Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68A-13.003 - [Effective until 7/10/2025] Hunting Regulations for Ducks, Geese, and Coots
The Commission has approved the following regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese, and coots:
(1) Duck, light goose, and coot season:
(a) Open season:
1. First phase - Opening the Saturday before
Thanksgiving and closing the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
2. Second phase - Opening 50 days prior to
the last Sunday in January and closing the last Sunday in January.
3. Youth Waterfowl Hunt - The Saturday prior
to the opening of the first phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the
second Saturday following the close of the second phase as specified in
subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be under 16 years of age and must be
accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults with required licenses
and permits for taking waterfowl, unless otherwise exempt from these
requirements, may participate in the hunt, except they may not take wildlife
with a gun. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and
coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules
may also be taken and bag and possession limits for this species will be as
specified in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.
4. Veterans and Active Military Hunt - The
first Saturday and Sunday following the close of the second phase as specified
in subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be veterans or members of the Armed
Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on
active duty. Non-hunting guests with required licenses and permits for taking
waterfowl, unless otherwise exempt from these requirements, may participate in
the hunt, except they may not take wildlife with a gun. Daily bag limits and
species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in
paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules may also be taken and bag and
possession limits for this species will be as specified in Rule
68A-13.008,
F.A.C.
(b) In Leon County
(except below or within the ordinary high water line for Lake Talquin and the
Ochlockonee River) and below the ordinary high water line for Lake Miccosukee
in Jefferson County, waterfowl hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays,
Saturdays and Sundays during the open season. In addition to Wednesdays,
Saturdays and Sundays, waterfowl hunting is permitted on Thanksgiving and the
day after; December 24, 25, 26 and 31; January 1 and 2; Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day (if occurring during the open season described in paragraph (1)(a), above);
and the first, last, and next-to-the-last days of the open season in
subparagraph (1)(a)1. and 2., above.
(c) Waterfowl hunting is permitted only on
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the open season in the State waters of
the Gulf of Mexico in Hernando County north of Raccoon Point (south boundaries
of Sections 35 and 36, T-21-S, R-16-E) and east of Saddle Key as designated by
posted signs.
(d) Shooting hours:
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(e) Limits: The possession limit for ducks
and coots shall be three days' bag limit. There shall be no possession limit
for light geese. Light geese include only snow (including blue) and Ross'
geese.
1. Ducks: The daily bag limit for ducks
is six, including no more than: four mallards, of which only two can be female;
one scaup during the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the
first 31 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2.; two scaup
during the last 20 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2.
and the open seasons specified in subparagraphs (1)(a)3. and (1)(a)4.; four sea
ducks, to include no more than three scoters, three long-tailed ducks or three
eiders, of which only one can be a female eider; three wood ducks; two
redheads; one pintail; two canvasbacks; two black ducks; one Florida duck
(mottled duck); and one fulvous whistling-duck. In addition to the daily bag
limit for ducks, the daily bag limit for mergansers (red-breasted, common,
hooded) is five.
2. Light geese:
The daily bag limit for light geese is 15.
3. Coots: The daily bag limit for coots is
15.
(2) General
restrictions:
(a) The taking of harlequin
ducks, brant, or geese other than light geese as specified in subsection (1),
Canada geese as specified in subsection (4), and geese as specified in Rule
68A-4.001,
68A-15.004,
68A-15.006, or
68A-17.004, is
prohibited.
(b) It shall be illegal
to take ducks, geese or coots with shotshells loaded with any type of shot
other than steel or other nontoxic shot approved for use by the Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
(3) September duck seasons:
(a) Open season:
1. Wood Duck and Teal - Opening eight days
prior to the last Sunday in September and closing four days
thereafter.
2. Teal - Opening three
days prior to the last Sunday in September and closing three days
thereafter.
