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Purple Heart — a $10 Conservation Patron Licence, and Resident Rates If You Live Elsewhere

Wisconsin sells the CONSERVATION PATRON LICENCE — its all-in package — to a Purple Heart recipient for $10 RESIDENT or $161 NONRESIDENT. Better still, a NONRESIDENT Purple Heart recipient may buy hunting, fishing and trapping approvals AT RESIDENT RATES, which on out-of-state licences is a large saving. There is also a one-time CLASS A BEAR LICENCE TRANSFER. All of it turns on the medal with proof, not on a disability rating.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Wisconsin sells the CONSERVATION PATRON LICENCE — its all-in package — to a Purple Heart recipient for $10 RESIDENT or $161 NONRESIDENT. Better still, a NONRESIDENT Purple Heart recipient may buy hunting, fishing and trapping approvals AT RESIDENT RATES, which on out-of-state licences is a large saving. There is also a one-time CLASS A BEAR LICENCE TRANSFER. All of it turns on the medal with proof, not on a disability rating.

What it's worth: Conservation Patron licence at $10 resident / $161 nonresident; resident rates for nonresidents

  • CONSERVATION PATRON LICENCE at $10 RESIDENT or $161 NONRESIDENT.
  • NONRESIDENT recipients may buy HUNTING, FISHING AND TRAPPING APPROVALS AT RESIDENT RATES — several of these privileges cross state lines.
  • A one-time CLASS A BEAR LICENCE TRANSFER.
  • PROOF OF THE MEDAL is required.
  • NO DISABILITY RATING IS NEEDED.
  • The Conservation Patron licence is Wisconsin's all-in package, so $10 for a resident recipient is a very large discount.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You were awarded the Purple Heart.
  • Wisconsin 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. 1Take proof of the Purple Heart — the DD-214 or the citation — to the DNR.
  2. 2Ask for the Conservation Patron licence specifically; it is the package the $10 rate applies to.
  3. 3If you live out of state, ask for resident rates on hunting, fishing and trapping approvals. That is a named privilege.
  4. 4Ask about the one-time Class A bear licence transfer if that is of interest.
  5. 5No disability rating is required, so apply even if you have never filed a VA claim.
Form
Purchase through the Wisconsin DNR with proof of the medal
File with
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Documents you will need
dd214
Annual
Claimed once a year.
Worth knowingResident rates for a nonresident is rare. A Purple Heart recipient living in Illinois or Minnesota who hunts Wisconsin should ask about it specifically.

Sources

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