Strategy & Experience Veteran’s Hunting Benefits

Huntin’ Fool and the community of hunters that it consists of appreciate and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the military. The hardships and sacrifices unique to service members, as well as the families who support them along the way, do not go unnoticed. Many state game agencies offer benefits to active-duty service members and veterans as a way of giving back to those who have given so much for our country. In this article, I’d like to highlight some of those benefits in hopes that veterans and their families can take advantage of these opportunities and get outdoors to enjoy some well-earned time away.
 

Alaska

Residency
Active-duty service members and their dependents permanently stationed in the state for greater than twelve months prior to the application date can purchase and apply for resident licenses. They do not need to give up their residency privileges in another state and may hunt without an Alaska-licensed guide. For those stationed in Alaska for less than the required 12 months, they can purchase special military licenses and tags at the same rate as resident prices, however, they are still required to hunt with an Alaska-licensed guide for brown bear, grizzly bear, mountain goat, and Dall sheep.

Licenses and Tags
Alaska offers complimentary annual hunting, trapping, and sportfishing licenses to residents actively serving in the Alaska National Guard, as well as the Reserve component of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Should a military member get orders to deploy and no longer be able to use their draw permit, they may request to defer that permit to the following year. Under similar circumstances, should a military member get orders to deploy and be unable to use a Tier II subsistence permit, they may request to transfer that permit to a substitute hunter who can hunt in their place during the deployment period.

Disabled Veterans
Alaska offers a complimentary, permanent identification card to resident disabled veterans with a disability rating of 50% or more. This card allows them to hunt, sport fish, and trap as long as they maintain residency and live within the state.

Arizona

Residency
Active-duty service members and their dependents stationed in the state on permanent or temporary duty for at least thirty days prior to the application date can purchase and apply for resident licenses and tags. Active-duty members that maintain Arizona as their home of record while stationed outside of the state may also purchase and apply for licenses and tags as a resident as long as they do not claim residency for hunting or fishing in another state.

Disabled Veterans
Arizona may issue a complimentary disabled veteran’s license to resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. This license is good for three years if the disability rating requires reevaluation; however, it is a lifetime license if the disability rating does not require reevaluation. Similarly, they offer a 50% reduced-fee license to resident veterans who have received a Purple Heart Medal and a 25% reduced-fee license to resident veterans who are receiving compensation for any percentage of a service-connected disability. To qualify for any of these discounted licenses, the veteran must be a domiciled resident of Arizona for at least one year.
 

California

Residency
Active-duty military members stationed in California are eligible for resident licenses and permits. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members.

Disabled Veterans
Honorably discharged veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible for reduced price hunting and sportfishing licenses. Both resident and non-resident veterans qualify. Service members undergoing treatment for serious injuries or illness related to their military service are also eligible to receive these reduced-price licenses.

Colorado

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families stationed in the state are eligible for resident licenses and tags. Service members stationed outside of the state who maintain Colorado as their Home of Record are also eligible for resident licenses.

Licenses and Tags
Active-duty Colorado residents or service members stationed in the state that are actively deployed may submit a request form that allows for the purchase of leftover licenses prior to their sale to the general public. Those same individuals can also submit a request to receive preference points for any limited license draws that occurred while they were deployed. They must mail in the request form, along with payment for a habitat stamp and the application fees for all species for which they wish to receive a point. This must be postmarked by the first Tuesday in January following their return to the US. Should a military member receive orders that prevent them from returning a tag prior to the thirty-day window before the start of the season, they can submit a Preference Point Restoration form along with a copy of their military orders to restore their preference points or receive a refund. Lastly, military personnel may test out of the hunter education course by passing an online test. Each person is only allowed one attempt, and if they achieve a 90% or better on the exam, they can send in proof of military service to begin using their hunter education number.
 
Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans that are residents of Colorado and have a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating or have received the Purple Heart Medal are eligible to apply for a lifetime fishing and small-game combo license. Colorado also sets aside a number of big-game licenses for residents or those stationed in the state that are members of an Armed Services Wounded Warrior Program. The application can be found on the CPW website.

Idaho

Residency
Idaho offers resident licenses, tags, and permits for military members and their families stationed in the state for at least thirty days.

Licenses and Tags
Idaho residents that are back in the state on military leave can purchase a furlough combination hunting and fishing license at a discounted rate. Any service member that is serving in an active military conflict is eligible to receive a rain check or refund for licenses, tags, or permits they were unable to use due to their deployment.

