When Is Florida Turkey Season?

Nestled in the remote Florida timberland, the Osceola is notorious for its elusive and cautious nature. It is one of the hardest birds to spot, let alone hunt. Luckily, you'll find Eastern wilds there, too, and with a warmer climate and 6 million acres of public land to hunt, Florida is, rightfully so, a turkey hot spot. 

Whether you're completing your slam or want to hunt birds in a unique environment, here's everything you need to know about the Florida turkey season. 

About Florida's Osceola Turkey

Let's explore the Osceola and its fascinating geographic distribution. The Osceola species is predominantly found in the Central and Southern parts of Florida, while the Eastern turkeys are more commonly spotted further up North. 

The Osceola is the major drawcard to Florida's turkey hunting season. It is found only in peninsular Florida. Here are critical insights to help plan and understand the bird.  

Appearance

Strikingly similar to Easterns in appearance, some distinctive features help informed hunters pick up on the nuance and differentiate between the two.

The Osceola are darker than Easterns, with black wings and distinctive small white bands. They're smaller in size, with males up to 20 pounds, and are leaner birds with long spurs and legs. 

Habitat

Osceola turkeys, known for their adaptability, are often found on the edges of waterways such as swamps, ponds, and creeks. They prefer to roost in boggy zones, typically nesting in cypress trees that follow these waterways.

Interestingly, their habitat can change significantly depending on the season. They'll move into grasslands and pastures when searching for food, including insects for foraging. 

Diet

These birds chow down on a relatively typical omnivorous diet standard to all turkey subspecies. This includes seeds, fruits, leaves, acorns, insects, and small reptiles, with blackberries a favorite. 

Habits

The Osceola breeding season runs from January to May in southern Florida. At the beginning of the breeding season, males start gobbling and strutting for females, and the Osceola is known to be an especially loud gobbler.  

When Does the Turkey Season Start in Florida? 

The Florida turkey season is open to hunters in Spring and Fall. Explore the different season dates and cutoffs below. 

Spring

The Spring season is divided geographically into a youth and general season, using State Road 70 as the divisive indicator. 

North of State Road 70

• Youth turkey hunt weekend: March 8-9 
• Spring turkey season: March 15 through April 20
   

South of State Road 70

• Youth turkey hunt weekend: Feb. 22-23 
• Spring turkey season: March 1 through April 6

Fall

The Fall season is divided into several hunting zones that are further distinguished by types of firearms. 

Zone A

• Archery season: August 3 through September 1
• Crossbow season: August 3 through September 6
• Muzzleloading gun season: Sept. 7-20
• Fall turkey season: Oct. 7-20, November 23 through January 5 
   

Zone B

• Archery season: October 19 through November 17
• Crossbow season: October 19 through November 22
• Muzzleloading gun season: November 23 through December 6
• Fall turkey season: December 7 through February 2 
   

Zone C

• Archery season: September 14 through October 13
• Crossbow season: September 14 through October 18
• Muzzleloading gun season: October 19 through November 1
• Fall turkey season: November 2 through December 29 
   

Zone D

• Archery season: October 26 through November 27
• Crossbow season: October 26 through November 27, Dec. 2–6
• Muzzleloading gun season: Dec. 7-13
• Fall turkey season: November 28 through December 1, December 14 through January 19 
   

Bag Limits, Legal Birds, and Licensing 

The daily and season limit for birds is two, including the fall season combined. 

To hunt in Florida, you must have both a Florida hunting license and a turkey permit. You'll also require a management area permit if you're hunting in a wildlife management area (WMA). 

It's important to note that hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, and 16 years old must pass a hunter safety course before purchasing a license. This course is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure your safety and the safety of others during your hunting activities.

Before heading out for your hunt, check the specific guidelines regarding your intended hunting zone. These regulations may be subject to change, especially in WMAs.

How to Bring Home the Osceola This Season

The draw of the Osceola and the allure of the turkey slam means that Florida can experience significant hunting pressure. To bag out on this elusive bird, you'll need a watertight strategy and to push further than other hunters may be less willing to go. 

Use Decoys and Calls 

Using both decoys and calls can be a strong option, especially in mixed environments of wooded and open zones where turkeys are likely to pass through.

Due to this, using a decoy, such as a simple hen, can provide a visual draw for the birds in an otherwise open landscape, and a combination of calls used sparingly will yield the most outstanding results. 

Set up a Natural Blind

Blind hunting can be an effective strategy in Florida if the camouflage matches your intended landscape effectively.

When choosing a blind, determine whether you're targeting oak forests, pine forests, or wetlands and keep it as natural as possible. Osceola, especially in groups, are easily spooked. 

Use the HuntWise App to Scout Land (and More) 

Success in hunting Osceola depends on locating low-pressure hunting zones. This means scouting away from main roads and car parks and, if possible, across multiple bodies of water where fewer hunters are likely to traverse these landscapes.

With HuntWise, mapping layers and a 3D view help paint a picture of Florida's deep forest landscape, allowing you to target high-potential zones.

Make your turkey season a success! Download HuntWise and explore every feature free for a week.