Outdoor Freedom is an endeavor of the Florida Forest Service that provides recreational opportunities to wounded veterans. Participants must be Florida residents (as defined in s. 379.101(30)(b)) who are honorably discharged military veterans with either a service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or be a Purple Heart recipient.

Events can be accessed from the list, calendar, or map below. Click on the name for basic information. You may apply once for each event.

There are two types of Events:

  1. Guided Events – These events provide complete guide services, housing and all meals. All scouting, equipment, blinds, game processing and any handicapped needs are provided. Mobility assessments are provided for each event.
  2. Unguided Events – These events only provide the area to be used, primitive campsites and portable restroom facilities. The veteran is responsible for all hunting equipment, tents and food. Some events may provide a meal. All scouting and hunting is the responsibility of the veteran. Each veteran is allowed to bring one non-hunting assistant with them. Assistant may go on the hunt and help but is not allowed to use the weapon.

There are two different processes for applying:

  1. Participants are selected for many events, both guided and unguided, by a random selection process within the application software. These events will have a link marked “Apply” for online registration. If you are not a registered user, you will be prompted to register with a user name and login before you can apply for the event. After applying for an event, the right hand column of the list below will change from “apply” to “cancel”. Select cancel to remove your name from the event. You may cancel your registration at any time.
  2. For some guided events, the participant selection is made by a participating veteran’s organization and is distinguished by a “Contact Us” link. Selecting this option will produce a window with contact information. Clicking on the email address within this window will allow you to fill out your information and send it to the contact for that event. To withdraw your application, please contact the respective veteran’s organization contact person.

Participants will be selected to participate in only one event unless there are unfilled slots available at other events for which you have applied. Selected participants will be notified 30 days prior to the event. Event coordinators will provide event details, contact information and answer any questions. You will be asked to provide proof of 30% disability rating or Purple Heart credentials by email within five days of selection notification.

Event Location Begins at Ends at
Volusia County Spring Turkey Hunt #2 Other Public Land
Registration Closed
04/08/24 1:00 PM 04/12/24 12:00 PM POINT (-81.35281325 29.132715972222222)
JUPITER OFFSHORE FISHING Private Land
Registration Closed
04/10/24 3:00 PM 04/12/24 11:00 AM POINT (-80.087777777777774 26.974166666666665)
Rock Lake / PK Turkey Hunt Withlacoochee State Forest
Registration Closed
04/19/24 3:00 PM 04/21/24 12:00 PM POINT (-82.216738694063892 28.553822089625076)
NFWMD- Econfina Creek WMA Freshwater Fishing Event Other Public Land 04/23/24 12:00 PM 04/25/24 12:00 PM Apply POINT (-85.5432111111111 30.430463888888891)
Peace River Hog Hunt Peace River State Forest 04/24/24 2:18 AM 04/26/24 2:18 AM Apply POINT (-81.960275055555556 27.161630944444443)
2024 Lake Okeechobee Iguana hunt Other Public Land 04/24/24 4:00 AM 04/26/24 3:00 PM Apply POINT (-80.920385768779482 26.757568792100773)
Pine Island Saltwater Fishing Event Other Public Land 05/17/24 3:00 PM 05/19/24 12:00 PM Apply POINT (-82.081540400698785 26.493260420096679)