Hunting and Fishing License FAQs

	Who is considered a resident of Florida?
	I am a resident of Florida but do not drive. What forms of proof of residency are accepted?
	Where can I go to get a hunting or fishing license?
	How much do licenses cost and how long are they good for?
	What are the age restrictions and requirements for obtaining a one year residential fishing or hunting license?
	What do I need, as a senior citizen, to hunt and fish in the state of Florida?
	What does a senior hunting/fishing license certificate cover and where do I get it?
	Does a non-resident person, 65 years of age or older, need a saltwater fishing license?
	Who does not need a license?
	How do I obtain a disabled person’s fishing license and what paperwork do I need?
	How do I obtain a 5 year or lifetime license, what paperwork do I need?
	What is the cost of a 5-year or lifetime license?
	Can I use my license anywhere in the state?
	Where do I go, what do I need to bring and what is the cost to obtain a replacement for a lost license?
	Can I buy licenses on-line or by telephone?
	How do I obtain a swordfish, sailfish or tuna permit?
	How do I obtain a federal migratory bird stamp?
	Who needs a duck stamp?
	When is crawfish sport season?
	What is the hunter education course?
	Is hunter education certification from another state accepted in Florida?
	What does a youth need to do to fish legally?
	How do I obtain an alligator trapping permit?
	Is there a limit to the number of permits that are available?
	How much is an alligator permit?
	Are there age restrictions for obtaining an alligator permit?
	When will the licensed trapper be able to hunt alligators?

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Q.  Who is considered a resident of Florida?

A.  For the purpose of fishing in Florida, a person is a resident if he or she has lived in Florida for six continuous months prior to applying for licenses and who intends to continue to reside in Florida and claim Florida as his or her primary residence.

Active military personnel stationed in Florida, including their spouses and dependent children residing in the household, are considered residents when purchasing fishing licenses.

Q.  I am a resident of Florida but do not drive, what forms of proof of residency are accepted?

A.  The following documents are valid proof of residency.
Please note: a Florida identification card will not be accepted as proof of residency.

Florida drivers license  ("Florida only" or Florida id card is not acceptable per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Florida homestead exemption

Notarized statement from the current landlord attesting to six (6) months of residency

Florida voter's registration card

Military orders showing that applicant is stationed in Florida

Florida voter's registration card

or both of the following:

Florida voter's registration card and Florida motor vehicle registration

Q.  Where can I go to get a hunting or fishing license?

A.  Recreational licenses and permits for residents and nonresidents are available at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 South Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL in addition, licenses are available from subagents, such as sporting goods stores or other retailers selling hunting or fishing equipment and many bait and tackle stores.  Licenses and permits may be purchased online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website at Floridaconservation.org/. Licenses may also be purchased by telephone by dialing toll-free, either 1-888-hunt-Florida (486-8356) or 1-888-fish-Florida (347-4356) from anywhere in the United States or Canada. (additional fees for this service may be added to your purchase)

Click here for a list of sub-agents by city
Click here for an alphabetical list of all Broward County sub-agents

Q.  How much do licenses cost and how long are they good for?

Saltwater & Fresh Water Fishing - Florida residents only

Q.  What are the age restrictions and requirements for obtaining a one year residential fishing or hunting license?

A.  All persons age 16 through 64 are required to have a license.

Q.  What do I need, as a senior citizen, to hunt and fish in the state of Florida?

A.  At age 65, photo id proof of residency (typically a drivers license) is all that is required.

Q.  What does a senior hunting/fishing license certificate cover and where do I get it?

A.  A resident permanent senior license, for those 65 years old and older, authorizes the holder to take or attempt to take freshwater or most saltwater fish and game consistent with state and federal regulations and the rules of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at the time of taking. The holder of this license may engage in all activities authorized by saltwater and freshwater fishing licenses, a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun permit, a turkey permit, an archery permit and a Florida waterfowl permit. These licenses are available from Broward County Revenue Collection only at 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

Q.  Does a non-resident person, 65 years of age or older, need a saltwater fishing license?

A.  Yes.  Licenses are available at Broward County Revenue Collection and all subagent locations (sporting good stores, bait and tackle stores, etc.). These licenses are also available by phone, with a credit card, at (888) fish-Florida. For additional information, or to purchase a license online, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission please note: additional fees may apply to this service.

Q.  Who does not need a license?

A.  See list of exemptions below or view additional rules and information at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Any child under 16 years of age

Any resident who is a member of the united states armed forces and not stationed in Florida, when home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.

Any person fishing who has been accepted as a client for developmental disabilities services by the Department of Children and Family Services provided the department furnishes proof thereof.

Any resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to the land.

Any person fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) and the vessel has a valid vessel license.

Any person fishing from a vessel and the operator of the vessel has a valid vessel license issued in the name of the operator of the vessel.

Any person who holds a valid saltwater products license (spl)

Any person fishing for recreational purposes, from a pier that has been issued a valid pier saltwater fishing license

Any resident fishing for a saltwater species in fresh water from land or from a structure fixed to land.

Any resident 65 years of age or older, who has in her or his possession, proof of age and residency, a no-cost license under this paragraph may be obtained from Broward County Revenue Collection upon proof of age and residency and must be in the possession of the resident during hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing activities.

Any employee of the Commission who takes freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or game as part of employment with the commission, or any other person authorized by commission permit to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or game for scientific or educational purposes.

