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 Deer Hunt #1 Other Public Land
Registration Closed
12/02/24 1:00 PM 12/06/24 12:00 PM POINT (-81.352576805555543 29.132667)
Two Mile Deer Hunt Withlacoochee State Forest
Registration Closed
12/06/24 11:35 AM 12/08/24 11:35 AM POINT (-82.389560432943426 28.975177123309358)
Plank Road State Forest Hunt Wakulla State Forest
Registration Closed
12/06/24 12:00 PM 12/08/24 12:00 PM POINT (-84.262660223537 30.238704845791133)
Newnan's Lake Forest Rifle Hunt Other Public Land 12/06/24 3:00 PM 12/08/24 10:00 AM Apply POINT (-82.276002431470289 29.636732729195341)
Twin Rivers State Forest 2024 Deer Hunt Twin Rivers State Forest 12/09/24 2:00 PM 12/12/24 12:00 PM Apply POINT (-83.041668666666666 30.531068944444442)
Purple Heart Washington crossings archery hunt (Purple Heart Apply only) Pine Log State Forest
Registration Closed
12/13/24 10:01 AM 12/15/24 10:01 AM POINT (-85.880892667114168 30.427343327059017)
OOF/WWSF Dove hunt Private Land 01/04/25 11:00 AM 01/04/25 5:00 PM Apply POINT (-81.777666833333328 27.854515583333335)
Volusia County Deer Hunt #2 Other Public Land
Registration Closed
01/06/25 1:00 PM 01/10/25 12:00 PM POINT (-81.352508472222212 29.132641)
Lake Talquin State Forest Hunt Lake Talquin State Forest 01/10/25 12:00 PM 01/12/25 12:00 PM Apply POINT (-84.626210698883639 30.47792285059845)
#1 Duck Hunt STA 1 W & Sporting Clay shoot / United Waterfowlers / FWC/WWP Other Public Land 01/10/25 1:00 PM 01/11/25 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 01/17/25 1:00 PM 01/18/25 1:00 PM Apply POINT (-80.390185444444455 26.684724138888889)
Purple Heart (recipient apply only) archery hunt #2 Washington crossings Private Land 01/17/25 1:48 PM 01/19/25 1:48 PM Apply POINT (-85.880817738693324 30.426972480884427)
Jennings State Forest Pioneer Trail Hike/Camp Event Jennings State Forest 02/07/25 8:00 AM 02/08/25 12:00 PM Apply 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)