Disabled Veterans
Resident veterans with a 40% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible for the discounted disabled American veteran (DAV) license as well as discounted tags for deer, elk, bear, and turkey. The permits for archery and muzzleloader are also discounted. Non-resident veterans with a 40% or greater service-connected disability rating are also eligible for discounted tags and permits but are limited to 500 deer tags and 300 elk tags per year. Once those are sold out, DAV license holders may purchase tags at the standard non-resident fee.
 

Iowa

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families stationed in Iowa are eligible for resident licenses and tags.

Licenses and Tags
Iowa residents that have lived in the state for at least ninety days and have served in the armed forces on federal active duty qualify for the discounted armed forces hunting and fishing license. The application only needs to be submitted once; the license can be purchased online in subsequent years. Active-duty Iowa residents stationed outside of the state do not need a hunting license, deer license, or wild turkey license to hunt while on leave—nor do they need to pay the habitat fee. They do still need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and pay the Iowa Migratory Game Bird Fee to hunt migratory game birds. The service member is allowed to harvest one deer and one turkey per calendar year. If a deer or turkey is harvested, they must contact a conservation officer to obtain a transportation tag.
 
Disabled Veterans
Iowa resident veterans that were disabled during their military service are eligible for a lifetime hunting and fishing license, a lifetime fur-harvester license, and one extra any-deer tag each year for any firearm season. They must have lived in the state for at least ninety days, served in the armed forces on federal active duty, and have a service-connected disability rating. They do not need to be sixty-five or older.

Kansas

Residency
Active-duty military members stationed in Kansas are eligible to purchase resident licenses and permits, except for lifetime licenses. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members. Kansas residents that are stationed outside the state are also still eligible for resident licenses and permits.
 
Licenses and Tags
The Kansas legislature appropriated funds to provide free hunting and fishing licenses to active members of the Kansas National Guard.

Disabled Veterans
Kansas residents that are honorably discharged veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible to receive a free, permanent hunting and fishing license.

Kentucky

Residency
Military personnel permanently stationed in Kentucky are eligible for resident licenses and permits. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members.

Licenses and Tags
Kentucky residents home on leave for more than three days do not need to have a sport hunting or fishing license but must carry proper documentation showing their leave status. The same applies to service members based in Kentucky and engaged in sport hunting or fishing on certain properties owned by the Kentucky National Guard.

Disabled Veterans
Veterans that are Kentucky residents and have a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible for the discounted Disabled Sportsman’s license.

Maine

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families who are stationed in Maine are eligible for resident licenses. Maine residents that are stationed outside of the state may purchase a combination hunting and fishing license for the Maine Resident Serviceman combination price. Their families stationed out of the state with them are eligible for discounted licenses as well.

Licenses and Tags
Maine residents stationed outside of the US who are home on leave are exempt from firearm and archery safety courses.

Disabled Veterans
Honorably discharged veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible to apply for a complimentary license that allows them to hunt, trap, and fish. This is available to both residents and non-residents as long as a similar privilege exists in their home state. Holders of this license must still apply for antlerless deer and moose. Maine does allocate five moose permits per year to disabled veterans. Most will be issued to residents through a lottery, but non-residents that are sponsored by a National Veterans Organization may be eligible for a permit. The application can be found online.
 

Montana

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families stationed in Montana for at least thirty days are eligible for resident licenses and tags. Military members that have retained their Montana residence while being stationed out of state may also continue to apply as residents.

Licenses and Tags
Hunting licenses can be donated and reissued to disabled service members and veterans undergoing rehabilitation programs through a nonprofit organization. To qualify, the member must be an active-duty service member receiving medical treatment at a medical facility or a Purple Heart recipient who was medically retired and received a 70% or greater disability rating. If a military member is deployed outside of the US and must return a tag or license, they may apply for a refund or to defer that tag to the year after their return. Resident members of the National Guard or military reserves ordered outside of Montana to support contingency operations for at least two months are eligible for a free resident wildlife conservation license, fishing license, or a combination sport license for five years following their return.
 
Disabled Veterans
Veterans with combat-connected injuries that have resulted in significant impairment of their functional abilities can apply for half-priced deer and antelope tags through the Combat Disabled Application, which issues up to fifty tags annually. Both residents and non-residents can apply for these discounted tags. When applying for the first time, the application must be certified by a health care provider licensed in Montana or through the VA to confirm that the applicant is experiencing significant impairment of their functional ability.
 

