Hunting With A Felony Conviction - FWC

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  • Buy and Apply
    • Recreational
      • Fishing & Hunting
        • How to Order
        • Do I Need a License?
        • Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
      • Public Land Use
      • Accessibility Accommodations
    • Commercial
      • Commercial Licenses
        • Commercial Saltwater
        • Commercial Freshwater
        • CLS Online Login
      • Charter Licenses
      • Vessel Pier Licenses
    • Wildlife
      • Wildlife Permits
      • Nuisance Wildlife Permits
      • Captive Wildlife Permits
    • More ...
      • Application Forms
      • Boating & Navigation
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
    • Hunting
      • Regulations
        • WMA Brochures
        • Season Dates
        • Hunter Safety
        • Limited Entry Hunts
      • New Hunter
      • Public Shooting Ranges
      • Alligator
      • Deer
      • Dove
      • Turkey
      • Quail
      • Waterfowl
      • Wild Hog
    • 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
    • Boating
      • Regulations
      • Safety & Education
        • Safety Equipment
        • ID Cards
        • Courses
        • See All
      • Boat Ramps & Access
      • Derelict Vessels
      • Stash the trash
      • Wear It Florida
      • Wildlife Alert
  • Places To Go
    • WMAs
      • WMA Brochures
        • Area Opened/Closed Status
      • What are Wildlife Management Areas?
        • Explore By Name
        • Explore the Map
        • See All
    • Recreation
      • Where to Go
        • Hunting
        • Fishing
        • Wildlife Viewing
        • Hiking
        • See All
      • Outfitters and Guides
    • Public Shooting Ranges
      • Range Safety Rules
      • Safety & Education
      • Map of public shooting ranges
    • Go Outdoors Florida!
      • Discover Wildlands
      • Fishing Sites & Forecasts
      • Boating Ramps & Access
      • Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
      • Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
      • Calendar of Events
      • Artificial Reefs
  • About Us
    • About
      • Inside FWC
        • Research Institute
        • Hunting and Game Management
        • Freshwater Fisheries Management
        • Law Enforcement
        • Habitat and Species Conservation
        • Marine Fisheries Management
        • See All
    • Commission
      • Commission Meetings
      • Commissioners
      • Agency Overview
      • Strategic Planning
      • Rules & Regulations
      • News
        • Sign up for news releases
    • Contact
      • Social Media
      • FWC Offices
      • Law Enforcement
      • Wildlife Alert
      • Tell Us What You Think
      • Rule Change Comments
      • Public Records Requests
      • Order Publications
      • Signs
      • Participation at Your Event
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer
      • Internships
      • Employment
        • Law Enforcement
        • Career Opportunities
      • Support FWC
        • Gift Ideas
        • Youth Programs and Activities
        • Donate
        • Buy-a-Plate
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  • Hunting in Florida
  • Hunting Regulations
  • Hunting with a felony conviction
Hunting with a felony conviction

In regard to use of firearms by felons: It is illegal in Florida for convicted felons to possess firearms, including muzzleloading guns, unless they have had their civil rights restored or the gun qualifies as an antique firearm under Florida statute 790.001(1). Properly licensed convicted felons may hunt with bows, crossbows and airguns during hunting seasons when such devices are legal.

A general restoration of civil rights does not include the restoration of the right to own, possess or use a firearm. In order to restore firearm authority, an application is required and there is a waiting period of eight years from the date sentence expired or supervision terminated. For more information on the clemency process and eligibility requirements, go to the Florida Parole Commission Web site.

Section 790.001(1), Florida Statutes, states, "'Antique firearm' means any firearm manufactured in or before 1918 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar early type of ignition system) or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1918, and also any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1918, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade."

Convicted felons should be cautious about being in a location where a firearm is present as they may be in constructive possession of that firearm. Constructive possession occurs when the person knows about the firearm and is in a position to exert dominion and control over that firearm. A felon who is riding in a truck with other hunters who have firearms with them may be in constructive possession of those firearms, depending on the circumstances.

Convicted felons, as well as any hunter, may use a bow, crossbow or airguns during hunting seasons where allowed.

Hunters who are on probation, should consult with their probation officer before hunting.

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Tag » What Weapons Can A Felon Own