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One Free Licence on Coming Home — and the Voucher Runs 365 Days

A recently discharged Wisconsin resident veteran gets ONE free licence of their choosing: SMALL GAME, ARCHERY, GUN DEER OR ANNUAL FISHING. It arrives as a VOUCHER CODE WITH A 365-DAY REDEMPTION WINDOW, which is the detail that matters — the clock starts when the voucher issues, not when the season opens, so a voucher taken in spring for a gun deer licence has to be redeemed before the following spring.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

A recently discharged Wisconsin resident veteran gets ONE free licence of their choosing: SMALL GAME, ARCHERY, GUN DEER OR ANNUAL FISHING. It arrives as a VOUCHER CODE WITH A 365-DAY REDEMPTION WINDOW, which is the detail that matters — the clock starts when the voucher issues, not when the season opens, so a voucher taken in spring for a gun deer licence has to be redeemed before the following spring.

What it's worth: One free small game, archery, gun deer or annual fishing licence

  • ONE licence, ONE TIME: SMALL GAME, ARCHERY, GUN DEER OR ANNUAL FISHING — your choice.
  • Issued as a VOUCHER CODE with a 365-DAY REDEMPTION WINDOW.
  • THE CLOCK STARTS WHEN THE VOUCHER ISSUES, not when the season opens.
  • So a voucher taken in spring for a gun deer licence must be redeemed before the following spring.
  • RECENTLY DISCHARGED Wisconsin resident veterans.
  • NO DISABILITY REQUIREMENT.
  • Wisconsin's separate disabled veteran recreation records are unaffected by this.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • Your discharge meets the test.
  • 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

Deadline: 365 days from voucher issue
  1. 1Ask the DNR for the returning veteran's voucher.
  2. 2Choose deliberately — you get one licence, not one of each.
  3. 3Note the date the voucher issues. The 365 days run from then.
  4. 4If you want the gun deer licence, time the voucher so the redemption window covers the season you intend to hunt.
  5. 5Ask whether stamps and permits are separate; the voucher covers the licence.
Form
Voucher through the Wisconsin DNR
File with
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingTake the voucher when you know which licence you want and when you will use it. Requesting it the week you get home and forgetting about it is the most common way it is wasted.

Sources

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