Discounted license for active-duty and retired military members who are Florida residents.
  • Active-Duty Military Exemption – Florida residents on active duty outside the state may hunt without a license while home on leave for 30 days or less.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • WMA Permit – Required to hunt on Wildlife Management Areas.
  • Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloading Gun Permits – Required for respective season participation.
  • Deer and Turkey Permits – Required to hunt deer or turkey during applicable seasons.
  • Florida Waterfowl Permit – Required to hunt ducks, geese, and coots.
  • Federal Duck Stamp – Required for waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be signed across the face.
  • ​​​​​​​Migratory Bird Permit – Required to hunt migratory game birds like doves and rails.
  • Furbearer Trapping License – Required for trapping animals like raccoons, bobcats, otters, and coyotes.

Florida Hunting licenses are good for 12 months from the date of purchase or from an alternate starting date. Florida residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.Resident Hunting Licenses


Where to buy your Florida Hunting License

To hunt in Florida, you can purchase your license either online through the official licensing platform Go Outdoors Florida or in person at an authorized licensing agent. A comprehensive list of in-person agents is available here: Locate a Florida Hunt & Fish Licensing Agent.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Florida: