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A Purple Heart Is the Licence — Fish and Hunt Birds on the Conservation Licence Alone

A Montana resident awarded the Purple Heart may fish and hunt upland game birds holding only a conservation licence, at any age. Wild turkey is excluded. Legion of Valor members may fish on the same basis. It is keyed to the AWARD, not to a disability rating, so a Purple Heart recipient with no VA rating at all qualifies. The AIS prevention pass is still required. A limited nonresident route exists through veteran-rehabilitation nonprofits, and the state reimburses Fish, Wildlife and Parks from the general fund — so there is no reason for an office to be reluctant.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

A Montana resident awarded the Purple Heart may fish and hunt upland game birds holding only a conservation licence, at any age. Wild turkey is excluded. Legion of Valor members may fish on the same basis. It is keyed to the AWARD, not to a disability rating, so a Purple Heart recipient with no VA rating at all qualifies. The AIS prevention pass is still required. A limited nonresident route exists through veteran-rehabilitation nonprofits, and the state reimburses Fish, Wildlife and Parks from the general fund — so there is no reason for an office to be reluctant.

What it's worth: Fishing and upland game bird licence fees avoided; a conservation licence is enough

  • Montana residents awarded the PURPLE HEART, AT ANY AGE, may fish and hunt upland game birds with only a conservation licence.
  • WILD TURKEY IS EXCLUDED.
  • LEGION OF VALOR members may fish on the same basis.
  • It is keyed to the AWARD, NOT to a disability rating.
  • THE AIS PREVENTION PASS IS STILL REQUIRED.
  • A limited NONRESIDENT route exists through veteran-rehabilitation nonprofits.
  • The state reimburses Fish, Wildlife and Parks from the general fund, so the agency is not out of pocket.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You were awarded the Purple Heart.
  • Montana licences.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Go to an FWP office with evidence of the Purple Heart — the DD214 or the award citation.
  2. 2Buy the conservation licence. That is the only licence you need for fishing and upland game birds.
  3. 3Buy the AIS prevention pass separately. It is not covered.
  4. 4Do not assume a VA rating is needed. The award is the qualification.
  5. 5If you are a Legion of Valor member, ask about the fishing route on the same terms.
Form
Applied for at a Fish, Wildlife and Parks office
File with
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Documents you will need
dd214
Annual
Claimed once a year.
Worth knowingWild turkey is the one bird outside this. Everything else in upland game birds is covered by the conservation licence alone.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.