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Armed Forces Privileges

Wisconsin law extends many privileges for hunting, fishing and trapping to active members of the Armed Forces, Wisconsin National Guard or Reserves for both residents and nonresidents. Different sections of Wisconsin Statutes authorize these privileges, each with their own qualifications.

Privileges Extended to Members of the Armed Forces for Hunting, fishing and trapping - frequently asked questions

1. Who is eligible for a free Small Game & Fishing License?

  • Any resident in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces who exhibits proof that he or she is on furlough or leave.
Available at any license sales location.

2. Who may harvest or tag one deer of either sex with a firearm to fill their one gun buck deer carcass tag during any season open to hunting deer with firearms?

  • Any resident who is an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces* stationed outside of Wisconsin who is on furlough or leave; or
  • Any nonresident who is still an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces* and who is stationed outside of Wisconsin, BUT ONLY IF they were a resident at the time they entered active service.
*Active U.S. Armed Forces members also includes any person who is a member of a unit incorporated into the U.S. Armed Forces, such as an activated National Guard unit serving under the direction of a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

3. Who is eligible to purchase any hunting, trapping or fishing license at the resident rates?

  • Any resident of Wisconsin; or
  • Any Non-Resident who is also:
    • A member of the Wisconsin National Guard
    • An active member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Wisconsin
    • A member of a Reserve Unit of the U.S. Armed Forces located in Wisconsin
    • A current member of the U.S. Armed Forces or current member of a Reserve Unit of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed out of state who was a resident at the time he or she entered active service
Available at any license sales location.

4. Who may obtain a turkey permit for any zone and time period without the need to apply and be selected through the normal application and drawing process?

  • Any resident in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Wisconsin and who is on furlough or leave.
Available at any DNR Service Center location.

5. Who may obtain Canada goose permits/tags for the Horicon Zone or Collins Zone for any time period without the need to apply and be selected through the normal application and drawing process?

  • Any resident in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Wisconsin and who is on furlough or leave.
Available at any DNR Service Center location.

6. Who may obtain an antlerless deer permit/tag for any one of the "regular" deer management units, even if the quota of tags is already sold out for that unit?

  • Any resident in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Wisconsin and who is on furlough or leave.
Available at any DNR Service Center location.

7. Who may purchase a sturgeon spearing license after the October 31st deadline through the end of the open season for spearing sturgeon?

  • Any resident in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces and who exhibits proof that he or she is stationed outside Wisconsin and is on furlough or leave.
Available at any license sales location.

8. Who does not have to wait three days to hunt after purchasing an archery license?

  • Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who exhibits proof that he or she is in active service with the Armed Forces and that he or she is stationed in Wisconsin or is on furlough or leave.

9. Who may purchase a hunting license without the need to possess a hunter safety certificate or accomplishment?

  • Anyone who has completed basic training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard.

10. Who may defer a permit or license that was issued through a random or preference selection process?

  • Any U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard member who is serving on active duty and who is unable to exercise his or her privilege to fish, hunt or trap as permitted by the permit/license due to his or her service on active duty (includes members of a reserve unit when serving on active duty for the U.S. Armed Forces). This deferral can be used for any of the following permits:
    1. Antlerless Deer Permit for a regular deer management unit
    2. Bobcat hunting or trapping permit
    3. Otter trapping permit
    4. Fisher trapping permit
    5. Canada goose hunting permit
    6. Spring and Fall Turkey hunting permit
    7. Sharp-trailed grouse hunting permit
    8. Class A Bear license
    9. Elk hunting license
    10. Upriver Sturgeon Spearing license
Contact a DNR Service Center for more information.

Definitions
    s. 40.02(57m) "U.S. Armed Forces" means any of the following:
    The U.S. Army, including the WACS
    The U.S. Navy, including the WAVES
    The U.S. Air Force, including the WAFS
    The U.S. Marine Corps, including the WMS
    The U.S. Coast Guard, including the SPARS
    The U.S. Maritime service, including the merchant marine

Statutory References
    29.164 (3m) Turkey Permits
    29.173 (2) Deer of Either Sex
    29.177 (7) Antlerless Permit in Regular Unit (previously hunter’s choice)
    29.183 Deferral of approvals
    29.192 (4c) Goose Permits
    29.194 Free Fishing & Small Game, Eligibility for licenses as a resident if resident at time entering service
    29.569 Three day waiting period for archery, Sturgeon Spearing License Purchase
    29.593 Hunter Safety
Last Revised: Tuesday August 26 2008