The new permit costs $5 and is available now for purchase

Beginning with the upcoming 2010-2011 hunting season, anyone hunting deer in Florida will need a deer permit.

Those with a Sportsman’s License, Gold Sportsman’s License, 64 or Older Sportsman’s License, Military Gold Sportsman’s License, Lifetime Hunting License or Lifetime Sportsman’s License will not need to purchase the new deer permit, because it already is included in each of these licenses, even if they were purchased before July 1.
However, the deer permit is not included with a hunting license, combination hunting/freshwater fishing license, combination hunting/freshwater/saltwater license or a five-year hunting license. Anyone hunting deer with either of these licenses must also buy the $5 deer permit to hunt deer legally.

Funds generated by the new permit will be earmarked to support deer management and deer research. Funds also will support ongoing efforts to monitor Florida’s deer herd for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a “Strategic Plan for Deer Management in Florida: 2008-2018” in February 2008. Critical to success of this plan is establishing deer management units and a harvest-reporting system; both have been identified as top priorities by the agency and its stakeholders to better manage deer.

People can purchase all permits and related licenses from their county tax collector, retail outlets that sell fishing and hunting supplies, online at https://www1.fl.wildlifelicense.com/start.php or by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).