Nebraska

Residency
Active-duty military members stationed in Nebraska for at least thirty days are eligible to purchase resident licenses and permits. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members. Nebraska residents stationed outside of the state also maintain their residency for hunting and fishing.

Licenses and Tags

Veterans aged sixty-four or older that are residents of Nebraska are eligible for a discounted Veteran’s Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit. This permit includes all state stamps. After submitting the initial application, this license can be renewed online each year. A Nebraska resident that was deployed with the military within the last twelve months is eligible for a discounted Veteran’s Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit as well. Each year Nebraska offers veterans special hunt dates. On Veterans Day, resident veterans that were honorably discharged may receive a free, one-day hunt permit, Habitat Stamp, and Nebraska Migratory Waterfowl Stamp to hunt. A Federal Duck Stamp and Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration are still required.
 
Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans that are residents of Nebraska and have a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating, or 100% non-service-connected disability are eligible for a free Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit. This permit includes all state stamps.

Nevada

Residency
Active-duty service members and their families permanently stationed in Nevada may apply for and purchase licenses and tags at the resident rates without fulfilling the six-month residency requirement.

Licenses and Tags
Service members that are Nevada residents on active duty out of state are eligible for the discounted Serviceman Specialty Combination license. This combination license includes both a hunting and fishing license and requires the service member to show evidence of their assignment out of state. Military members who have drawn a Nevada big-game tag but are given orders to transfer locations or deploy, making it impractical for the hunter to use the tag, may apply to receive a restoration of bonus points or to have the tag deferred to the following year.

Disabled Veterans
Nevada residents with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating may apply for a discounted Disabled Veteran Specialty Combination hunting and fishing license. The veteran must be a bona fide resident of Nevada and submit the initial application through a NDOW office. Once verified, the veteran can renew online in subsequent years.

New Hampshire

Residency
Active-duty military members who are stationed in New Hampshire are eligible for resident licenses. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members.

Licenses and Tags
New Hampshire residents stationed outside of the state are eligible to apply for a free combination hunting and fishing license that is valid while in the state on leave. This license is valid as long as the service member is on active duty.

Disabled Veterans
New Hampshire residents that have a 100% disability rating and have been honorably discharged are eligible for a permanent combination hunting, fishing, and archery license after paying a one-time administrative fee. Residents of Maine and Vermont meeting the same criteria are also eligible. This license is valid as long as you remain a resident of one of these three states. New Hampshire also offers resident veterans that have had a disability rating between 80% and 99% for at least two years lifetime combination hunting, fishing, and archery licenses at half the price of regular lifetime licenses.
 

New Mexico

Residency
Military members and their families permanently stationed in New Mexico with appropriate documentation showing their assignment qualify to purchase and apply for tags as a resident.

Those permanently assigned to Fort Bliss are only eligible for resident fees for those draw-hunts that occur on the Fort Bliss Military Reservation. They must pay non-resident license and tag fees for all other hunts.

Licenses and Tags
New Mexico residents that are on active duty or honorably discharged veterans may receive a 50% discount on licenses, permits, and stamps. New Mexico also offers several different hunt opportunities for both veterans and active-duty service members. There is a pronghorn hunt on Melrose Air Force Base with categories for Purple Heart recipients and active-duty personnel stationed in New Mexico. New Mexico resident veterans may apply for a once-in-a-lifetime oryx hunt on the White Sands Missile Range. Documentation showing an honorable discharge must be submitted prior to application unless your veteran status has already been verified. There are draw hunts on the McGregor Range that may only be applied for by active-duty personnel after submitting proof of current active service. Additionally, non-resident active-duty members and veterans undergoing rehabilitation through a federally sponsored program or federally recognized non-profit that involves hunting qualify for resident fees on a number of big-game licenses. Documentation and eligibility should be coordinated through the Sante Fe office of the NMDGF.
 
Disabled Veterans
New Mexico residents who have received a 100% disability rating from their service in the armed services are eligible for a free lifetime hunting and fishing license. Holders of a Disabled Veteran card may also receive a free deer hunting license. The veteran must still draw the deer license through the draw or obtain permission from a landowner for a private-land deer hunt. Disabled veterans that are New Mexico residents but do not meet the 100% disability rating qualification are eligible for a discounted combination hunting and fishing license. Habitat Management & Access Validation and Habitat Stamps are still required.

