2022 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide - FWC
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- Commercial
- Commercial Licenses
- Commercial Saltwater
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- CLS Online Login
- Charter Licenses
- Vessel Pier Licenses
- Commercial Licenses
- Wildlife
- Wildlife Permits
- Nuisance Wildlife Permits
- Captive Wildlife Permits
- More ...
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- Boating & Navigation
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- Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
- Wildlife Alert
- Report a Violation
- Know the Rules
- Captive Wildlife
- Saltwater Recreational Regulations
- Freshwater Recreational Regulations
- Hunting Regulations
- Boating Regulations
- See All
- Resolve Wildlife Conflict
- Learn to Unhook Seabirds
- Living with Wildlife
- Bear
- Bats
- Coyote
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- Shorebirds/Seabirds
- Snakes
- See All
- Report Issues
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
- Report Fish Kills
- Red Tide Status
- Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
- Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
- See All
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Wildlife Alert
- Engaging in Conservation
- Conservation
- Value of Conservation
- Living with Wildlife
- Freshwater Programs
- Saltwater Programs
- Terrestrial Programs
- Stash the trash
- Special Initiatives
- Coastal Wildlife
- State Wildlife Action Plan
- See All
- Wildlife and Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- Nonnative Species
- Species Profiles
- Alligator
- Bald Eagle
- Bear
- Gopher Tortoise
- Manatee
- Panther
- Sea Turtle
- See All
- How You Can Conserve
- Install Wildlife Lighting
- Exotic Pet Amnesty
- Habitat Management
- Working with Private Landowners
- Invasive Plants
- Prescribed Fire
- Management Plans
- Aquatic Habitat Conservation
- See All
- Education
- Educators
- Outdoor Skills
- Learn about Wildlife
- See All
- Research
- Freshwater
- GIS and Mapping
- Habitat
- Manatee
- Red Tide
- Saltwater
- Wildlife
- Publications
- About
- Conservation
- Things To Do
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Fishing Education
- Sites & Forecasts
- See All
- Saltwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Saltwater Fishing Clinics
- Provide Comments
- See All
- Freshwater Fishing
- Hunting
- Regulations
- WMA Brochures
- Season Dates
- Hunter Safety
- Limited Entry Hunts
- New Hunter
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Alligator
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Quail
- Waterfowl
- Wild Hog
- Regulations
- Wildlife Recreation
- Wildlife Viewing
- Where to View Wildlife
- How to View Wildlife
- Backyards and Beyond
- Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
- See All
- Recreation on Wild Lands
- What are WMAS?
- Explore by name
- Explore by map
- What to Do
- See All
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Regulations
- Safety & Education
- Safety Equipment
- ID Cards
- Courses
- See All
- Boat Ramps & Access
- Derelict Vessels
- Stash the trash
- Wear It Florida
- Wildlife Alert
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- Places To Go
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- Area Opened/Closed Status
- What are Wildlife Management Areas?
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- Discover Wildlands
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- Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
- Calendar of Events
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- WMAs
- About Us
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- Wild Turkey Management Program
- 2026 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide
New rules for nonresident turkey hunters
Starting with the 2026 spring turkey season, hunters who are not residents of Florida cannot hunt wild turkey during the first nine days of the zonal spring turkey season at Big Cypress (on the non-quota units only), Herky Huffman/Bull Creek, Jumper Creek, Three Lakes, and J.W. Corbett.
Nonresident turkey hunters must also purchase a nonresident annual hunting license. A 10-day nonresident hunting license cannot be used during the spring turkey season.
About Wild Turkeys
Florida is home to two subspecies of wild turkey — the eastern wild turkey and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey. The Osceola lives only on the Florida peninsula. See the wild turkey species profile for more information.
The National Wild Turkey Federation and the FWC recognize, in their respective turkey registry programs, any wild turkey harvested within or south of the counties of Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Union, Bradford, Clay and Duval, to be an Osceola subspecies.
Turkey Hunting Resources
- How to Hunt Wild Turkeys
- WMA Regulations Brochures
- Hunting License and Fees
- Wild Turkey Distribution Map
- Search for Outfitters and Guides
- WMA Closures and Updates
- Quota Hunts
- National Wildlife Refuge Hunts
- Special-Opportunity Hunts
- Tips for Safe and Successful Turkey Hunting
- WMA Harvest Reports
- 2025 Wild Turkey Hunting Status Report
Hunter's Toolbox
View harvest reporting data organized by county, WMA, date of harvest, and more.
