(1) LICENSE, PERMIT, OR AUTHORIZATION NUMBER REQUIRED.—Except as provided in s. 379.353, no person shall take game, freshwater or saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals within this state without having first obtained a license, permit, or authorization number and paid the fees set forth in this chapter. Such license, permit, or authorization number shall authorize the person to whom it is issued to take game, freshwater or saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals, and participate in outdoor recreational activities in accordance with the laws of the state and rules of the commission.

(2) NONTRANSFERABILITY; INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.—

(a) Licenses, permits, and authorization numbers issued under this part are not transferable. Each license and permit must bear on its face in indelible ink the name of the person to whom it is issued and other information as deemed necessary by the commission. Licenses issued to the owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel that directly or indirectly collects fees for taking or attempting to take or possess saltwater fish for noncommercial purposes must include the vessel registration number or federal documentation number.

(b) The lifetime licenses and 5-year licenses authorized in this section shall be embossed with the name, date of birth, date of issuance, and other pertinent information as deemed necessary by the commission. A certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate shall accompany each application for a lifetime license for a resident 12 years of age or younger.

(c) A positive form of identification is required when using a free license, a lifetime license, a 5-year license, or an authorization number issued under this chapter, or when otherwise required by a license or permit.

(3) PERSONAL POSSESSION REQUIRED.—Each recreational license, state-issued identification card or driver license indicating possession of a recreational license, permit, or authorization number must be in the personal possession of the person to whom it is issued while the person is taking, attempting to take, or possessing game, freshwater or saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals. Any person taking, attempting to take, or possessing game, freshwater or saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals who fails to produce a recreational license, state-issued identification card or driver license indicating possession of a recreational license, permit, or authorization number at the request of a commission law enforcement officer commits a violation of the law.

(4) RESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.—The licenses and fees for residents participating in hunting and fishing activities in this state are as follows:

(a) Annual freshwater fishing license, $15.50.

(b) Annual saltwater fishing license, $15.50.

(c) Annual hunting license to take game, $15.50.

(d) Annual combination hunting and freshwater fishing license, $31.

(e) Annual combination freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing license, $31.

(f) Annual combination hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing license, $46.50.

(g) Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25. However, a resident with a valid hunting license or a no-cost license who is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial purposes using guns or dogs only, and not traps or other devices, is not required to purchase this license. Also, a resident 65 years of age or older is not required to purchase this license.

(h) Annual sportsman’s license, $79, except that an annual sportsman’s license for a resident 64 years of age or older is $12. A sportsman’s license authorizes the person to whom it is issued to take game and freshwater fish, subject to the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including rules of the commission, in effect at the time of the taking. Other authorized activities include activities authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, and an archery season permit.

(i) Annual gold sportsman’s license, $98.50. The gold sportsman’s license authorizes the person to whom it is issued to take freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and game, subject to the state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including rules of the commission, in effect at the time of taking. Other authorized activities include activities authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, an archery season permit, a snook permit, and a spiny lobster permit.

(j) Annual military gold sportsman’s license, $18.50. A resident who is an active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, the United States Coast Guard, or the United States Coast Guard Reserve may purchase the military gold sportsman’s license upon submission of a current military identification card. The annual military gold sportsman’s license authorizes the same activities as the annual gold sportsman’s license.

1(k) An annual resident shoreline fishing license shall be issued without a fee to allow any resident to saltwater fish from land or from a structure fixed to the land. This license is not required for any resident issued any other license identified in this section which allows the taking of saltwater fish.

(5) NONRESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.—The licenses and fees for nonresidents participating in hunting and fishing activities in the state are as follows:

(a) Freshwater fishing license to take freshwater fish for 3 consecutive days, $15.50.

(b) Freshwater fishing license to take freshwater fish for 7 consecutive days, $28.50.

(c) Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish for 3 consecutive days, $15.50.

(d) Saltwater fishing license to take saltwater fish for 7 consecutive days, $28.50.

(e) Annual freshwater fishing license, $45.50.

(f) Annual saltwater fishing license, $45.50.

(g) Hunting license to take game for 10 consecutive days, $45.

(h) Annual hunting license to take game, $150.

(i) Annual license to take fur-bearing animals, $25. However, a nonresident with a valid Florida hunting license who is taking fur-bearing animals for noncommercial purposes using guns or dogs only, and not traps or other devices, is not required to purchase this license.

(6) PIER LICENSE.—A pier license for any pier fixed to land for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish is $500 per year. The pier license may be purchased at the option of the owner, operator, or custodian of such pier and must be available for inspection at all times.

(7) VESSEL LICENSES.—

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f), a person may not operate any vessel wherein a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking, attempting to take, or possessing any saltwater fish for noncommercial purposes unless she or he has obtained a license for each vessel for that purpose, and has paid the license fee pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) for such vessel.