Another unique opportunity is an oryx hunt on White Sands Missile Range for disabled veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating. Significantly injured active-duty members who do not yet have a VA disability rating may also apply.

North Dakota

Residency
Military members stationed in North Dakota are eligible to submit a waiver to purchase non-lottery licenses for small game, furbearers, and fishing at resident prices. Their family members stationed with them are only eligible if they have a North Dakota driver’s license or other state-issued identification card.
 
Licenses and Tags
North Dakota residents in the armed forces stationed outside the state may receive a deer gun license outside of the lottery process by submitting an application and payment via mail to their licensing division. Residents who were outside of the state under Title 10 orders for the previous year’s deer gun season and who received an expeditionary medal or campaign badge may submit an application and payment before the deer gun application deadline to receive a whitetail deer gun tag in the unit of their choice.

Disabled Veterans
North Dakota residents with documentation of a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible to apply for a discounted combination hunting, fishing, and furbearer license with documentation of their rating.

Oregon

Residency
Military members and their families stationed in Oregon are eligible for resident licenses, tags, and permits.

Licenses and Tags
Discounts are offered to both resident and non-resident uniformed service members on hunting, angling, and shellfish licenses. Non-resident service members may also purchase certain big-game tags at the resident price.

Disabled Veterans
Oregon residents with a 25% or greater service-connected disability rating that have lived in the state for at least six months may apply for a free hunting, angling, and shellfish license. This license includes a Columbia River Basin Endorsement and Wildlife Area Parking Permit. After mailing in or returning the initial form in person, this license can be renewed online in subsequent years. Resident disabled veterans are also able to purchase an elk tag for a reduced price. Veterans with a 65% or greater disability rating may apply for an Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit. The holders of this permit are allowed additional accommodations to aid in their participation and enjoyment of hunting and fishing. Permit holders are still required to purchase applicable licenses and tags.
 

Pennsylvania

Residency

Active-duty military members stationed in Pennsylvania are eligible for resident licenses and tags. Pennsylvania residents who are stationed outside the state on active duty are eligible for a discounted hunting license while back in the state on leave.

Licenses and Tags
Resident members of the National Guard or reserve components are eligible for a discounted hunting license if, in the last twenty-four months, they were deployed overseas for sixty days or more. Residents on active duty, stationed in state or out of state, can purchase a discounted antlerless deer license in the WMU of their choice.

Disabled Veterans
Resident disabled veterans that have a 100% service-connected disability rating or the loss of use of one or more limbs incurred while serving in any war or armed conflict are eligible for a free hunting or furtaking license. If the disability is permanent, then a lifetime hunting, fishing, or furtaking license shall be issued. Former prisoners of war and resident disabled veterans with a 60% to 99% disability rating are eligible for discounted hunting, fishing, or furtaking licenses. Resident disabled veterans meeting any of the above criteria can also purchase a discounted antlerless deer license in the WMU of their choice.

South Dakota

Residency
Active military members and their families who are continuously stationed in South Dakota are eligible for resident licenses. Active military members and their spouses that are South Dakota residents and are out of the state on military orders are also eligible for resident licenses.
 
Disabled Veterans
South Dakota residents with a 40% or greater disability rating, those receiving Level K Special Monthly Compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or with discharge papers verifying Prisoner of War status are eligible for a reduced-price hunting and fishing license.
 

Tennessee

Residency
Active-duty military members and their children under the age of sixteen who are stationed in Tennessee are eligible for resident licenses.
 
Licenses and Tags
Military members on leave are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license as long as they carry their official leave documents with them in the field.

Disabled Veterans
Resident veterans that have a service-connected disability rating of 100% or who have been certified by the VA as having a disability rating of 30% due to war service can apply for a Resident Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License for a one-time fee of $10.

Texas

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families who are stationed in Texas are eligible for resident licenses.

Licenses and Tags
A free Texas Resident Active-Duty Military Super Combo Package is available to any active-duty service member stationed in Texas for six months prior to applying as well as Texas residents on full-time active service for the reserves, National Guard, or Texas State Guard.
 
Disabled Veterans
Both resident and non-resident disabled veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating, loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a “Disabled Veteran” designation on their Texas driver’s license are eligible for a free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package.

