Airboat Quota Permit

An Airboat Quota Permit is a type of limited entry permit that is required in order to hunt from Airboats on Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Management Areas.  Click the "Application Worksheet" link at the bottom of the page for specific hunt dates. 

• Cost: $0.00
• Requirements: Unless exempt, you must have a valid Management Area Permit in order to apply.  Children age 15 that will turn 16 before or during the hunts should purchase a Management Area Permit and apply as a non-exempt hunter.  You must be the registered owner of an Airboat that has been registered with a current Florida Vessel Registration in order to apply. 
• Issuance Method: These permits are issued by random drawing during Phases I and II.  Leftover permits are issued on a first come first served basis during Phase III.  In the Phase I random drawing, applicants are grouped based on their preference points.  Applicants with the highest number of Airboat preference points are selected before those with less Airboat preference points.
• Exemptions: There are no exemptions to the hunts. You must have a Airboat quota permit or be the guest of a permit holder to participate in these hunts. 
• Restrictions: You may submit one Application Worksheet per Airboat and receive up to one Airboat permit in Phase I or II.  You can only apply in Phase II if you have not already been awarded an Airboat Quota Permit during Phase I.  You can have no more than one permit per hunt unit. Applicants awarded an Airboat Quota Permit are not eligible for a Track Quota Permit.  The selling or purchasing of any Quota Permit is prohibited.
• Groups: Group applications are only accepted in Phase I. A group application assures that all members of the group (5 maximum) go through the random drawing as one application.  If successful, all members of the group receive a quota permit for the same hunt, even if there is only one permit left. Each group member must submit an application and join the group during the Phase I application period. You cannot add members to a group application after the Phase I application period ends.  The group's preference rank in the Phase I random drawing will be determined by the member with thelowestnumber of Airboat preference points among the members. 
• Preference Points: If you apply during Phase I and are unsuccessful, you will be awarded one Airboat preference point for next year (even if you get issued a permit in Phase II or III).  Preference points are cumulative and you will receive one additional Airboat preference point each year you apply in Phase I and are unsuccessful. If you apply during Phase I next year, and are drawn for a permit, your preference points will be reset to zero.  No preference points are awarded if you fail to apply in Phase I.  If you fail to apply during Phase I for 2 consecutive years, your preference points will be reset to zero.
• Transferability: Airboat Quota permits are NOT transferable.
• Guest Permits: Guest permits are not available for this permit.   View our guest permit information. 
• Returned Permits: If you are unable to use your permit you can return it for re-issuance.   View information on returning permits for reissuance.    
• Drawing Results: Drawing results are typically posted within about two weeks after the end of the Application period.  Check the status of your application. 
• Replacements: You can replace lost or destroyed non-transferable permits at a license agent or tax collector office for about $2.50.   
• How to Apply: You can apply online (choose “Limited Entry/Quota Permits and Applications”) or complete the Application Worksheet (click the "Application Worksheet" link at bottom of page) and present it to any license agent or tax collector office.  Children and resident management area permit holders who do not hold a Florida drivers license or Florida ID must apply as non-residents to use the online system.  Resident disabled, residents age 65 or older and resident active duty military that do not have a Florida driver's license or Florida ID cannot use the online system and must apply at a license agent or tax collector and show another proof of residency.
• How to Get Your Permit and Tag: If successful in the Phase I or II random drawings, you will need to pick up your permit online (choose “Limited Entry/Quota Permits and Applications”), at a license agent, or tax collector office.  Permits issued in Phase I or II will be available in the system for printing online, by a license agent or tax collector until the last day of the hunt. In Phase III (First-Come, First-Served Leftovers) you are immediately awarded your permit, and the license agent or tax collector will immediately print your permit. If applying online in Phase III, you must immediately print your permit.  The permit does not sit waiting for you to print it later as it does in Phase I and II. If you can't print your Phase III permit immediately, you may save the permit to your computer to print later.  View the Print Your Permit page for instructions and frequently asked questions on how to print your permit directly from the website.  Warning: If you access you permit online, it cannot be printed by the tax collector or license agent.   If you choose to pick up your permit online, be sure you have access to a printer so that you can print your permit directly from the website. If you access the permit without saving it or printing it, it will be available in your customer account (see “Previously Purchased Reprintable Licenses” at the top of your customer information) and you will have 5 days to print or reprint your permit.  After 5 days you will need to obtain a replacement for $2.50.  Replacements may be obtained from any license agent, tax collectors office or online. 
• Legal Game Tags: Your permit is not valid for taking deer without the accompanying legal game tag that is mailed to you by FWC.  Legal game tags will not be mailed until you have picked up or printed your quota permit.  Please pick up or print your permit at least two weeks before the hunt begins to allow time for your tag to be mailed to you.      
• When to Apply: