Northwest Florida Water Management District Hosts Hunt for Wounded Veterans

HAVANA - The Northwest Florida Water Management District recently hosted its first Operation Outdoor Freedom hunt, inviting six wounded veterans to spend a weekend deer hunting on District land.  The hunt, which took place Jan. 25-27 in the Econfina Creek Water Management Area in Bay and Washington counties, was hosted with support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (DACS) Florida Forest Service, Friends of Florida State Forests and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“For many of these veterans, an Operation Outdoor Freedom hunt is their first opportunity to get outdoors and spend time with their peers since returning from duty,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “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.”

Operation Outdoor Freedom is an endeavor of the Florida Forest Service that offers recreational opportunities, including hunting and fishing, to wounded veterans on state and agricultural lands. Through the program, designated areas are equipped to accommodate the special needs of wounded veterans, providing an opportunity for recreation and rehabilitation that is not available through any other state program.

“The District is proud to be the first public agency to partner with DACS to host a hunt under the Operation Outdoor Freedom program,” said Executive Director Jon Steverson. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to honor our nation’s heroes through this program and to the organizations and individuals who partnered with our staff to make this event successful.”

Thanks to donations and support from individuals and local businesses, the District was able to provide meals for all participants, along with volunteers, camping accommodations and equipment for the hunt.

Since the program was established in 2010, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 200 wounded veterans on 10 different state forests. The program expects to serve an additional 200 veterans during the 2012-2013 seasons.

The District owns more than 200,000 acres across northwest Florida, protecting river corridors, springs, streams, lakes and wetlands. The Econfina Creek Water Management Area consists of approximately 41,000 acres surrounding the Econfina Creek Corridor, including steephead valleys, sandhill lakes and numerous springs. Hunting is allowed throughout much of the area, which the District partners with the FWC to manage.  The area also features a hunting area and group campsite accessible to mobility-impaired hunters

http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments