Florida Parks, Fishing & Hunting Licenses 50% Off

It's not often the government has a sale. But you know how you always pester your kids to turn off the TV and computer, put away the cell phone and go outside to play? The State of Florida is telling YOU to do it too.

Beginning today, you can take half off annual passes to state parks, fishing and hunting licenses until January 13, 2024. Here's the official, much more long winded, text of the order:

WHEREAS, Florida's natural resources are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy, and way of life; and
WHEREAS, natural treasures can be found in every corner ofthe state, from the Panhandle to the Keys; and
WHEREAS, the Florida State Park System is the first and only four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation's best state park system with 175 state parks, trails, and historic sites
spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of white sand beaches; and
WHEREAS, nearly 30 million residents and visitors enjoyed Florida's award-winning state parks and trails system last year; and
WHEREAS, last fiscal year, the estimated total direct economic impact of Florida State Parks was more than $3.6 billion, supporting over 50,000 jobs; and
WHEREAS, hunting and fishing have a celebrated history in Florida, including Florida's recognition as the "Fishing Capital of the World"; and
WHEREAS, generations of sportsmen and women have contributed to conserving Florida's abundant natural resources and encouraging participation in Florida's rich sporting heritage to recruit
new hunters and anglers and increase public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and outdoor recreation with common sense conservation; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourage participation, responsible citizenship, and stewardship of its natural resources and treasures; and
WHEREAS, educating and engaging Florida's residents on natural resources and wildlife management contributes to conservation efforts throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, it is important to introduce Florida's residents to outdoor activities that instill an appreciation for the great outdoors and our natural resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, do hereby encourage all Florida residents to participate in outdoor recreation. Additionally, I do hereby issue the following Executive Order to take immediate affect:

Section 1: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is directed to temporarily offer family and individual state park annual passes at a 50 percent discount.
Section 2: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is authorized to temporarily offer the resident annual Gold Sportsman, 5-year Gold Sportsman, and Lifetime Sportsman licenses at a 50 percent discount.
Section 3: These reduced fees shall be offered from October 14, 2023 through January 13, 2024.

Yours truly is not much of a fisherman. I loved to fish when I was a kid. Growing up in Maine, I even got to go lobstering quite a bit. I'd always do some deep sea fishing on the boat ride back. So when some friends invited me to go to the Sunshine Skyway to see if I still had skills, I said why not.

But you don't wanna hear about my day fishing. The only thing you wanna see is what I caught right? I'm gonna make you wait until the END of the photos to see my biggest catch of the day.