Oct 26, 2024 - Nov 3, 2024 Four: no more than one may be antlered. Harvest of antlerless mule deer is prohibited. Antlerless harvest limits are set by zone.

Zone 1: No antlerless harvest.

Zones 2, 7 & 8: four antlerless.

Zones 3, 4, 5, 6 & 9: two antlerless.

Zone 10: one antlerless. Seminole and surrounding counties are in Zone 5.

All deer taken during the deer muzzleloader season count toward the hunter’s combined season limit of six deer.

Deer taken during Jan. 1-15, 2025, count toward the 2024 combined season limit.

Deer taken during controlled hunts or during the holiday antlerless deer gun season do not count toward the combined season limit.

Antlered Deer Definition

Any deer, regardless of sex, with at least three inches of antler length above the natural hairline on either side.

Tracking Devices

Telemetric radio tracking devices for deer hunting are legal. However, thermal tracking devices are illegal.

With antlerless deer harvest trending downward the past few years, hunters are urged to take advantage of the state’s more liberal bag limits and more open days for antlerless harvest. There are several benefits to additional antlerless harvest, and the most notable is a more even buck-to-doe ratio. Healthier deer, better hunting, and better antler development all begin with a more even buck-to-doe ratio.

In addition to increased opportunities for antlerless hunting, the Wildlife Department’s Deer Management Program (DMAP) helps landowners intensively manage deer herds on private land. It is designed to give cooperators -- whether landowners, hunt clubs, or lease operators -- extra assistance in managing deer. Under the program, cooperators set their own management goals ranging from producing maximum numbers of harvestable deer to producing trophy bucks.

Because it is very difficult to manage deer and achieve realistic goals on small parcels of land, a minimum of 1,000 acres is required. Potential applicants with less than 1,000 acres may combine lands with adjoining landowners to meet the required minimum.