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
Camp Prairie Gator Hunt (Plus One)	Lake Wales Ridge State Forest	10/11/24 5:00 PM	10/12/24 12:00 PM		POINT (-81.28480555555555 27.848194444444442)
11th Annual Operation Bass Warrior Fishing Tournament (Plus One))	Private Land Registration Closed	10/12/24 2:00 PM	10/13/24 1:00 PM		POINT (-80.9190638888889 26.757352777777779)
🐍 PYTHON HUNT	Other Public Land Registration Closed	10/18/24 1:00 PM	10/20/24 11:00 AM		POINT (-80.663432548439133 25.464110901913607)
Two Mile Muzzleloader Deer/ Hog Hunt	Withlacoochee State Forest Registration Closed	10/25/24 12:00 PM	10/27/24 1:00 PM		POINT (-82.393285736806234 28.973027701058687)
Blackwater Archery 1 2024	Blackwater River State Forest	10/28/24 2:00 PM	10/31/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-86.793169411025346 30.782606497214704)
Satsuma Tract Muzzleloader Deer Hunt	Belmore State Forest	10/30/24 12:00 PM	11/01/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-81.932080182372985 29.981534781339089)
Rotary Club Benefit Clay Shoot.	Private Land	11/02/24 7:00 AM	11/02/24 1:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-81.497519972222221 27.97451358333333)
Rock Lake / PK Deer Hunt	Withlacoochee State Forest	11/05/24 12:00 PM	11/08/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-82.216728221931376 28.55391632516098)
Peace River Deer and hog hunt	Myakka State Forest Registration not yet open	11/06/24 12:00 PM	11/08/24 12:00 PM		POINT (-81.960275055555556 27.161630944444443)
Blackwater Archery 2 2024	Blackwater River State Forest	11/18/24 2:00 PM	11/21/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-86.792632969222439 30.78248533559745)
Shell Mound Fishing Event	Other Public Land Registration Closed	11/19/24 3:00 PM	11/22/24 10:00 AM		POINT (-83.063192827258334 29.208986744571462)
Satsuma Tract Whitetail Deer Rifle Hunt	Belmore State Forest	11/20/24 12:00 PM	11/22/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-81.9321660130615 29.981524759839491)
Volusia County Deer Hunt #1	Other Public Land	12/02/24 1:00 PM	12/06/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-81.352576805555543 29.132667)
Plank Road State Forest Hunt	Wakulla State Forest	12/06/24 12:00 PM	12/08/24 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-84.262660223537 30.238704845791133)
Newnan's Lake Forest Rifle Hunt	Other Public Land Registration not yet open	12/06/24 3:00 PM	12/08/24 10:00 AM		POINT (-82.276002431470289 29.636732729195341)
Volusia County Deer Hunt #2	Other Public Land	01/06/25 1:00 PM	01/10/25 12:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-81.352508472222212 29.132641)
Lake Talquin State Forest Hunt	Lake Talquin State Forest Registration not yet open	01/10/25 12:00 PM	01/12/25 12:00 PM		POINT (-84.626210698883639 30.47792285059845)
#1 Duck Hunt STA 1 W & Sporting Clay shoot / United Waterfowlers / FWC/WWP	Other Public Land	01/17/25 1:00 PM	01/18/25 1:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-80.390185444444455 26.684724138888889)
#2 Duck Hunt STA 1 W & Sporting Clay shoot / United Waterfowlers / FWC/WWP	Other Public Land	01/24/25 1:00 PM	01/25/25 1:00 PM	Apply	POINT (-80.390185444444455 26.684724138888889)
Jennings State Forest Pioneer Trail Hike/Camp Event	Jennings State Forest Registration not yet open	02/07/25 8:00 AM	02/08/25 12:00 PM		POINT (-81.965613318834244 30.128397704331626)
Satsuma Tract Spring Turkey Hunt I	Belmore State Forest Registration not yet open	03/24/25 3:00 PM	03/26/25 11:00 AM		POINT (-81.932251843749981 29.981568093022123)
Satsuma Tract Spring Turkey Hunt II	Belmore State Forest Registration not yet open	03/26/25 3:00 PM	03/28/25 11:00 AM		POINT (-81.9321453496808 29.981445012351141)