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Free Hunting and Fishing Licences — and a Separate Route for Former POWs
Free licences for a permanently and totally disabled Ohio veteran, and separately for any former prisoner of war, on an annual, multi-year or lifetime basis.
Verified August 18, 2026
What this benefit is
Free licences for a permanently and totally disabled Ohio veteran, and separately for any former prisoner of war, on an annual, multi-year or lifetime basis.
What it's worth: Hunting licence, fishing licence, fur taker permit and wetlands habitat stamp, free
- Estimated on the combined resident cost of the licences and stamp bought annually.
Who is entitled to it
- You served in the U.S. armed forces.
- You hold an honorable discharge.
- The VA has determined your disability permanently and totally disabling and you receive a pension or compensation.
- You were a prisoner of war, which is a separate route with no disability requirement at all.
- You are an Ohio resident.
- Your home is in Ohio.
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
- 1Get VA certification of the permanent and total determination, or documentation of prisoner of war status.
- 2Apply on the Division of Wildlife form — there is a combined Disabled Veterans and Former POWs application.
- 3Ask about the multi-year or lifetime issue. The statute allows the chief to issue on an annual, multi-year or lifetime basis, and the default is the shortest.
- File with
- The Ohio Division of Wildlife
- Documents you will need
- va benefit summary letter · dd214
- Annual recertification
- The statute requires those exempt from purchase to apply annually on the official form, so this is not a permanent grant even where the disability is.
Worth knowingThe prisoner of war route carries no disability test whatsoever. A former POW who is not disabled at all gets the same free licences, which is unusual enough to be worth stating separately.
Worth knowingThe licence can be issued annually, for multiple years, or for life, as the chief of the division determines. Asking is free and the difference is a lifetime of paperwork.
Sources
- authority · statuteOhio Rev. Code §1533.12
- operating · published policyOhio Department of Veterans Services — Recreation Discounts
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.