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The Daily Insight

Where can you duck hunt in Florida?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on March 14, 2026

One of the best duck spots in Florida is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, on the east-central coast near the town of Titusville.

In this regard, can you duck hunt in Florida?

Don't Miss The Excellent Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities Florida Has To Offer. Biologists say up to 25 percent of the Atlantic Flyway duck population winters in Florida: somewhere between 2 million and 4 million birds. But unlike many other top waterfowl states, much of Florida's best duck hunting is open to the public

Also, where is the best place to duck hunt? 15 Great Places to Hunt Waterfowl

  1. Southern Saskatchewan. By virtually any measure, Saskatchewan would rank high among North America's best places to hunt waterfowl.
  2. Eastern North Dakota.
  3. Central Valley of California.
  4. South Louisiana.
  5. Peace River Country, Alberta.
  6. Texas Panhandle.
  7. Eastern Arkansas.
  8. Great Salt Lake, Utah.

In this way, where can I hunt in Florida?

Hunting Florida's national wildlife refuges (NWR)

  • Chassahowitzka NWR, 1502 Southeast Kings Bay Dr., Crystal River, FL 34429; 352-563-2088.
  • Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 12085 State Road 29 South, Immokalee FL 34142; 239-657-8001.
  • A.R.M.
  • Lower Suwannee NWR, 16450 NW 31st Place, Chiefland, FL 32626; 352-493-0238.

Can you duck hunt anywhere?

You absolutely must know your duck species to duck hunt legally practically anywhere. This is because not all ducks are fair game at the same time, and depending on conservation, they may not be available to hunt at all during some seasons – even if they were last year.

Related Question Answers

Can you shoot ducks sitting on the water?

It's not illegal for ducks or any bird, at least where my friends and I hunt, but it is generally frowned upon. Also worth noting, if you are dispatching a wounded duck that's trying to swim away but can no longer fly it's both perfectly legal and socially acceptable to shoot it on the water.

What Animals Can you hunt without a license in Florida?

On private property with landowner permission, wild pigs may be trapped and hunted year-round with no bag limit and no hunting license required. Hogs may also be taken during most hunting seasons on public land, but a permit is required and there are additional restrictions.

Can you shoot black bellied whistling ducks in Florida?

Coffey had an opportunity last year to hunt waterfowl at central Florida's T.M. “Florida waterfowl hunters have great opportunities, especially with duck species like the black-bellied whistling duck and the fulvous whistling duck, where populations in the U.S. mainly occur in Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

How many wood ducks can you kill in Florida?

** During Teal and Wood Duck only - 6 (of which only 2 can be wood ducks) Teal Only - 6, General Duck - 6, including no more than 2 mallards (of which only 1 can be female), 4 scoters, 4 eiders, 4 long-tailed ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck) and 1

Is it illegal to shoot crows in Florida?

The crow is the one migratory species open for Florida varmint hunting.

Can you shoot whistling ducks?

Although they are legal game birds, relatively few black-bellied whistling ducks end up on Texas waterfowlers' duck straps. Federal harvest estimates indicate Texas hunters took an annual average of about 4,000 blackbellies over the past 15 hunting seasons.

What is needed to hunt ducks in Florida?

Required for those who hunt migratory waterfowl in Florida and are 16 years of age or older. A current Federal Duck Stamp must be used in conjunction with a migratory bird permit as well as a hunting license and Florida waterfowl permit (unless exempt).

How many shells can you have duck hunting?

Duck hunters are only allowed to use a shotgun, 10 gauge or smaller, that carries no more than three shells. If the shotgun carries more than three shells, the hunter is required to “plug” the gun so that only three shots can be fired before reloading.

Can I shoot a deer on my property in Florida?

Shooting or propelling potentially lethal projectiles over or across private land without authorization in order to take game is considered criminal trespassing and is a felony. Taking deer is prohibited by any method in the Florida Keys.

How many acres do you need to hunt in Florida?

Persons who own, lease or otherwise have written permission to take deer on properties of at least 640 contiguous acres, or not less than 150 contiguous acres if adjoining land with a current permit, may apply for antlerless deer permits and tags to authorize the harvest of a specific number of antlerless deer on the

Can I shoot a snake on my property in Florida?

Because of a recent executive order you don't even need a hunting license or wildlife management area permit. The FWC says you can kill these snakes with a gun (as long as it's on private property and you have permission), your fists, a snake hook, whatever – as long as it's considered humane, you'll get that shirt.

What Animals Can you kill without a license?

Legal ways to kill skunks, squirrels, raccoons, woodchucks, other pesky animals
  • By David Figura l .
  • Woodchucks (unprotected species)
  • Raccoons (protected species)
  • Cottontail rabbits (protected species)
  • Skunks (protected species)
  • Opossum (protected species)
  • Porcupine (unprotected species)

Do you need a hunting license to hunt on your own property in Florida?

