Rabbit hunting season in Florida works differently from almost every other state. Most states open rabbit season in the fall and close it by late winter, but Florida has no closed season on rabbits at all. That sounds simple, yet the real rules hide in the details: bag limits, license types, and the way wildlife management area (WMA) regulations can override the statewide rules.
This article walks you through each piece you need before you load a shotgun and head into the palmettos. You will see the dates, the species, the limits, the paperwork, the legal weapons, and the public land rules that apply to you. Florida also has deer, turkey, and dove seasons that overlap with small game, so you may want to check our guides on deer hunting season in Florida and dove hunting season in Florida if you plan to hunt more than one species in a trip.
Important Note: Some third-party sites list a rabbit season of roughly November through early March, and others say September through March. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) season table and several 2026-2027 guides list rabbit as open year-round, so treat the “fall-only” claims as outdated or incorrect and confirm with FWC before you hunt.
Rabbit Hunting Season Dates in Florida
You can hunt rabbits in Florida every day of the year, at least on private land. The 2026-2027 Florida hunting seasons overview lists rabbit as year-round with a daily limit of 12. AskHunting’s Florida guide agrees, listing both rabbit and gray squirrel as year-round with fall and winter as the best months.
Florida’s four-zone system sets different dates for deer and some other species, but it does not change rabbit dates. The zone system matters mainly if you are combining a rabbit hunt with a deer or turkey trip.
Year-round does not mean year-round everywhere. Public land is where the calendar gets complicated, because individual WMAs set their own schedules. Sando Criminal Defense’s regulations summary notes that WMA regulations override statewide rules, so always read the brochure for the specific area you plan to hunt.
Best Months to Hunt Rabbits
Legal and productive are two different things. HuntWise reports that November through February are generally the best months for rabbit hunting nationwide, since falling leaves reduce cover and cooler temperatures push rabbits to move in daylight. In Florida, December through February also lines up with cooler weather and fewer snakes and insects, which makes for more comfortable days afield.
Which Rabbit and Hare Species You Can Hunt in Florida
You will not find hares in Florida. Florida has rabbits, and AskHunting specifically notes that hare, jackrabbit, groundhog, woodchuck, and prairie dog are not part of the statewide season table. Your targets are cottontails and their wetland cousins.
The eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the rabbit most hunters pursue. It thrives in pine plantations, abandoned fields, and brushy fence lines, and Florida Sportsman points to sandy roads, logging trails, burned palmetto flats, and scrub oaks as places to look.
Swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) live in river bottoms, marshy forests, and wetland edges, mostly in northern and central Florida. According to Dive Bomb Industries, they prefer dense cover close to water and often bed in cane breaks, cypress stands, and palmetto flats.
The marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) is a third species found along Florida’s coasts and wetlands. Wikipedia’s marsh rabbit entry explains that the Lower Keys subspecies is threatened by rising sea levels and development. Do not shoot rabbits in the Lower Keys, and confirm the legal status of any rabbit before you pull the trigger.
| Species | Typical Florida Habitat | Best Region |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cottontail | Pine plantations, fence lines, palmetto flats, scrub oak | Statewide, especially north and central |
| Swamp Rabbit | River bottoms, cypress stands, cane breaks | Northern and central Florida |
| Marsh Rabbit | Marshes, swamps, coastal waters | Coastal and southern Florida (Lower Keys subspecies is threatened) |
Rabbit Hunting Bag and Possession Limits in Florida
Florida allows a daily bag limit of 12 rabbits and a possession limit of 24. The Florida eRegulations page for other wildlife seasons lists these exact numbers for rabbits, and gray squirrels share the same 12 and 24 limits.
The FWC’s season dates and bag limits page carries the same rabbit limits for the 2026-2027 resident game and furbearer table. That consistency across state and third-party sources makes this one of the safer numbers to rely on.
| Limit Type | Rabbits | Gray Squirrels |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Bag Limit | 12 | 12 |
| Possession Limit | 24 | 24 |
Possession limits matter most on multi-day trips. If you hunt two days in a row and take 12 each day, you are at 24 and should not take more until you have eaten or otherwise disposed of some of them. Some WMAs set tighter limits than the statewide numbers, so check the area brochure.
Pro Tip: Clean and cool rabbits as soon as possible after the hunt. Florida Sportsman says this prevents the “gamey” flavor that puts many people off small game, and slow-cooking in a stew does the rest.
