General Info
County history coming soon!
CITIES
Cities In County
Not including unincorporated communities
Cities
Bowling Green
Wauchula
Town
Zolfo Springs
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
County Residential Services
A little bit of contact information for all purpose residential needs.
Ambulance Billing 863-773-3078
Clerk of Court 863-773-4174
Animal Control 863-773-2320
Animal Refuge 863-735-9531
Building & Code Enforcement
Sheriff 863-773-0304
Central Dispatch 863-773-4144
Appraiser 863-773-2196
Chamber of Commerce 863-773-6967
Elections 863-773-6061
Civic Center 863-773-6698
Superintendent of Schools 863-773-9058
Community Development 863-773-6349
County Extension 863-773-2164
County Probation 863-773-9323
Economic Development 863-773-3030
Emergency Management 863-773-6373
Facilities Management 863-773-3419
County Judge 863-773-3174
Fire Rescue 863-773-4362
Guardian Ad Litem 863-773-2505
Human Resources 863-773-2161
ITS/GIS 863-767-9655
Landfill 863-773-5089
Library 863-773-6438
Maintenance Shop 863-773-6430
Management & Budget 863-773-3199
Mining 863-773-0136
Pioneer Park 863-735-0330
Planning & Development 863-767-1964
Public Defender 863-773-6758
Prison 863-767-4500
Purchasing 863-773-5014
Road & Bridge 863-773-3272
Soil Conservation 863-773-9644
State Attorney 863-773-6613
State Probation 863-773-4777
Tri-County 863-773-2226
Utilities 863-773-3465
Veterans 863-773-9853
County Website
*For more information visit: http://www.hardeecounty.net/
HUNTING
Hunting Seasons
For more information visit:
| Zone/ statewide |
Archery Season (A) (2) | Crossbow Season (C)(2) | Muzzleloading Gun Season(M) | General Gun Season(D) |
Deer (1)Must have $5 Deer Permit as well as hunting license to hunt deer |
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| Zone A | Jul. 30 – Aug. 28
Antlered deer by bow or crossbow Antlerless deer by bow or crossbow: DMU A1 – Antlerless deer may not be taken |
Jul 30 – Sept. 2
Antlered deer by crossbow or bow. Antlerless deer by bow or crossbow: DMU A1 – Antlerless deer may not be taken |
Sept. 3-16
Antlered deer only by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Sept. 17 – Oct. 16 and Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
Antlered deer by all legal centerfire rifles and pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows. For antlerless deer season dates, seeDeer Management Unit pages for Zone A. |
| Zone B | Oct. 15 – Nov. 13
Antlered or antlerless deer by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 15 – Nov. 13
Antlered or antlerless deer Nov. 14-18 Antlered deer only by crossbow or bow |
Nov. 19 – Dec. 2
Antlered deer only by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Dec. 3 – Feb. 19
Antlered deer by all legal centerfire rifles and pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows. For antlerless deer season dates, seeDeer Management Unit pages for Zone B. |
| Zone C | Sept. 17 – Oct. 16
Antlered or antlerless deer by bow or crossbow |
Sept. 17 – Oct. 16
Antlered or antlerless deer Oct. 17-21 Antlered deer only by crossbow or bow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 4
Antlered deer by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow. In DMU C5, antlerless deer also may be taken Oct. 22-23 by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow. |
Nov. 5 – Jan. 22
Antlered deer by all legal centerfire rifles and pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows. For antlerless deer season dates, seeDeer Management Unit pages for Zone C. |
| Zone D | Oct. 22 – Nov. 23
Antlered or antlerless deer by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 23
Antlered or antlerless deer Nov. 28 – Dec. 2 Antlered deer only by crossbow or bow |
Dec. 3-9 and Feb. 20-26
Antlered deer by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow. |
Nov. 24-27 and Dec. 10 – Feb. 19
Antlered deer by all legal centerfire rifles and pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows. For antlerless deer season dates, seeDeer Management Unit pages for Zone D. |
| Deer Bag Limit:
During Archery Season and first phase of Crossbow Season, daily bag limit is: During Antlerless Deer Season, daily bag limit is: During all other seasons (including second phase of Crossbow Season), daily bag limit is: 2 antlered deer, and antlerless deer may be taken by antlerless deer permit only. Possession limit: 4 deer |
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Fall turkey(gobblers and bearded turkeys only) (T) |
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| Zone A | Jul. 30 – Aug. 28
by bow or crossbow |
Jul. 30 – Sep. 2
by bow or crossbow |
Sept. 3-16
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Oct. 3-16 and Nov. 19 – Jan. 1
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone B | Oct. 15 – Nov. 13
by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 15 – Nov. 18
by bow or crossbow |
Nov. 19 – Dec. 2
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Dec. 3 – Jan. 29
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone C | Sept. 17 – Oct. 16
by bow or crossbow |
Sept. 17 – Oct. 21
by crossbow or bow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 4
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Nov. 5 – Jan. 1
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone D (3) | Oct. 22 – Nov. 23
by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 23 and Nov. 28 – Dec. 2
by crossbow or bow |
Dec. 3-9
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Nov. 24 – 27 and Dec. 10 – Jan. 15
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Fall turkey Bag Limit:
Daily bag limit: 2 Season and possession limit: 2 for all fall seasons combined |
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Gray Squirrel (D) |
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| Zone A | Jul. 30 – Aug. 28
by bow or crossbow |
Jul 30 – Sep. 2
by crossbow or bow |
Sept. 3-16
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Oct. 8 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, air guns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone B | Oct. 8 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, air guns,muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
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| Zone C | Sept. 17- Oct. 7
by bow or crossbow |
Sept. 17 – Oct. 7
by crossbow or bow |
Oct. 8 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, air guns,muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
|
| Zone D | Oct. 8 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, air guns,muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
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| Gray Squirrel Bag Limit: Daily bag limit: 12 Possession limit: 24 |
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Quail (D) |
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| Zone A | Jul. 30 – Aug. 28
