Florida: (rules for private lands)
Resident game birds and mammals:
Rifles, shotguns, pistols, longbows, compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows and birds of prey (falcons, hawks and great horned owls) may be used. Longbows, compound bows and recurve bows must have minimum draw weights of 35 pounds. Hand-held releases may be used. Arrows and bolts used to take deer, turkeys or bears must be equipped with broadheads having at least two sharpened edges with
minimum widths of 7/8 inch. Nonmigratory game can be taken from stationary vehicles. Gray squirrels and rabbits are the only game animals that can be taken with air guns.
Hunting deer and bears with a muzzleloader:
Muzzleloading guns firing single bullets must be at least .40-caliber. Muzzleloading guns firing two or more balls must be 20-gauge or larger.
Migratory game birds:
Shotguns (not larger than 10-gauge) plugged to a three-shell capacity including a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun and are incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, birds of prey, bows and crossbows may be used.
Prohibited methods and equipment for taking game
This document doesn’t address or advise persons as to local ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms or as to the validity of such ordinances.
Taking migratory game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds (plugged)
Centerfire semi-automatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds
Nonexpanding full metal case (military ball) ammunition for taking deer and bears
Firearms using rimfire cartridges for taking deer and bears
Rifles or pistols for taking migratory game birds
Fully automatic firearms
Explosive or drug-injecting arrows
Taking or attempting to take game with live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial lights, nets, traps, snares, drugs or poisons
Shooting from vehicles, powerboats or sailboats moving under power. Motors must be shut off or sails furled, and the vessel’s progress must cease from such motor or sail before hunters may take game.
Herding or driving game with vehicles, boats or aircraft
Hunting turkeys and bears with dogs
Taking turkeys while they are on the roost
Taking migratory game birds over baited areas
Taking turkeys when the hunter is within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present
Taking bears when either the hunter or bear is within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present
Taking spotted fawn deer or swimming deer
Using bows equipped with sights or aiming devices with electronic computational capabilities or light projection (laser) features during any archery season
Using bows with draw weights less than 35 pounds
Using dogs without collars that identify the owners name and address
Using dogs on private lands without written landowner permission (see Statewide deer-dog registration in General Information)
Taking game with modern firearms while hunting during any archery, crossbow or muzzleloading gun season
Placing, exposing or distributing soporific, anesthetic, tranquilizer, hypnotic or similar drugs or chemicals; preparation by baits; or by other means where game birds or game animals may be affected, unless authorized by permit from the FWC executive director
Each WMA has their own set of rules depending on where they are, such as the one nearest me:
Upper Hillsborough:
Guns:
Only shotguns are allowed for hunting during the small game season, except gray squirrel and rabbit may be hunted with air guns.
Only bows, crossbows and shotguns are allowed for hunting during the spring turkey season.
Only shotguns and centerfire handguns are allowed for hunting during the wild hog-dog season.
Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .40 caliber or larger, if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, centerfire handguns, muzzleloading guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
For hunting migratory game, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
Hunting with full automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