(b) Shooting
hours: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(c) Limits:
1. Daily bag:
a. The daily bag limit shall be six teal and
wood ducks in the aggregate per day, no more than two of which shall be wood
ducks during the open season as specified in subparagraph (3)(a)1. of this
rule.
b. The daily bag limit shall
be six teal during the open season as specified in subparagraph (3)(a)2. of
this rule.
2. Possession:
The possession limit shall be three days' bag
limit.
(4)
Canada goose season:
(a) Open season:
1. First phase - Opening the first Saturday
in September and closing the last Sunday in September.
2. Second phase - Opening the Saturday before
Thanksgiving and closing the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
3. Third phase - December 1 through January
30.
(b) Shooting hours:
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(c) Limits:
1. Daily bag: The daily bag limit is five
Canada geese.
2. Possession: The
possession limit is fifteen Canada geese.
(5) Falconry:
(a) Ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots may
be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset by the use of a falcon
during the open season. The daily bag limit for all migratory game bird species
shall be three, singly or in the aggregate, and three days' bag may be
possessed.
(b) Open season for
ducks (including mergansers), light geese, and coots: November 3 through
November 12. Opening 8 days after the last Sunday in January and closing 24
days thereafter. The open season specified in paragraphs (1)(a) and (3)(a) of
this rule.
(c) Open season for
Canada geese: The open season as specified in subparagraphs (1)(a)3., (1)(a)4.
and subsection (4) of this rule.
Notes
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.
New 8-1-79, Amended 10-23-79, 8-19-80, 9-29-81, 8-30-82, 7-27-83, 8-13-84, 8-13-85, 10-1-85, Formerly 39-13.03, Amended 8-5-86, 8-24-87, 8-18-88, 12-12-88, 8-17-89, 10-30-89, 8-9-90, 10-31-90, 8-22-91, 10-31-91, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 9-2-93, 10-28-93, 11-6-94, 10-23-95, 10-20-96, 8-7-97, 10-28-97, 11-12-98, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-13.003, Amended 11-7-00, 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 2-1-06, 7-1-06, 1-9-07, 1-8-08, 7-1-08, 1-6-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 1-5-11, 3-25-12, 2-12-13, 1-23-14, 1-19-15, 12-21-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 8-13-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-19 (1)(f)1., 7-1-20, 7-1-22, 4-1-23, 7-1-23, 3-27-24.
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
The Commission has approved the following regulations and bag limits for taking ducks, geese, and coots:
(1) Duck, light goose, and coot season:
(a) Open season:
1. First phase - Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving and closing the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
2. Second phase - Opening 50 days prior to the last Sunday in January and closing the last Sunday in January.
3. Youth Waterfowl Hunt - The Saturday prior to the opening of the first phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the second Saturday following the close of the second phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be under 16 years of age and must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults with required licenses and permits for taking waterfowl, unless otherwise exempt from these requirements, may participate in the hunt, except they may not take wildlife with a gun. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules may also be taken and bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.
4. Veterans and Active Military Hunt - The first Saturday and Sunday following the close of the second phase as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. Hunters must be veterans or members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty. Non-hunting guests with required licenses and permits for taking waterfowl, unless otherwise exempt from these requirements, may participate in the hunt, except they may not take wildlife with a gun. Daily bag limits and species restrictions for ducks, geese, and coots will be as described in paragraphs (1)(e) and (4)(c). Common gallinules may also be taken and bag and possession limits for this species will be as specified in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C.
(b) In Leon County (except below or within the ordinary high water line for Lake Talquin and the Ochlockonee River) and below the ordinary high water line for Lake Miccosukee in Jefferson County, waterfowl hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the open season. In addition to Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, waterfowl hunting is permitted on Thanksgiving and the day after; December 24, 25, 26 and 31; January 1 and 2; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if occurring during the open season described in paragraph (1)(a), above); and the first, last, and next-to-the-last days of the open season in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and 2., above.
(c) Waterfowl hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the open season in the State waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Hernando County north of Raccoon Point (south boundaries of Sections 35 and 36, T-21-S, R-16-E) and east of Saddle Key as designated by posted signs.