(b) A license for any person who operates any vessel licensed to carry more than 10 customers, wherein a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish, is $800 per year. The license must be kept aboard the vessel at all times.

(c)1. A license for any person who operates any vessel licensed to carry no more than 10 customers, or for any person licensed to operate any vessel carrying 6 or fewer customers, wherein a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish, is $400 per year.

2. A license for any person licensed to operate any vessel carrying 6 or fewer customers but who operates a vessel carrying 4 or fewer customers, wherein a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish, is $200 per year. The license must be kept aboard the vessel at all times.

3. A person who operates a vessel required to be licensed pursuant to paragraph (b) or this paragraph may obtain a license in her or his own name, and such license shall be transferable and apply to any vessel operated by the purchaser, provided that the purchaser has paid the appropriate license fee.

(d) A license for a recreational vessel not for hire and for which no fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, by guests for the purpose of taking or attempting to take saltwater fish noncommercially is $2,000 per year. The license may be purchased at the option of the vessel owner and must be kept aboard the vessel at all times. A log of species taken and the date the species were taken shall be maintained and a copy of the log filed with the commission at the time of renewal of the license.

(e) The owner, operator, or custodian of a vessel the operator of which has been licensed pursuant to paragraph (a) must maintain and report such statistical data as required by, and in a manner set forth in, the rules of the commission.

(f) If the operator of a vessel that carries scuba divers for a fee, either directly or indirectly, maintains the appropriate vessel license under this subsection based upon the number of persons the vessel is licensed to carry and the applicable permits, the individual scuba divers engaging in taking or attempting to take saltwater products are not required to obtain individual fishing licenses or any applicable permits. However, if the operator of such a vessel does not have the appropriate license and applicable permits, the individual scuba divers engaging in taking or attempting to take saltwater products must have individual fishing licenses and any applicable permits.

(8) SPECIFIED HUNTING, FISHING, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY PERMITS.—In order to ensure that the cultural heritage of hunting and sport fishing as recognized in s. 379.104 is passed on to future Floridians, the commission shall use up to 10 percent of the proceeds from the hunting and sport fishing permits issued pursuant to this subsection to promote hunting and sport fishing activities with an emphasis on youth participation. In addition to any license required under this chapter, the following permits and fees for specified hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses and activities are required:

(a) An annual Florida waterfowl permit for a resident or nonresident to take wild ducks or geese within the state or its coastal waters is $5. Revenue generated from the sale of waterfowl permits or that pro rata portion of any license that includes waterfowl hunting privileges provided for in this paragraph shall be used for conservation, research, and management of waterfowl; for the development, restoration, maintenance, and preservation of wetlands within the state; or to promote the cultural heritage of hunting.

(b)1. An annual Florida turkey permit for a resident to take wild turkeys within the state is $10. Revenue generated from the sale of resident wild turkey permits or that pro rata portion of any license that includes turkey hunting privileges provided for in this subparagraph shall be used for the conservation, research, and management of wild turkeys or to promote the cultural heritage of hunting.

2. An annual Florida turkey permit for a nonresident to take wild turkeys within the state is $125. Revenue generated from the sale of nonresident wild turkey permits or that pro rata portion of any license that includes turkey hunting privileges provided for in this subparagraph shall be used for the conservation, research, and management of wild turkeys or to promote the cultural heritage of hunting.

(c) An annual snook permit for a resident or nonresident to take or possess any snook from any waters of the state is $10. Revenue generated from the sale of snook permits shall be used exclusively for programs to benefit the snook population.

(d) An annual spiny lobster permit for a resident or nonresident to take or possess any spiny lobster for recreational purposes from any waters of the state is $5. Revenue generated from the sale of spiny lobster permits shall be used exclusively for programs to benefit the spiny lobster population.

(e) A $5 fee is imposed for each of the following permits:

1. An annual archery season permit for a resident or nonresident to hunt within the state during any archery season authorized by the commission.

2. An annual crossbow season permit for a resident or nonresident to hunt within the state during any crossbow season authorized by the commission.

3. An annual muzzle-loading gun season permit for a resident or nonresident to hunt within the state during any muzzle-loading gun season authorized by the commission.

(f) A special use permit for a resident or nonresident to participate in limited entry hunting or fishing activities as authorized by commission rule shall not exceed $150 per day or $300 per week. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, there are no exclusions, exceptions, or exemptions from this permit fee. In addition to the permit fee, the commission may charge each special use permit applicant a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $10.

(g)1. A management area permit for a resident or nonresident to hunt on, fish on, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational purposes land owned, leased, or managed by the commission, or by the state for the use and benefit of the commission, shall not exceed $30 per year.

