For hunters living and hunting in FWC zones A and C, January marks the end of the Fall hunting season.
Gator season closed last November, ducks will close on January 25th, in Zone A both deer and turkey close on January 4th, while in Zone C deer will close on January 18th and turkey closed this past December.
The only thing left open are hogs, which are open year round, and in Polk county deer remain open until February 22nd and turkey remains open until February 1st. So if you’re not interested in travelling to Polk County, then trade out that 12-ga shotgun and break-out the 22 cal rifle or 9mm pistol for some gray squirrel and rabbit hunting.
Squirrel and rabbit hunting is more than just an after-deer or offseason chance to be in the woods. For many hunters, January and February are prime months to hunt one of their favorite game species. In bringing back fond memories of their youth, many seasoned big game hunters honed their hunting skills on squirrels while learning the ways of the woods pursing these often under estimated animals.
SQUIRREL AND RABBIT HUNTING IS MORE THAN JUST AN AFTER-DEER OR OFFSEASON CHANCE TO BE IN THE WOODS. FOR MANY HUNTERS, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ARE PRIME MONTHS TO HUNT ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE GAME SPECIES.
Florida has one of the nation’s longest hunting seasons for gray squirrels. The season runs from October 11th through March 1st. Squirrels may be taken by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, pistols, and air rifles. Most hunters opt for a 20 gauge shotgun or .22 cal scoped rim-fire rifle. The daily bag limit is 12, with a possession limit of 24. Squirrels can also be taken using dogs and while on your boat, which is a common practice in parts of northern Florida. For those with hunting dogs, squirrel hunting can yield some real quality time with man’s best friend.
Most hunters approach squirrel hunting as they would turkey hunting, that is in full camo gear and a good pair of binoculars, for squirrels are sensitive to both sound and movement. Depending on your surroundings, hunting can be best by stalking, lying in wait, or by slow cruising a tree lined stream or river. Squirrels will be found in the highest numbers in major river or stream easements, wooded cover, swamps, and areas with a variety of food sources. Being squirrels are omnivores; they’ll generally feed on; nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and some green budding vegetation.
Like most animals, the peak activity periods are found to be in the early morning and late afternoon, but in general, squirrels remain active through-out the day
As for their edibility, most say squirrel is good table fare. Depending on what the squirrel has been feeding on, tastes run form the ubiquitous ‘it tastes like chicken’ to a sweet cross between lamb and duck. The old Southern way is fried on a cast iron skillet with plenty of pan drippings for gravy, but like most wild game, young game can be cooked hot and fast while older animals need to be cooked low and slow with plenty of fluids.
Either way you look at it, hunting squirrels is good for the sole and the palate.


DID YOU KNOW?
- Sportsmen contribute over $ 8 Million every day towards conservation, adding more than $ 2.9 billion every year for wildlife conservation and preservation.
- Hunters and target shooters have paid over $ 6.8 billion in excise taxes since the inception of the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937.
- Hunting in America generates of 600,000 jobs in the United States
- For more than 60 years, sportsmen have paid more than $ 13.7 billion for on-the-ground projects in every state, protecting our natural environment and our fish and wildlife
- The $ 4.95 billion in annual federal tax money generated by hunter’s spending could cover the annual paychecks f 150,000 U.S. Army Sergeants.
- In Florida there are over 250,000 licensed hunters.
- Florida hunters contribute $ 1.6 billion to the state economy and produce over 14,700 jobs state wide.