Licenses and Permits Required to Hunt Rabbits in Florida
You need a Florida hunting license to hunt rabbits unless you qualify for an exemption. HuntingSeasons.org lists the base requirement as a hunting license, with extra permits often needed for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and WMA access. Rabbits do not require the deer or turkey permits, so a standard license covers the species itself.
Hunter education is the other piece. The same source says the hunter safety rule mainly affects hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, who must complete a course before buying a license. A Hunter Safety Mentoring Deferral is available for new hunters, and Florida accepts hunter education from other states.
For public land, expect to need a management area permit on top of your license. If you hunt a WMA, check the brochure for that specific area, since permit requirements differ from one WMA to the next. If you are also planning to hunt other species on the same trip, our guides to turkey hunting season in Florida and duck hunting laws in Florida cover the added permits.
Important Note: License fees and exemptions change, and the sources I reviewed did not give a dated fee schedule for 2026. Check the FWC licensing page for current prices and the specific license type that fits residents, nonresidents, and youth.
Legal Hunting Methods and Weapons for Rabbits in Florida
Florida is generous about weapons. The eRegulations listing states that rifles, shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, air guns, crossbows, and bows may all be used for rabbits.
That gives you real options depending on the terrain and your style. A 20- or 12-gauge shotgun with light small game loads is the classic choice, and Dive Bomb Industries recommends it for quick shooting in tight cover. Florida Sportsman’s author prefers a full-choked .410 but calls a .17 HMR a fun tool.
Hunting Techniques That Work in Florida Cover
Walk-up hunting suits Florida’s thick palmetto and pine habitat. One Outdoors describes it as walking slowly through brushy habitat, kicking cover, and stopping often, which gives you a quick 15 to 25 yard shotgun shot on cottontails that hold tight.
Beagles are another option. One Outdoors notes that cottontails have a home range of 5 to 10 acres and tend to circle back within 20 to 40 yards of where they were first flushed, so a dog can push the rabbit past you.
- Pick brushy edges, fence lines, or burned palmetto flats.
- Move slowly and stop often to make rabbits nervous enough to flush.
- Kick brush piles and heavy cover along the way.
- Watch the wind and look for natural escape routes.
- Take the shot only when you have a safe, clear lane.
Shooting Hours and Sunday Hunting Rules for Rabbit Hunting in Florida
The sources I reviewed did not list statewide shooting hours for rabbits on private land, and I will not guess at them. Because the season is open year-round with no closed days listed, Florida does not appear to restrict rabbit hunting by day of the week. Even so, confirm current rules with FWC before you plan a Sunday hunt.
Public land is more restrictive. The Florida Administrative Code rule on miscellaneous areas, available through Cornell Law’s Legal Information Institute, shows that WMAs can define their own access hours, with some hunts running from sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. That version of the rule was marked as effective only until July 1, 2025, so use it as an example of how WMA hours work, not as a current rule.
Rabbit behavior also shapes when you should hunt. HuntWise says the best times are early morning and late afternoon, when rabbits move to feed and avoid predators.
Hunter Orange and Public Land Rules for Rabbit Hunting in Florida
Florida has more than 6 million acres in its WMA system, according to Hunting Locator, which makes public land the main way to hunt rabbits without a lease. Hunt Anywhere quotes the FWC describing hunts that include quota and limited entry hunts, special opportunity hunts, and walk-on public hunting areas.
My research did not turn up a clear statewide hunter orange requirement for rabbit hunters. WMA rules, especially during deer gun seasons, often require orange for everyone in the field. Wear a blaze orange vest or hat anyway when other hunters are in the woods, since it costs almost nothing and improves your safety.
Before you head out, run through this checklist:
- Read the specific WMA brochure for allowed species, dates, and bag limits.
- Check whether a quota permit or management area permit is required.
- Note overlapping deer, turkey, or hog hunts that could change access or orange requirements.
- Carry your license and proof of hunter education.
AskHunting suggests Blackwater WMA for small game hunters who like pine woods and Green Swamp WMA for those chasing rabbits, squirrels, and hogs in wet conditions. If a WMA brochure conflicts with anything you read here, follow the brochure.
Pro Tip: Rabbit season never closes, but deer gun seasons and quota hunts can crowd public land. Hunting a WMA on a weekday or outside peak deer weeks gives you more room and fewer safety headaches.
Florida’s year-round rabbit season, 12-rabbit daily limit, and wide choice of weapons make it one of the easiest places in the country to start small game hunting. Confirm license requirements and WMA rules with FWC, pack your shotgun and orange, and plan your hunt for the cooler months. If bears are on your list too, take a look at our bear hunting season in Florida guide.