By Lauren Tjaden
Florida holds bragging rights as the most popular fishing destination in the United States, with more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline.
Abundant wild hogs, turkey, and whitetail deer make it a hunter’s paradise too.
If you’re an outdoorsman in the Military, I’ve got some good news for you; in the Sunshine State, you can enjoy this natural bounty for less, with discounts on hunting and fishing licenses. Read on to discover how.
A Golden Opportunity for Floridians
The Military Gold Sportsman's License, offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), includes hunting, saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing licenses as well as deer, wildlife management area, archery, muzzle-loading gun, crossbow, turkey, Florida waterfowl, snook and lobster permits—all for an astounding reduced-fee of $20 annually.
It’s available to active duty and retired members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, the Florida National Guard, the United States Coast Guard or the United States Coast Guard Reserve that are stationed in Florida or claim Florida as their primary residence.
If you qualify for this license, you can get it at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com through an online verification process. It’s also available at Florida tax collectors' offices with proof of residency and a current military identification card.
Check out more information from the FWC here: myfwc.com/license/recreational/military-gold/
Leave it to Florida
Coming home on leave to Florida just got even better. Florida residents who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States who aren’t stationed in the state and are home on leave for 30 days or less are exempt from recreational hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing licenses as well as Florida waterfowl, migratory bird, deer, turkey, snook, spiny lobster, archery, crossbow, muzzle loading and management area permit requirements.
Organized Fun
If you’re organizing an outdoor recreational event in Florida for the enjoyment or rehabilitation of disabled veterans or active or reserve-duty service members, you can apply for a Military/Disabled Veteran Event License Exemption permit. The permit will exempt qualified event participants from hunting and fishing license requirements while participating in the event. Here’s where you can learn more: Military/Disabled Veteran Event License Exemption Permits