Q.  How do I obtain a disabled person's fishing license and what paperwork do I need?

A.  Application must be made at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Proof of residence and disability must be provided, an application may be downloaded from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In order to receive a no cost resident disabled person's hunting and fishing certificate, applicants must attach a copy of one of the following which certifies the applicant as totally and permanently disabled:

Certification by the United States Railroad Retirement Board

Certification by the United States Veteran's Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces

State of Florida Department of Veteran's and Community Affairs, 100% service connected disabled veteran identification card (must have the statement "total and permanently disabled")

Q.  How do I obtain a 5 year or lifetime license, what paperwork do I need?

A.  Application must be made at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL or on-line at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (additional service fees may be charged for on-line service). Proof of residence (a valid Florida drivers license) is required.

Q.  What is the cost of a 5-year or lifetime license?

A.  The fees range from $10.00 to $1001.50 depending on the type of license and stamps being issued. Lifetime and five-year licenses are available to Florida residents for hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing. The lifetime and five-year licenses will remain valid for use in Florida even if you move out of state. The cost of a lifetime license is less than what would be spent on annual licenses, permits and fees and is based on the age the person is when the license is purchased.

Lifetime - Saltwater & Fresh Water Fishing - Florida Residents Only

Lifetime - Hunting License - Florida Residents Only

Lifetime Sportsman's License - Florida Residents Only

Q.  Can I use my license anywhere in the state?

A.  Yes, your license is valid in the entire state of Florida.

Q.  Where do I go, what do I need to bring and what is the cost to obtain a replacement for a lost license?

A.  All replacement licenses can be obtained from Broward County Revenue Collection, at 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL. If your lost license was sold via the new total licensing system (sold after 1 October 2003), then it can be replaced anywhere that licenses are sold. Bring proof of residency and $2.00 for each license lost.

Q.  Can I buy licenses on-line or by telephone?

A.  Yes. If you have a credit card, hunting or fishing licenses may be purchased on-line or via the telephone through the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission.

By telephone: dial toll-free, either 1-888-hunt-Florida (486-8356) or 1-888-fish-Florida (347-4356) from anywhere in the United States or Canada.

Please note: in addition to the cost of the license, there may be additional convenience charges for these services.

With either method, you will have a temporary license number within minutes, enabling you to hunt (in season) or fish right away. The permanent license will be mailed within a few days.

Q.  How do I obtain a swordfish, sailfish or tuna permit?

A.  Those are federal permits and only be obtained by calling 1-888-usa-tuna, or 727-570-5447

Q.  How do I obtain a federal migratory bird stamp?

A.  Locally, they are sold at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL, some post offices and retail outlets. You may also purchase on-line at duckstamps.fws.gov

Q.  Who needs a duck stamp?

A.  A Florida waterfowl permit and a federal duck stamp are required for all hunters, 16 years of age and older, taking wild ducks or geese within Florida waters.

Q.  When is crawfish sport season?

A.  Crawfish sport season is August 6th - March 31st. For additional information, please contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Fisheries Department.

Q.  What is the hunter education course?

A.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hunter education course consists of 12 hours of classroom instruction, an examination and the actual firing of a rifle, shotgun and bow and arrow. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must take an FWC-approved course to be able to obtain a hunting license. A person born on or after June 1, 1975 may not be issued a license to take or attempt to take wild animal life in this state with the use of a firearm, gun (including a muzzle loading gun), bow or crossbow without first having successfully completed a hunter safety course. A valid hunter safety certification card must be presented prior to issuing a license which includes a hunting privilege (excluding lifetime licenses) for anyone who meets the above requirement. Individuals exempted from purchasing a hunting license but born on or after June 1, 1975 are exempted from the hunter safety requirement. Lifetime license holders born on or after June 1, 1975 whose licenses do not indicate on the face of the licenses that a hunter safety course has been completed must have in their possession the hunter safety certification card while taking or attempting to take wild animal life.

For more information and class schedules, contact the nearest regional Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation office.

For information about courses, locations, registration, costs and duplicate certification cards you may go online Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - hunter safety or telephone the following locations:

Q.   Is hunter education certification from another state accepted in Florida?

A.   Hunter education certification acquired in any of the 50 states is accepted in Florida.

Q.   What does a youth need to do to fish legally?

A.  Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license, although they must abide by all other fishing regulations such as gear type, bag and size limits. They may, however, be asked to provide proof of age.  For a complete list of exemptions and rules, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Q.   How do I obtain an alligator trapping permit?

A.   To apply for an alligator trapping license/harvest permit to participate in the statewide alligator harvest program, the following guidelines apply:

Beginning July 12, 2004 at 8:00 A.m. Eastern Daylight Time, applicants can apply at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL, any sub-agent location, (authorized sporting goods store or other retailer selling hunting or fishing licenses), on-line (.pdf) or by telephone at 1-888-347-4356.

Q.   Is there a limit to the number of permits that are available?

A.   Approximately 3,000 permits will be available, and each licensee will be authorized to take two alligators from a designated area during a specific harvest period.  Only one harvest permit may be issued per person.

Q.   How much is an alligator permit?

A.  The fee for a resident will be $271.50 at Broward County Revenue Collection, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL or $272.00 at a sub-agent location.  The fee for a non-resident will be $1,001.50 at Broward County Revenue Collection or $1,002.00 at a sub-agent location.

Q.   Are there age restrictions for obtaining an alligator permit?

A.   Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by September 1 of the current year.

Q.  When will the licensed trapper be able to hunt alligators?

A.   Each permittee will be authorized to take two alligators from a designated area during a specific harvest period occurring from September 1 through October 8. Each trapper will be assigned to one of four periods based on availability and on the order of preference that they indicated on their application. The harvest permit will specify the harvest period. For more information on the harvest periods, click here.