Florida Spring Turkey Season 2027

Florida's 2027 spring turkey season opens March 6 south of State Road 70 and March 20 north of State Road 70, with youth hunts the weekend before each opener. This guide covers the dates, bag limits, shooting hours, permits and the quota-permit deadline that sneaks up on a lot of hunters every November. All dates and rules come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) season dates page.

Quick Answer: Florida Spring Turkey Season 2027 Dates

State Road 70 runs east to west just above Lake Okeechobee, from Bradenton to Fort Pierce. Unlike deer season, spring turkey season is split by this road, not by Florida's four hunting zones. These are statewide dates for private land. Wildlife management areas (WMAs) can have different dates, so check your area's WMA regulations brochure.

Spring Turkey Bag Limits

• Legal birds: Gobblers and bearded turkeys only. FWC says if you're unsure, a bird is legal if a beard is sticking out of its chest.
• Season limit: Two birds total for all spring seasons combined, including the youth hunt.
• Daily limit on private land: Two birds in one day.
• Daily limit on WMAs: One bird per day.

Shooting Hours

During spring turkey season, shooting hours on private land and most WMAs run from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Some WMAs close at 1 p.m., according to FWC's general hunting regulations. That's different from fall seasons, which run until a half hour after sunset.

Licenses and Permits You Need

• Private land: A Florida hunting license and a turkey permit, unless you're exempt.
• WMAs: A hunting license, a turkey permit and a management area permit. Many WMAs also require a spring turkey quota permit (see below).
• Nonresidents: You need a nonresident annual hunting license. FWC says a 10-day nonresident license cannot be used during spring turkey season.
• Hunter safety: If you were born on or after June 1, 1975, you must complete a hunter safety course to buy a Florida hunting license, unless you use the mentoring deferral.

You can buy licenses and permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA, or at county tax collector offices and most stores that sell hunting supplies.

Quota Permits: Apply in November

This is the deadline most people miss. A Spring Turkey Quota Permit is required for some spring hunts on select WMAs, and the drawing happens months before the season. For the 2026–2027 season, FWC lists these application periods:

• Phase I: Nov. 1 – Nov. 30, 2026
• Phase II: Dec. 4 – Dec. 14, 2026
• Phase III leftovers: Starting Dec. 17, 2026, until filled

Applications open at 10 a.m. Eastern on the first day. Apply at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by choosing "Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permit." Separate special-opportunity spring turkey hunts also take Phase I applications from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.

Didn't draw? FWC lists around 40 WMAs you can hunt without a quota permit for all or part of the spring season. Some use daily permits handed out first-come, first-served at the check station.

Legal Methods and What's Not Allowed

On private land, you can use any legal rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, pistol, bow, crossbow or a pre-charged pneumatic air gun of at least .20 caliber.

On WMAs, the rules are tighter. FWC limits spring turkey hunting to shotguns using No. 2 or smaller shot, bows, crossbows and air guns propelling a bolt or arrow. Rifles and pistols are not allowed.

Everywhere:

• Decoys are allowed.
• No hunting turkeys with dogs.
• No recorded turkey calls or sounds.
• No shooting turkeys on the roost.
• No hunting over bait, and no taking a turkey within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present, per FWC's general regulations.

Log and Report Every Bird

Every hunter, even those exempt from buying a license, must log a harvested turkey before moving it and report it within 24 hours. You also have to report before the bird is processed, given to a taxidermist or taken out of state, whichever comes first. You can log and report in the Fish|Hunt FL app or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, or log on a paper harvest log and report by phone at 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (888-486-8356). You'll need your FWC Customer ID, and the report isn't finished until you get a confirmation number.

Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Rules

During the youth hunts, hunters 15 and younger can harvest a gobbler or bearded turkey, and it counts toward their two-bird spring limit. An adult 18 or older must supervise. A licensed adult with a turkey permit can call the bird in, but can't shoot. Most WMAs that offer the youth hunt require a quota permit, so apply in November with everyone else.

Hunting the Osceola

Florida is the only place in the world to hunt an Osceola wild turkey, which is why hunters chasing a Grand Slam travel here every spring. The National Wild Turkey Federation's Osceola hunt guide says the NWTF recognizes birds in Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Union and Duval counties, and all counties south of them, as Osceolas. FWC's registry line also includes Bradford and Clay counties.

Osceolas are leaner and darker than Eastern birds, and they're known for hanging up just out of range. According to the NWTF, their strongholds are north-central Florida and central Florida between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee.

2027 Spring Turkey Planning Calendar

• November 2026: Apply for quota and special-opportunity permits (Nov. 1–30).
• December 2026 – January 2027: Check drawing results, apply for leftover permits and buy your license and turkey permit.
• February 2027: Scout roost areas, strut zones and the open ground where birds feed. Practice calling and pattern your shotgun at 40 yards.
• Feb. 26 – March 1: Youth hunt south of SR 70.
• March 6: Spring season opens south of SR 70.
• March 12–15: Youth hunt north of SR 70.
• March 20: Spring season opens north of SR 70.
• April 11 and April 25: Seasons close south and north of SR 70.

Quick Tips for Florida Gobblers

• Roost them the night before. Listen at dusk for gobbles and set up close the next morning without bumping them.
• Call less than you think. Pressured Florida birds often go quiet when they hear too much calling.
• Wait for 40 yards. FWC recommends waiting until the bird is within 40 yards and aiming where the red caruncles meet the neck feathers.
• Stay late. Shooting hours run until sunset on private land, and lonely gobblers often come back to the strut zone in the afternoon.
• Bring bug spray. March in Florida means mosquitoes, ticks and warm afternoons.

For a full gear list, read our Ultimate Turkey Hunting Checklist and spring turkey hunting tips.

Florida Spring Turkey Season FAQ

When does Florida spring turkey season start in 2027?

March 6, 2027 south of State Road 70 and March 20, 2027 north of it. The seasons close April 11 and April 25.

When is the Florida youth turkey hunt in 2027?

Feb. 26 – March 1 south of State Road 70 and March 12–15 north of it, according to FWC.

How many turkeys can you kill in Florida in the spring?

Two for all spring seasons combined. On private land you can take both in one day. On WMAs, the limit is one per day.

Can you hunt turkeys in the afternoon in Florida?

Yes, on private land and most WMAs, where shooting hours run until sunset. Some WMAs close at 1 p.m., so check the area's brochure.

Do I need a quota permit to turkey hunt in Florida?

Not on private land. Many WMAs require one for spring turkey season, and Phase I applications run Nov. 1–30, 2026. About 40 WMAs offer hunting without one.

Can I use a rifle for turkeys in Florida?

On private land, yes. On WMAs during spring turkey season, rifles and pistols are not allowed.

When is Florida's fall turkey season?

Fall turkey dates follow the deer hunting zones. See our Florida Hunting Season Dates 2026–2027 guide for fall dates by zone.

Gear Up for Spring

Early-March mornings in north Florida can be cold, and the afternoons get warm fast. Layer up with The Lord Is My Guide® hoodie for the walk in, and put a Hunt One More turkey hunting decal on the truck before opening day.

Trust the process. Trust the hunt. And when the sun's going down, hunt one more.

Keep Reading on Camp Talk

• Florida Hunting Season Dates 2026–2027: Deer & Turkey by Zone
• The Ultimate Turkey Hunting Checklist
• Southeast Deer Rut Dates 2026

Season dates and rules come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's 2026–2027 season dates, limited entry and turkey hunting pages. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with FWC and your WMA brochure before you hunt.