Bowhunting has been used to sustainably harvest meat and other materials by indigenous people of Florida for centuries. Native American bowhunting was very accurate up to 40 yards, with some skilled hunters successfully hitting targets 100 yards away. Today, compound bows can be used to hunt many Florida game species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and wild hogs within their respective seasons.
The Florida Frontiersmen, Inc. is a non-profit, family-oriented organization that aims to preserve the skills honed by Florida’s past, including traditional archery. The non-profit hosts monthly events on their 317-acre property in Homeland, Florida. Their archery range winds through Florida swampland and provides loaner bows for those who have never shot before. Experienced educators, like their six USA level two certified archery coaches, are available for instruction to make any level archer feel confident and comfortable.
Thanks to a $4,219 Wildlife Foundation of Florida specialty license plate grant, we funded 3D targets for the archery range, including a moose, a red stag, and a stegosaurus. 3D targets not only promote accurate and consistent archery, but also enthusiasm for young beginners and skilled archers alike. Despite the lack of stegosaurus to hunt in reality, the target was a hit with younger age groups!
Their annual event, the Alafia River Rendezvous, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Their 2022 event hosted 314 guests, an 46% increase from their previous year, which included 59 women, 33 youths ages 13-17, and 32 “cubs” 12 years and younger. The Florida Frontiersmen pride themselves on providing opportunities to diverse age and gender groups to inspire appreciation for wild and historic Florida.
Our Foundation’s WFF grants are dedicated to teaching hunting safety, acquiring and managing habitat for game species, improving access to and amenities on publicly accessible hunting lands, and more. Click here for a full list of the grants we’ve provided. Whether you’re a hunter, angler, or conservationist, our Foundation has a license plate to fit your interests. Check out all of our plates and support the cause closest to you.
