J.C. Derrick
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Friday cutting the cost of state park passes and hunting and fishing licenses by 50% for three months.
The Great Outdoors Initiative starts Saturday and runs through Jan. 13, 2024.
“Florida is home to some of the best state parks, waterways and recreational lands in the country, and I encourage all Floridians to get outdoors, experience our extraordinary natural resources and enjoy our fundamental right to hunt and fish,” DeSantis said in a press release. “And we are now making it more affordable for families to get outside and enjoy these wonders by offering state park passes and fishing and hunting licenses at sharply discounted rates.”
The executive order directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to cut in half the cost of annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses. The discount applies to annual, five-year and lifetime Gold Sportsman license.
“Florida remains one of the country’s top destinations for world-class fishing and unique hunting opportunities,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement. “I encourage families to take advantage of this incredible offer with a discounted license and enjoy the abundant hunting and fishing recreational opportunities our state offers.”
The initiative comes after the Florida Legislature overwhelmingly passed House Joint Resolution 1157, which proposed amending the Florida Constitution to guarantee the right to hunt and fish in Florida. The amendment will be on the election ballot in 2024.
Florida has 175 state parks, trails and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of beaches. The state is the only four-time winner of the Gold Medal, which is given to the nation’s best park system.
According to the governor’s office, Florida state parks provided an economic benefit to Florida last fiscal year of over $3.6 billion and supported more than 50,000 jobs.
Starting Saturday, the state will offer the following rates:
- Family annual state park pass – $60
- Individual annual state park pass – $30
- Annual Gold Sportsman – $50.75
- Five-year Gold Sportsman – $247.75
- Lifetime Sportsman license:
- Age 4 or younger – $201.50
- Ages 5-12 – $351.50
- Ages 13 and older – $501.50
hmm, I didn’t find out until the 3rd or 4th paragraph that it was the costs that were being cut. I was preparing to write to the governor complaining about cutting the number of passes and licenses when people need to be doing more things outdoors.
Please be more careful.
I’m out here camping in Central Florida as we speak! 🏕️