Florida Updates Non-Resident Turkey Hunting Rules for 2026
- Justin Campbell
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
What out-of-state hunters need to know about license costs, access restrictions, and remaining public-land opportunities
Equalized Outdoors Newsroom
January 2026
Florida’s spring turkey season remains one of the most anticipated openers in the country, particularly for hunters pursuing the Osceola wild turkey, a subspecies found only within the state. However, recent regulatory changes adopted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) now require non-resident hunters to adjust their planning, budgeting, and scheduling for Florida turkey hunts.
This update outlines the confirmed changes to non-resident licensing, early-season public-land access restrictions, and—critically—where opportunities still exist for hunters who either missed the quota window or were not drawn for a permit.
| If you’re a non-resident, the 10-day license is no longer valid for turkey. Annual is now the baseline.
Florida Non-Resident Turkey Hunting License Changes and Cost
One of the most consequential changes for non-resident hunters is that the 10-day non-resident hunting license can no longer be used for turkey hunting. While the 10-day license is still offered for general hunting, it is not valid for the take of wild turkeys.
Non-resident turkey hunters must now purchase:
Annual Non-Resident Hunting License – $151.50
Non-Resident Turkey Permit – $125.00
This places the minimum cost to legally hunt turkey in Florida at approximately $276.50, before any additional WMA permits or travel expenses.
Official licensing information is available directly through the FWC, and Turkey permits and licenses are purchased through GoOutdoorsFlorida or county tax collectors. This cost applies whether a hunter is pursuing turkeys on private or public land, in quota hunts, or in non-quota opportunities.
| Some WMAs are now resident-only for the first nine days of the spring season.
Early-Season Restrictions for Non-Residents on Select WMAs
FWC has implemented a rule restricting non-resident turkey hunting during the first nine days of the spring season on select high-pressure Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This restriction applies to specific public properties and is intended to prioritize resident access to heavily used lands.
WMAs affected by these early-season non-resident restrictions include areas such as:
Big Cypress
Herky Huffman / Bull Creek
Jumper Creek
Three Lakes
J.W. Corbett
These restrictions are not statewide across all public lands or universally applicable to private land, but they do affect some of Florida’s most well-known public turkey properties. Hunters planning trips around opening week should verify property-specific rules using official WMA brochures and FWC’s turkey regulations page.
| Missed the draw—or didn’t get drawn? Your season isn’t over.
Still an Opportunity After the Quota Process
Florida’s spring turkey quota application period typically opens in November and closes in mid-December, and naturally, some hunters miss the application window. Others apply on time but are not drawn for a tag. In either case, that outcome does not mean a Florida spring hunt is off the table.
According to FWC’s official 2026 guidance, there remains a substantial list of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that allow spring turkey hunting without a quota permit.
These non-quota units include areas such as:
Blackwater
Yellow River
Choctawhatchee River
Econfina Creek
Chipola River
Telogia Creek
Apalachicola River
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Big Bend
The complete official list is available from FWC here.
These remaining opportunities are especially significant because Florida is the only state in the country where hunters can legally pursue the Osceola wild turkey. For traveling turkey hunters working toward a Grand Slam, Florida remains essential.
Florida is also one of the earliest opening spring turkey states in the nation, meaning legitimate public-land opportunity still exists for hunters who understand where access remains after the quota process concludes.
| Florida isn’t closed to non-residents — but it does require better planning than it used to.
What This Means for Out-of-State Hunters
The practical implications of these changes are clear:
Higher baseline cost: Short-term license use is no longer an option for turkey
Earlier planning required: Quota deadlines arrive months before spring
Property research matters more: Not all WMAs are equal for non-residents
Non-quota options still exist: If you know where to look
None of these changes eliminates opportunity—but they do penalize casual planning. Hunters who want to pursue Osceolas or hunt Florida’s early season successfully must now approach the state with intention.
Official Resources
Hunters should verify regulations directly through FWC before traveling:
Turkey Regulations & Season Info: https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/
Hunt Without Quota Permit (FWC official list): https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/hunt-without-quota-permit/
Licenses & Permits: https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/hunting/
Purchase Portal: https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/