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Free Lifetime Bird, Small Game and Fish — 100% or Purple Heart

Two alternative routes, not two conditions. An honorably discharged resident veteran who is 100% disabled per the VA qualifies; so, separately, does any Purple Heart recipient with an honorable discharge. Either way the licences — lifetime game bird, small game and fish — are issued without charge, and either way Wyoming residency of not less than one year is required and the licences stay valid only while residency holds.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Two alternative routes, not two conditions. An honorably discharged resident veteran who is 100% disabled per the VA qualifies; so, separately, does any Purple Heart recipient with an honorable discharge. Either way the licences — lifetime game bird, small game and fish — are issued without charge, and either way Wyoming residency of not less than one year is required and the licences stay valid only while residency holds.

What it's worth: Lifetime game bird, small game and fish licences at no charge

  • The nearest priced comparison in the same fee schedule is the $309 resident lifetime fishing licence — the bird and small game licences stack on top of that value.
  • The 100% rating and the Purple Heart are ALTERNATIVE routes. A Purple Heart recipient does not also need a 100% rating.
  • The Veterans Commission booklet requires residency in Wyoming for not less than one year.
  • The Purple Heart route requires an honorable discharge plus proof: a DD-214, a Veteran ID Card carrying the Purple Heart designation, or the medal certificate.
  • Validity continues only while Wyoming residency holds. Leaving the state ends it.

Who is entitled to it

  • Your VA rating is 100%.
  • You received the Purple Heart.
  • Your discharge was honorable.
  • You are a resident of this state.

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. 1Apply once to the department with proof of residency and either VA certification of the 100% rating or documented proof of the Purple Heart (DD-214, VA card with Purple Heart designation, or the medal certificate).
  2. 2The licences remain valid for as long as you stay a resident — the statute ties validity to residency, not to renewal.
  3. 3The rating route requires an honorable discharge in terms; the Purple Heart route requires honorable discharge too.
Form
Disabled resident veteran / Purple Heart application
File with
Game and Fish Department
Documents you will need
va benefit summary letter · dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingA separate subsection, §23-1-705(e)(iii), issues free elk or deer, game bird and small game licences to residents on active duty deployed to a combat zone who are home on leave during the season — a serving-member benefit rather than a veteran one, claimed with deployment certification.

Sources

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