by bow or crossbow |
Jul. 30 – Sept. 2
by crossbow or bow |
Sept. 3-16
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Nov. 12 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone B | Oct. 15 – Nov. 11
by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 15 – Nov. 11
by crossbow or bow |
Nov. 12 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
|
| Zone C | Sep. 17 – Oct. 16
by bow or crossbow |
Sep. 17 – Oct. 21
by crossbow or bow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 4
by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow |
Nov. 12 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
| Zone D | Oct. 22 – Nov. 11
by bow or crossbow |
Oct. 22 – Nov. 11
by crossbow or bow |
Nov. 12 – Mar. 5
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
|
| Quail Bag Limit: Daily bag limit: 12 Possession Limit: 24 |
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Spring turkey(gobblers and bearded turkeys only)(4) |
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| Youth Spring Turkey Hunt(5) | Spring Turkey Season (T) | |||
| South of State Road 70 | Feb. 25-26
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
Mar. 4 – Apr. 9
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
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| North of State Road 70 except Holmes County | March 11-12
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
March 18 – April 23
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
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| Holmes County | March 11-12
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
March 18 – April 2
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols |
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| Spring Turkey Daily Bag Limit:
Bag limit: 2 Season and possession limit: 2 for spring season Holmes Daily bag and season limit:1 |
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Rabbit |
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| Statewide | Year-round by all legal rifles, shotguns, air guns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows and pistols (D)
Bag Limit: Daily bag limit: 12 |
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Wild hog |
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| Statewide | Year-round by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols and air guns. Hunting license not required. Wild hogs also may be trapped but cannot be transported alive without permit from the Florida Dept. of Agriculture at 850-410-0900. (D)
Bag Limit: No Limits |
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| Bobcat (D)(F) | ||||
| Statewide | Dec. 1 – March 31
By all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols and air guns. Those with a hunting license may possess no more than 1 bobcat pelt between April 1 and Nov. 30, unless pelt has CITES tag. Also, bobcat pelts may not be taken out of Florida unless tagged. Bobcats may be chased with dogs year round. Bag Limit: No Limits |
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Otter (F) |
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| Statewide | Dec. 1 – March 1
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols and air guns. Those with a hunting license may possess no more than 1 otter pelt between April 1 and Nov. 30, unless pelt has CITES tag. Also, otter pelts may not be taken out of Florida unless tagged. Bag Limit: No Limits |
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Raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, skunk, nutria |
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| Statewide | Year-round
by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols and air guns. (D)(F) Hunting raccoons or opossums at night is allowed, but only .22-caliber rimfire firearms (other than .22-magnums) or single-shot .410-gauge shotguns (using shot not larger than size 6) may be used. Hunting raccoons or opossums by displaying or using lights from moving vehicles, vessels or animals is prohibited. It is illegal to transport wild-trapped live raccoons within, into or from the state, except by FWC permit or authorization. Bag Limit: No limits on any species |
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Deer-dog training |
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| Zone A | Aug. 13 – Sep. 1 | Those with a hunting license may train or toughen free-running deer dogs on private property during daylight hours, after first registering (at no cost) the tract of land with the FWC. While training, all deer dogs must have their FWC-issued registration number, along with the owner’s name and address on their collars. Copies of the registration must be in the hunter’s possession when training deer dogs. | ||
| Zone B | Oct. 29 – Nov. 17 | |||
| Zone C | Oct. 1-20 | |||
| Zone D | Oct. 29 – Nov. 17 | |||
FISHING
Fishing Seasons
For more information visit:
| Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses | |
| Annual Freshwater Fishing | $17.00 |
| Youth Freshwater Fishing (Optional for children under the age of 16 and valid until 17th birthday – a fishing license is not required until age 16) | $17.00 |
| 5-Year Freshwater Fishing | $79.00 |
| Freshwater/Saltwater Fishing Combo | $32.50 |
| Freshwater Fishing/Hunting Combo | $32.50 |
| Freshwater/Saltwater Fishing/Hunting Combo | $48.00 |
| Resident 64 Sportsman’s License (includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl permits) (does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits) | $13.50 |
| Sportsman’s License (includes Freshwater Fishing and Hunting licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, and Florida Waterfowl permits) (does not include Saltwater Fishing License, Snook or Lobster permits) | $80.50 |
| Gold Sportsman’s License (includes Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits) | $100.00 |
| Youth Gold Sportsman’s License (Optional for children under the age of 16 and valid until 17th birthday – a fishing license is not required until age 16 – hunter safety certificate required – includes same licenses and permits as Gold Sportsman’s License) | $100.00 |
| 5-Year Gold Sportsman’s License (includes Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits) | $494.00 |
| Military Gold Sportsman’s License (includes Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Saltwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Deer, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster permits) (sold only at tax collector’s office) (not available as 5-year) (only available to resident retired, and resident active duty, military) | $20.00 |
| Nonresident Freshwater Fishing Licenses | |
| Nonresident Annual Freshwater Fishing | $47.00 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing | $17.00 |
| Nonresident 7-Day Freshwater Fishing | $30.00 |
| How to Order | |
