HOME > HUNTING > REGULATIONS > SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY HUNTS

Special Opportunity Hunts

Permit Periods  |  Deer, Hog & Turkey |  Dove |  Testimonials  |  Licenses & Permits

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled some special hunting opportunities for sportsmen. These special-opportunity hunts make available large areas with lots of game and low hunter quotas and provide excellent opportunities to bag trophy deer, wild hogs, wild turkeys or doves. Hunters looking for a truly "special" hunt with a high chance of seeing and bagging game should look no further.

If this type of hunting sounds exciting to you, read on for application and permit information.

Permit Application Periods

1. Special-Opportunity deer, hog, and released quail hunt worksheets are available mid April from FWC offices and on-line. Permits are issued by random selection from applications submitted 10:00am (eastern) May 9 through midnight June 14.
    
2. Special-Opportunity spring turkey worksheets are available early September from FWC offices and on-line. Permits are issued by random selection from applications submitted 10:00am (eastern) September 12 through midnight October 17.
    
3. Special-Opportunity dove club worksheets are available mid June from FWC offices and online. Permits are sold first-come, first-served beginning 10:00am (eastern) July 1 through midnight September 10.
    
4. Special-Opportunity daily dove worksheets are available late August from FWC offices and online. Permits are sold first-come, first served beginning 10:00am September 18.
    

Deer, Hog and Turkey Hunts

Usually the demand for the deer, hog and turkey hunts is greater than the number of slots available, so a random drawing is conducted to select hunters. Hunters can submit as many applications as they want, and many hunters increase their chances by submitting several applications for their dream hunt. There is a $5 non-refundable application fee that must be submitted with each separate application. You can get your application for special-opportunity hunts from any Commission office and here on this web page.

If a selected applicant does not purchase his special-opportunity permit by a specific deadline, the Commission will offer the permit to another randomly selected applicant.

• 2004-2005 Harvest Data
• Drawing Results
• Apply for Special-Opportunity Permits Here

Dove Hunts

Quality dove hunting opportunities are in high demand, but are often hard to find. That's why the FWC is proud of its successful efforts to deliver great dove hunting opportunities at sites throughout the state. The friendly social atmosphere surrounding dove hunts is the perfect setting for friends and family, including youngsters, to hunt together. Why choose a special-opportunity dove hunt? Because these hunts open the gates to larges areas with lots of game and low hunter quotas.

Buy a Dove Club (annual) Permit for $150 and save more than 50% over the cost of purchasing daily permits for an entire hunting season. These non-transferable permits allow the holder and a youth (under age 16) to participate in all scheduled hunts for a particular field. When an adult hunter with a club permit is accompanied by a youth, they both may take a bag limit. Dove Club permits go on sale in July. Applications are sold on a first-come, first served basis. Application deadline is September 10.

Daily special-opportunity dove hunt permits are available two weeks before the opening day of the first phase of the dove season. A $45.50 Combination (Youth/Adult) Permit allows an adult and a youth (under age16) to hunt together on a half-day hunt and for each to harvest a daily bag limit of birds. A regular $35.50 Special-Opportunity Dove Permit does allow an adult and a minor (under age16) to hunt together, but only allows 1 daily bag limit of birds to be harvested between them. Beginning in late September, up-to-date information on field conditions and dove numbers will be available by visiting the Dove Hunter's Hotline or by calling 1-850-875-BIRD (2473).

• Dove Club Permit Worksheet
• Dove Hunters Hotline
• Dove Hunt Brochures
• License & Permit Requirements
• How to buy a Permit

These special-opportunity hunts are provided in cooperation with the Florida Division of Forestry, Manatee County, The South Florida Water Management District, South West Florida Water Management District, and the St. Johns River Water Management District.  The FWC is very appreciative of their cooperation and support for these truly special hunts.

Special-opportunity hunt testimonials:

• “A memory of this hunt will last as long as I do, thanks to the people who came up with this great hunting opportunity.”
  David Clark Lakeland, FL
   
• “This is the best five days I’ve spent in the woods in a long time. Even if I didn’t bag a bird, the wildlife and scenery were fantastic!”
  James E. Schwalen Pompano Beach, FL
   
• “A Wonderful opportunity. This is the way it’s supposed to be!”
  Ted Hopner, Jr. Orlando, FL
   
• “Overall hunt was excellent. I saw lots of wildlife, and agency staff was great.”
  Jerry Gibson St. Petersburg, FL
   
• “I want more special-opportunity hunts.”
  Ted Roberts Eustis, FL
   
• “This is quality hunting. Keep it up.”
  James Preston Deland, FL
   
• “Best turkey hunt I ever had.”
  Robert Zammit Palm Coast, FL
   
• “I thoroughly enjoyed the hunt.”
  Curtis Snyder Tampa, FL

Licenses and Permits

• FWC's Total Licensing System