2. Permit fees for short-term use of land that is owned, leased, or managed by the commission may be established by rule of the commission for activities on such lands. Such permits may be in lieu of, or in addition to, the annual management area permit authorized in subparagraphs 1. and 4.

3. Other than for hunting or fishing, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply on any lands not owned by the commission, unless the commission has obtained the written consent of the owner or primary custodian of such lands.

4. A management area permit for a resident or nonresident to hike, camp, or otherwise engage in other outdoor recreational activities, except hunting or fishing, on management area lands shall not exceed $5 per day or $30 per year.

(h)1. A recreational user permit is required to hunt on, fish on, or otherwise use for outdoor recreational purposes land leased by the commission from private nongovernmental owners. The fee for a recreational user permit shall be based upon the economic compensation desired by the landowner, game population levels, desired hunter density, and administrative costs. The permit fee shall be set by commission rule on a per-acre basis. The recreational user permit fee, less administrative costs of up to $30 per permit, shall be remitted to the landowner as provided in the lease agreement for each area.

2. One minor dependent under 16 years of age may hunt under the supervision of the permittee and is exempt from the recreational user permit requirements. The spouse and dependent children of a permittee are exempt from the recreational user permit requirements when engaged in outdoor recreational activities other than hunting and when accompanied by a permittee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no other exclusions, exceptions, or exemptions from the recreational user permit fee are authorized.

(i) An annual deer permit for a resident or nonresident to take deer within the state during any season authorized by the commission is $5. Revenue generated from the sale of deer permits shall be used for the conservation, research, and management of white-tailed deer or to promote the cultural heritage of hunting.

The commission shall prepare an annual report documenting the use of funds generated pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) and shall submit the report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate no later than September 1 of each year.

(9) RESIDENT 5-YEAR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.—

(a) Five-year licenses are available for residents only, as follows:

1. A 5-year freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing license is $77.50 for each type of license and authorizes the person to whom the license is issued to take or attempt to take or possess freshwater fish or saltwater fish consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of taking.

2. A 5-year hunting license is $77.50 and authorizes the person to whom it is issued to take or attempt to take or possess game consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of taking.

3. The commission is authorized to sell the hunting, fishing, and recreational activity permits authorized in subsection (8) for a 5-year period to match the purchase of 5-year fishing and hunting licenses. The fee for each permit issued under this paragraph shall be five times the annual cost established in subsection (8).

(b) Proceeds from the sale of all 5-year licenses and permits shall be deposited into the Dedicated License Trust Fund, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of s. 379.203.

(10) RESIDENT LIFETIME FRESHWATER OR SALTWATER FISHING LICENSES.—

(a) Lifetime freshwater fishing licenses or saltwater fishing licenses are available for residents only, as follows, for:

1. Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of $125.

2. Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years of age, for a fee of $225.

3. Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of $300.

(b) The following activities are authorized by the purchase of a lifetime freshwater fishing license:

1. Taking, or attempting to take or possess, freshwater fish consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of the taking.

2. All activities authorized by a management area permit, excluding hunting.

(c) The following activities are authorized by the purchase of a lifetime saltwater fishing license:

1. Taking, or attempting to take or possess, saltwater fish consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of the taking.

2. All activities authorized by a snook permit and a spiny lobster permit.

3. All activities for which an additional license, permit, or fee is required to take or attempt to take or possess saltwater fish, which additional license, permit, or fee was imposed subsequent to the date of the purchase of the lifetime saltwater fishing license.

(11) RESIDENT LIFETIME HUNTING LICENSES.—

(a) Lifetime hunting licenses are available to residents only, as follows, for:

1. Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of $200.

2. Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years of age, for a fee of $350.

3. Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of $500.

(b) The following activities are authorized by the purchase of a lifetime hunting license:

1. Taking, or attempting to take or possess, game consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of the taking.

2. All activities authorized by a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, an archery season permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, and a management area permit, excluding fishing.

(12) RESIDENT LIFETIME SPORTSMAN’S LICENSES.—

(a) Lifetime sportsman’s licenses are available to residents only, as follows, for:

1. Persons 4 years of age or younger, for a fee of $400.

2. Persons 5 years of age or older, but under 13 years of age, for a fee of $700.

3. Persons 13 years of age or older, for a fee of $1,000.

(b) The following activities are authorized by the purchase of a lifetime sportsman’s license:

1. Taking, or attempting to take or possess, freshwater and saltwater fish, and game, consistent with the state and federal laws and regulations and rules of the commission in effect at the time of taking.

2. All activities authorized by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow season permit, a turkey permit, an archery season permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, a snook permit, and a spiny lobster permit.

(13) PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF LIFETIME LICENSES.—The proceeds from the sale of all lifetime licenses authorized in this section shall be deposited into the Lifetime Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, to be distributed as provided in s. 379.207.

