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Florida Hunting Laws

Florida caps semi-automatic centerfire rifles at a 5-round magazine (unless plugged) for taking game, bans rimfire cartridges and non-expanding full-metal-case ammunition for deer and bear, and sets minimum calibers for muzzleloaders and air guns rather than for standard centerfire rifles.

Rules checked against Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Regulations Year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified Rules on File
26
Rules Pending Review
0
Zones With Special Rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission →

Check a Cartridge in Florida

Results update as you choose.

Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.

Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle

2 rules
All species

Centerfire semi-automatic rifles may hold no more than 5 rounds, unless plugged down to that capacity with a one-piece filler.

"Use of a centerfire semi-automatic rifle having a magazine capable of holding more than five rounds is prohibited, unless the magazine is plugged with a one-piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the ..."

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Non-expanding full metal case (military ball) ammunition may not be used for deer or bear.

"The use of non-expanding, full metal case (military ball) ammunition is prohibited for taking deer or bear."

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

Rifle and Handgun

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Rimfire cartridges may not be used to take deer or bear.

"Firearms using any rimfire cartridge are prohibited for taking deer or bear."

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

No minimum caliber — any centerfire cartridge is legal for deer or bear (rimfire is the only prohibited class).

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

Rifle, Shotgun, Handgun, Muzzleloader, Air Gun, Archery, and Crossbow

1 rule
Wild Turkey

Outside the WMA system, any legal rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, crossbow, bow, or .20-caliber-or-larger PCP air gun may take turkey.

"Any legal rifle, shotgun, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns of at least .20-caliber, muzzleloader, crossbow, bow or pistol may be used to take turkeys."

2026 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide — legal weapons · verified Aug 2026

Shotgun

1 rule
Wild Turkey

On wildlife management areas, shotgun shot for turkey must be size #2 or smaller (no rifles or handguns listed as legal WMA turkey weapons).

"Any legal shotgun using #2 or smaller shot size, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt or arrow, crossbow, or bow may be used to take wild turkeys."

2026 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide — WMA regulations · verified Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Muzzleloaders firing a single bullet must be at least .30 caliber; muzzleloaders firing two or more balls must be at least 20 gauge.

"Muzzleloading guns of less than .30 caliber firing a single bullet or of less than 20 gauge firing two or more balls, are prohibited for taking deer or bear."

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

Air Gun

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Black Bear

Pre-charged pneumatic air guns must be at least .30 caliber (firing a single projectile) to take deer or bear.

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

Wild Turkey

Pre-charged pneumatic air guns must be at least .20 caliber to take wild turkey.

68A-12.002 · verified Aug 2026

All Weapons

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer

On public lands, deer hunters (and their companions) must wear at least 500 sq. in. of daylight fluorescent orange above the waist, except during archery-only season; not required on private land.

"It is unlawful to hunt deer or to accompany another person hunting deer on public lands unless each person is wearing a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material as an outer garment."

Hunting Regulations: General Information · verified Aug 2026

All species

Florida dropped its suppressor ban at the end of 2014 and suppressors are legal for every species. The current methods-of-take rule, 68A-12.002, says nothing about suppressors at all; the only firearm type it bans is fully automatic. Individual Wildlife and Environmental Area brochures can still add site-specific weapon rules, so check the brochure for the area you are hunting.

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to remove certain restrictions on methods for taking game birds, crows or game animals. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to allow noise-suppressed (i.e., ..."

Notice of Proposed Rule 68A-12.002 — PURPOSE and SUMMARY · verified Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in Florida on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

2026 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide | FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · retrieved August 30, 2026
Fla. Admin. Code R. 68A-12.002 — General Methods of Taking Game and Crows; Prohibitions Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission / Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org) · retrieved August 30, 2026
Hunting Regulations: General Information | FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · retrieved August 30, 2026
Notice of Proposed Rule 68A-12.002 (Notice 15128719), Florida Administrative Register Vol. 40/193 — removal of the noise-suppressed firearm prohibition Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services (rulemaking record for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) · retrieved October 11, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations are the final word.