(d) Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(e) Limits: The possession limit for ducks and coots shall be three days' bag limit. There shall be no possession limit for light geese. Light geese include only snow (including blue) and Ross' geese.
1. Ducks: The daily bag limit for ducks is six, including no more than: four mallards, of which only two can be female; one scaup during the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. and the first 31 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2.; two scaup during the last 20 days of the open season specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2. and the open seasons specified in subparagraphs (1)(a)3. and (1)(a)4.; four sea ducks, to include no more than three scoters, three long-tailed ducks or three eiders, of which only one can be a female eider; three wood ducks; two redheads; one pintail; two canvasbacks; two black ducks; one Florida duck (mottled duck); and one fulvous whistling-duck. In addition to the daily bag limit for ducks, the daily bag limit for mergansers (red-breasted, common, hooded) is five.
2. Light geese: The daily bag limit for light geese is 15.
3. Coots: The daily bag limit for coots is 15.
(2) General restrictions:
(a) The taking of harlequin ducks, brant, or geese other than light geese as specified in subsection (1), Canada geese as specified in subsection (4), and geese as specified in Rule 68A-4.001, 68A-15.004, 68A-15.006, or 68A-17.004, is prohibited.
(b) It shall be illegal to take ducks, geese or coots with shotshells loaded with any type of shot other than steel or other nontoxic shot approved for use by the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
(3) September duck seasons:
(a) Open season:
1. Wood Duck and Teal - Opening eight days prior to the last Sunday in September and closing four days thereafter.
2. Teal - Opening three days prior to the last Sunday in September and closing three days thereafter.
(b) Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(c) Limits:
1. Daily bag:
a. The daily bag limit shall be six teal and wood ducks in the aggregate per day, no more than two of which shall be wood ducks during the open season as specified in subparagraph (3)(a)1. of this rule.
b. The daily bag limit shall be six teal during the open season as specified in subparagraph (3)(a)2. of this rule.
2. Possession : The possession limit shall be three days' bag limit.
(4) Canada goose season:
(a) Open season:
1. First phase - Opening the first Saturday in September and closing the last Sunday in September.
2. Second phase - Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving and closing the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
3. Third phase - December 1 through January 30.
(b) Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
(c) Limits:
1. Daily bag: The daily bag limit is five Canada geese.
2. Possession : The possession limit is fifteen Canada geese.
(5) Falconry:
(a) Ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset by the use of a falcon during the open season. The daily bag limit for all migratory game bird species shall be three, singly or in the aggregate, and three days' bag may be possessed.
(b) Open season for ducks (including mergansers), light geese, and coots: November 3 through November 12. Opening 8 days after the last Sunday in January and closing 24 days thereafter. The open season specified in paragraphs (1)(a) and (3)(a) of this rule.
(c) Open season for Canada geese: The open season as specified in subparagraphs (1)(a)3., (1)(a)4. and subsection (4) of this rule.
Notes
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.
New 8-1-79, Amended 10-23-79, 8-19-80, 9-29-81, 8-30-82, 7-27-83, 8-13-84, 8-13-85, 10-1-85, Formerly 39-13.03, Amended 8-5-86, 8-24-87, 8-18-88, 12-12-88, 8-17-89, 10-30-89, 8-9-90, 10-31-90, 8-22-91, 10-31-91, 8-23-92, 10-22-92, 9-2-93, 10-28-93, 11-6-94, 10-23-95, 10-20-96, 8-7-97, 10-28-97, 11-12-98, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-13.003, Amended 11-7-00, 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 2-1-06, 7-1-06, 1-9-07, 1-8-08, 7-1-08, 1-6-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 1-5-11, 3-25-12, 2-12-13, 1-23-14, 1-19-15, 12-21-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 8-13-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-19 (1)(f)1., 7-1-20, 7-1-22, 4-1-23, 7-1-23, 3-27-24.