Florida No-Cost Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

Section 379.353 tells the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing licenses and permits without a fee to a resident in the categories the section lists. Two of those categories cover veterans. One is a resident certified as totally and permanently disabled by VA or by a branch of the armed forces, or who holds the identification card issued under section 295.17. The other, in effect for licenses issued after July 1, 2024, is an honorably discharged disabled veteran certified at a service-connected disability percentage of 50% or greater. Licenses under both paths expire after five years and can be reissued on request. The commissions persons-with-disabilities license includes saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting, plus deer, wildlife management area, archery, muzzleloading, crossbow, turkey, Florida waterfowl, snook, and lobster permits. It does not include the federal duck stamp. A Florida driver license or identification card is the usual residency proof for an online application at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Without that card, the tax collector can take other residency proof. The Military Gold Sportsman license is a different product. It costs $20 for a year and is sold to a Florida resident who is active duty or retired from the armed forces, the reserves, the Florida National Guard, or the Coast Guard. It is not the no-cost disability license. A resident service member who is not stationed in Florida can hunt and fish without a license while home on leave for 30 days or less, with the orders.