Florida Offers Deer, Hog, Turkey Hunts to Wounded Veterans

The state has created a website that lists seven opportunities for wounded veterans to hunt -- for deer, hog or turkey -- on state lands between Jan. 11 and April 18.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Wednesday the hunting opportunities as part of the Florida Forest Services Operation Outdoor Freedom program.

Its an honor to provide opportunities for veterans of our armed forces to get outdoors and enjoy all that Florida has to offer, Putnam stated in a release.

These men and women have risked their lives to protect our freedoms. The least we can do is offer a little recreation and rehabilitation in return.

Upcoming events include:

Jan. 11, 2013
Pine Log State Forest Deer Hunt, Bay and Washington counties
.
March 15, 2013
Myakka State Forest Hog Hunt, Sarasota County.

March 25, 2013
Bunnell, Volusia Turkey Hunt, Volusia County.

April 5, 2013
OK Slough State Forest Turkey Hunt, Hendry and Collier counties.

April 5, 2013
Picayune Strand State Forest Turkey Hunt, Collier County.

April 18, 2013
Charles H. Bronson State Forest Turkey Hunt, Seminole and Orange counties.

April 18, 2013
Little Big Econ State Forest Turkey Hunt, Seminole County.

Started in 2010 and paid for through donations, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 100 wounded veterans on 10 different state forests.