The Florida turkey season draws hunters from far and wide to complete their slam (a recognized harvesting of a set of turkey subspecies) due to one special bird found only in Florida: the Osceola turkey.
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.
Updated May 15, 2025
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 2026
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 13 through 16, 2026
Spring turkey season: March 21 through April 26, 2026
South of State Road 70
Youth turkey hunt weekend: February 27 through March 2, 2026
Spring turkey season: March 7 through April 12, 2026
Fall
The Fall season is divided into several hunting zones that are further distinguished by types of firearms.
Zone A
Archery: August 2 – 31, 2025 Crossbow: August 2 – September 5, 2025 Muzzleloader: September 6 – 19, 2025 Fall Season: October 6 – 19, 2025 and November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Zone B
Archery: October 18 – November 16, 2025 Crossbow: October 18 – November 21, 2025 Muzzleloader: November 22 – December 5, 2025 Fall Season: December 6, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Zone C
Archery: September 13 – October 12, 2025 Crossbow: September 13 – October 17, 2025 Muzzleloader: October 18 – 31, 2025 Fall Season: November 1 – December 28, 2025
Zone D
Archery: October 25 – November 26, 2025 Crossbow: October 25 – November 26 and December 1 – 5, 2025 Muzzleloader: December 6 – 12, 2025 Fall Season: November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026
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 mean 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 Bring a Turkey Home
Success in hunting Osceola turkeys 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.
From the exhilarating pursuit of turkeys across vast plains to the strategic navigation of expansive woodlands, North Minnesota offers a turkey hunting experience that is not just a sport but a journey steeped in history and strong tradition.
Read More
Whether you're looking to complete your Turkey Grand Slam or want to test your turkey hunting skills, hunters know that the Osceola (or Florida) turkey is the one to go for. Read More
From the exhilarating pursuit of turkeys across vast plains to the strategic navigation of expansive woodlands, North Minnesota offers a turkey hunting experience that is not just a sport but a journey steeped in history and strong tradition.
Read More
Whether you're looking to complete your Turkey Grand Slam or want to test your turkey hunting skills, hunters know that the Osceola (or Florida) turkey is the one to go for. Read More