3. Hunters are required to follow state regulations even on private land. Hogs may be hunted on private land without a state license. They may also be hunted at night on private land.

Where is the best hunting in Florida?

Hunting in Florida: Top Spots for Hunting in the Sunshine State
  • Roberts Ranch, Palatka. If you are new to Florida, visiting or just looking for a good hunt, then look no further than Roberts Ranch.
  • Apalachicola National Forest, Florida Panhandle. This wildlife management area covers just less than 600,000 acres.
  • Hog Hunting.
  • VOTE NOW: Is Florida Gov.
  • Small Game.
  • Related Stories:

Do I need a hunting license to hunt hogs in Florida?

Wild hogs may be trapped and hunted year-round with landowner permission. A hunting license is not required, and a permit is not required to take wild hogs at night with a gun and light with landowner permission.

What can you hunt year round in Florida?

Hunting in Florida: 3 Animals To Hunt Year-Round
  • Rabbit. Rabbit can be hunted year round in all four management zones in Florida. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, and pistols, may take rabbits at any time.
  • Wild Hog. Wild hog has no bag limit and can be hunted year round in Florida.
  • Small Game.

Can you go hunting in Florida?

Florida residents and visitors need a Florida hunting license, (in addition to other required permits) unless they are exempt. The limited entry permit program offers quality hunting on WMAs. For some hunts/times, no quota permit is required.

What time of day is best for duck hunting?

Time of Day: It is believed that the best time to hunt for waterfowl is during the first hours of the morning after dawn.

How many ducks are killed by hunters a year?

Hunters killed a mere 23,391 mallards in 2018-19, down from 86,315 in 2017.

What state kills the most ducks?

1: California. Ultimately, the contest wasn't close. Golden State waterfowlers averaged 24.5 ducks per hunter in 2016 (that's more than 1.15 million ducks taken by about 47,100 folks, if you're interested).

What is the best dog for duck hunting?

Labrador Retriever

Can you duck hunt on the Hunter call of the wild?

You can basically shoot a duck anywhere in the main body to kill them. Just don't shoot the feet or lower body. When you shoot one, they will all spook and fly int he opposite direction you shot, you can try to shoot them with a shotgun, but this will not be affective unless you're lucky.

How far can a duck migrate in one day?

800 miles

What is the duck capital of the world?

Stuttgart

What state produces the most Duck?

Indiana

What is the rarest duck in North America?

drake mallard

Can you shoot ducks on your own property?

The NSW General Game Hunting Licence (G-Licence) allows individuals to hunt game birds, including native ducks on private land.

Can you duck hunt by yourself?

Duck hunting by yourself can be an extremely enjoyable time. Sure, going out with a hunting guide, friends or family members is great but to occasionally get out duck hunting all on your own can be a very enjoyable experience.

Is it legal to shoot dove on the ground?

Mourning dove are game animals,therefore illegal and unsportsman. The only small bird I have hunted is woodcock. I've only shot when they are in the air, but of course they blend in too well to see them when they're on the ground.

What is best choke for duck hunting?

For ducks and geese that are close, improved cylinder or even skeet constriction choke work well. If the birds are farther out, a modified choke tube is better.

Do you need a blind to Duck Hunt?

Many of my best hunts have come as I've huddled in brush, leaned against trees, or sprawled in muddy fields or on sandbars. In other words, a fancy blind or pit is a wonderful amenity but not a requirement for duck hunting success.

How do you legally bait ducks?

Baiting is the use of corn or grain to lure ducks and geese within shotgun range. The usual approach is to broadcast it in the shallows surrounding a blind. The birds cannot resist this easily obtained food, as the market gunners of years past well knew.

Can you duck hunt without decoys?

Many people believe that it is absolutely necessary to have decoys to be able to duck hunt. Although having decoys often does not hurt your ability to harvest your limit of ducks, and often times it helps, with some planning it is possible to still bag ducks when duck hunting without decoys.

What makes a good duck hunting spot?

The best times to scout are dawn and dusk, when ducks are on the move. Take a good pair of binoculars for better long-range viewing. Pay special attention to watershed areas between two refuges or large duck concentration areas. Take binoculars for viewing and a GPS to mark potential hunting spots.

Why is baiting ducks illegal?

If, for whatever reason, an agricultural crop or a portion of an agricultural crop has not been harvested (i.e., equipment failure, weather, insect infestation, disease, etc.) and the crop or remaining portion of the crop has been manipulated, then the area is a baited area and cannot be legally hunted for waterfowl.