(14) RECIPROCAL FEE AGREEMENTS.—The commission is authorized to reduce the fees for licenses and permits under this section for residents of those states with which the commission has entered into reciprocal agreements with respect to such fees.

(15) FREE FISHING DAYS.—The commission may designate by rule no more than 4 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in each year as free freshwater fishing days and no more than 4 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in each year as free saltwater fishing days. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any person may take freshwater fish for noncommercial purposes on a free freshwater fishing day and may take saltwater fish for noncommercial purposes on a free saltwater fishing day, without obtaining or possessing a license or permit or paying a license or permit fee as prescribed in this section. A person who takes freshwater or saltwater fish on a free fishing day must comply with all laws, rules, and regulations governing the holders of a fishing license or permit and all other conditions and limitations regulating the taking of freshwater or saltwater fish as are imposed by law or rule.

(16) PROHIBITED LICENSES OR PERMITS.—A person may not make, forge, counterfeit, or reproduce a license or permit required under this section, except for those persons authorized by the commission to make or reproduce such a license or permit. A person may not knowingly possess a forgery, counterfeit, or unauthorized reproduction of such a license or permit. A person who violates this subsection commits a Level Four violation under s. 379.401.

(17) SUSPENDED OR REVOKED LICENSES.—A person may not take game, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, or fur-bearing animals within this state if a license issued to such person as required under this section or a privilege granted to such person under s. 379.353 is suspended or revoked. A person who violates this subsection commits a Level Three violation under s. 379.401.

(18) VIOLATION OF SECTION.—Unless otherwise provided by law, a person who violates this section commits a Level One violation under s. 379.401.

History.—ss. 15, 19-21, ch. 13644, 1929; s. 1, ch. 17015, 1935; s. 1, ch. 17018, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 1977(15); s. 1, ch. 19509, 1939; s. 1, ch. 20886, 1941; s. 1, ch. 23087, 1945; s. 1, ch. 26943, 1951; s. 1, ch. 26944, 1951; s. 1, ch. 29672, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-185; s. 2, ch. 59-73; s. 1, ch. 61-366; s. 1, ch. 61-392; s. 2, ch. 63-30; s. 1, ch. 65-373; s. 1, ch. 69-40; s. 1, ch. 70-26; s. 1, ch. 71-142; s. 103, ch. 73-333; s. 1, ch. 76-67; ss. 1, 2, ch. 76-156; ss. 1, 2, ch. 77-405; s. 1, ch. 78-6; s. 1, ch. 78-163; ss. 1, 2, ch. 79-107; s. 83, ch. 79-164; s. 143, ch. 79-400; s. 1, ch. 80-180; s. 1, ch. 81-240; s. 1, ch. 82-188; s. 7, ch. 83-71; s. 30, ch. 83-218; s. 3, ch. 85-235; s. 8, ch. 85-324; s. 7, ch. 86-158; ss. 1, 3, ch. 87-261; s. 16, ch. 87-356; s. 1, ch. 87-540; s. 45, ch. 89-175; s. 11, ch. 89-270; s. 12, ch. 90-243; s. 2, ch. 91-58; s. 4, ch. 91-78; s. 17, ch. 93-268; s. 245, ch. 94-356; s. 1002, ch. 95-148; s. 2, ch. 96-265; s. 13, ch. 96-300; s. 3, ch. 97-217; s. 2, ch. 98-333; s. 14, ch. 98-336; s. 16, ch. 98-397; s. 65, ch. 99-8; s. 161, ch. 99-13; s. 134, ch. 99-245; s. 21, ch. 99-292; s. 14, ch. 99-353; s. 37, ch. 2000-362; s. 8, ch. 2001-272; s. 16, ch. 2002-46; s. 5, ch. 2003-151; s. 1, ch. 2005-45; s. 15, ch. 2006-304; s. 17, ch. 2007-223; s. 5, ch. 2008-106; s. 139, ch. 2008-247; s. 4, ch. 2009-65; s. 36, ch. 2009-86; s. 3, ch. 2010-146; s. 4, ch. 2012-95; s. 2, ch. 2013-56; s. 5, ch. 2013-194; s. 8, ch. 2014-136; s. 4, ch. 2016-4; s. 12, ch. 2016-107.

1Note.—Section 51, ch. 2009-86, provides that “[b]eginning in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and continuing each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of $185,000 is appropriated from the State Game Trust Fund to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the costs associated with the shoreline fishing license exemption pursuant to s. 379.354(4)(k), Florida Statutes.” The amendment to s. 379.354 by s. 36, ch. 2009-86, did not, in its final form, create s. 379.354(4)(k) relating to a license exemption for shoreline fishing. However, s. 4, ch. 2009-65, did create s. 379.354(4)(k) and does contain language that may relate to this subject.

Note.—Former s. 372.57.