View HereSpring Turkey Season Information
- Outside of the WMA System
- At WMAs
- Youth Turkey Hunts
- Wild Turkey Registry
Season Dates
The 2026 spring turkey season south of State Road 70 opens March 7 and runs through April 12 on lands outside of the WMA system. North of State Road 70, the 2026 spring season opens March 21 and runs through April 26.
Bag Limits
Hunters may take bearded turkeys and gobblers only. On lands outside of the WMA system, the daily bag limit is two and the season and possession limit on turkeys is two.
License and Permit Requirements
To hunt wild turkeys on lands outside of the WMA system, hunters will need a hunting license and turkey permit,unless exempt. These licenses and permits can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies.
Other Regulations
On lands outside of the WMA system, any legal rifle, shotgun, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns of at least .20-caliber, muzzleloader, crossbow, bow or pistol may be used to take turkeys.
Shooting hours on lands outside of the WMA system are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Hunters may use decoys, but they are not permitted to hunt turkeys with dogs, use recorded turkey calls or sounds, or shoot turkeys on the roost. In addition, wild turkey may not be taken if the hunter is less than 100 yards from a game feeding station when feed is present.
See theFlorida Hunting Regulationsfor more information.
Season Dates
Season dates and other rules may vary from statewide seasons and other WMAs so carefully review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt. Find WMA Regulations brochures.
Bag Limits
Hunters may take bearded turkeys and gobblers only and the season limit is 2. On WMAs, hunters may take only one bird per day. Before hunting a WMA, carefully review the area’s regulations brochure as season dates, bag limits and other rules may vary. Find WMA Regulations brochures.
License and Permit Requirements
To hunt wild turkeys at a WMA, hunters will need a hunting license, a turkey permit and a management area permit, unless exempt. These licenses and permits can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies.
NOTE: Many WMAs require a quota permit to hunt during spring turkey season and November is the time to apply for those quota permits.
Other Regulations
Before hunting a WMA, carefully review the area’s regulations brochure as season dates and other rules may vary. Also, check the area’s open/closed status to determine its availability to public access, and if there are any road closures or updates about check stations or entrances.
Shooting hours during spring turkey season on most WMAs are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. On some WMAs, spring turkey shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
Any legal shotgun using #2 or smaller shot size, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt or arrow, crossbow, or bow may be used to take wild turkeys.
Hunters may use decoys, but they are not permitted to hunt turkeys with dogs, use recorded turkey calls or sounds, or shoot turkeys on the roost, or over bait.
The FWC offers two Youth Spring Turkey Hunts for youth 15 years old and younger on many wildlife management areas (WMAs) and lands outside of the WMA system. Learn more about these Youth Turkey Hunts.
If you harvested a turkey with an 11- inch beard or longer and spurs measuring at least 1 ¼ inches, you can apply for an “Outstanding Gobbler Certificate” and have your name listed in FWC’s Wild Turkey Registry.
In addition, hunters under the age of 16 who have harvested their first gobbler can apply for a "First Gobbler Certificate," regardless of beard or spur measurements.
Learn more about FWC's Wild Turkey Registry, including the complete listing and applications for both certificates.
WMAs You Can Hunt Without a Quota Permit
A quota permit is required to hunt spring turkey season on most WMAs. However, there are around 40 WMAs that don’t require a quota permit to hunt either the entire season, part of the season or a portion of the area. Also, some require daily quota permits that are issued first-come, first-served at the check station. These WMAs allowing walk-in opportunity are listed below and on the map.
Be sure to review the online regulation brochure for the WMA you want to hunt because season dates, bag limits, legal methods of take and other rules may vary. Also, check the WMA's open/closed status to learn of any closures to public access or roads.
- Osceola turkeys inhabit these areas
- Eastern turkeys inhabit these areas
Big Bend WMA - Jena Unit
Big Cypress WMA
Green Swamp WMA
Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA
Hungryland WMA
J.W. Corbett WMA
Jumper Creek WMA
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area
Kissimmee River Public Use Area
Lake Monroe WMA
Lochloosa WMA
Log Landing WMA
Raiford WMA
Richloam WMA
Rolling Meadows Unit – Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area
Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area
Three Lakes WMA
Upper Hillsborough WMA
Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA
Apalachicola WMA
Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area
Aucilla WMA
Big Bend WMA:
- Hickory Mound Unit
- Snipe Island Unit
- Spring Creek Unit
- Tide Swamp Unit
Blackwater WMA
Chipola River WMA
Choctawhatchee River WMA
Econfina Creek WMA
Eglin Air Force Base
Escambia River WMA
Lower Econfina River WMA
Mallory Swamp WMA
Osceola WMA
Pine Log WMA
Point Washington WMA
Steinhatchee Springs WMA
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Telogia Creek
Troy Springs WMA
Yellow River WMA
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