Utah

Residency
Members of the armed forces and their dependents are considered residents starting the day they report for duty in Utah. They must be stationed in the state on permanent duty and not claim residency in any other state for hunting, fishing, or trapping. The member must present a copy of their military orders to a Utah Division of Wildlife office to qualify. Utah residents stationed outside of Utah retain their residency as long as they do not claim residency in another state for the purposes of hunting, fishing, or trapping.
 
Licenses and Tags
Military members that are deployed or called to active duty that prevents them from using their permit or license may apply for a refund within one year of the end of the applicable season. Military members that are deployed and miss the application deadline may apply to receive bonus and preference points for the year they were deployed. To qualify, the member must be a Utah resident, deployed for ninety days or longer, and not have already received points for that year. The Division of Wildlife will waive the required combination or hunting license fee, and applications are due December 31 of the year they were deployed.

Disabled Veterans
Utah residents with a 20% or greater service-connected disability rating may purchase discounted hunting, fishing, or combination licenses. After initially providing documentation and getting approved, a disabled veteran will automatically be eligible to repurchase that license in the following years.
 

Vermont

Residency
Active-duty military members stationed in Vermont are eligible for resident licenses and permits. This privilege is not extended to non-resident family members.

Licenses and Tags
Vermont residents serving on active duty or in a homeland defense or state-side contingency operation are eligible for a combination hunting and fishing license at no cost.

Disabled Veterans
Vermont resident veterans that have had or currently have a 60% or greater service-connected disability rating are eligible for a free permanent combination hunting and fishing license. Non-resident veterans meeting the same disability criteria and living in a state that provides a reciprocal privilege to Vermont resident veterans are eligible for a free one-year combination hunting and fishing license. Currently this applies to New Hampshire and Maine.
 

Virginia

Residency
Active-duty military members and their families stationed in Virginia are eligible for resident licenses and permits.

Disabled Veterans
Virginia residents that have certain service-connected disability ratings are eligible for lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. A veteran’s eligibility for these lifetime licenses, as well as the price of the license, depends on which rating their disability falls under: 30%, 50%, 70%, or “Totally and Permanently” disabled. The application, documentation, and payment are submitted by mail. They also offer discounted annual hunting and fishing licenses to non-resident veterans with disability ratings of 70% or greater or “Totally and Permanently”. These applications are also submitted by mail.
 

Washington

Residency
Active-duty military members stationed in Washington on full-time orders are eligible for resident hunting and fishing licenses. This benefit is not currently extended to the families of those members. Active-duty personnel stationed in Washington and resident honorably discharged veterans who pass the online portion of Washington’s hybrid hunter education course are exempt from the instructor-led field skills evaluation.

Licenses and Tags
Members of the Washington National or State Guard are eligible for a free annual license package that includes a big-game license with tags for deer, elk, bear, and cougar, a small-game license, and a migratory bird permit. To be eligible, those members must be Washington residents on full-time Guard orders or be participating in drill on a part-time basis.
 
Disabled Veterans
Washington resident veterans are eligible for reduced rates on hunting and fishing licenses if they are sixty-five or older, have a qualifying discharge characterization, and a service-connected disability. The same applies to a resident veteran under the age of sixty-five if they have a qualifying discharge characterization and a 30% or greater service-connected disability rating. Non-resident

veterans that meet these criteria can purchase a hunting and fishing license at the same rate as a non-disabled Washington resident.

Wyoming

Residency
Active-duty personnel and their families stationed in Wyoming for at least ninety days are eligible for resident licenses for as long as they remain stationed within the state. Service members that maintain Wyoming as their home of record may maintain their residency for hunting and fishing as long as they do not claim that benefit in another state.
 
Licenses and Tags
Any active-duty Wyoming resident home on leave who will be returning to a combat zone may receive a complimentary general elk, general deer, game bird/small game, and daily fishing license. Wyoming also allows big-game licenses to be donated so they can be reissued to disabled veterans or people with permanent disabilities that require the use of a wheelchair.

Disabled Veterans
Wyoming residents that have a 100% disability rating are eligible for a lifetime Disabled Veteran Game Bird, Small Game, and Fish license. Residents that have a 50% or greater disability rating are eligible for a lifetime Disabled Veteran Fishing License. Lastly, residents who have received a Purple Heart Medal are eligible for a lifetime U.S. Military Purple Heart Bird, Fish, and Small Game License. All three of these licenses are valid as long as the holder remains a Wyoming resident.

**Detailed graph included in May 2026 Issue