DNR News Release: New bill gives significant discounts to Purple Heart recipients
MADISON – Residents and non-residents who have received a Purple Heart can now purchase a conservation patron license for a discounted price. Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law, allowing in-state Purple Heart recipients to buy a conservation patron license for $10 (normally $165) and non-resident Purple Heart recipients to purchase the license for $161 (normally $600). Non-resident Purple Heart recipients can also purchase individual hunting, fishing and trapping licenses at resident rates.
The conservation patron license is one license that includes a wide variety of hunting, fishing, trapping and other state licenses. The reduced-fee conservation patron license does not include a subscription to Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
Purple Heart recipients who wish to receive the reduced-fee license will need to provide documentation to a Department of Natural Resources service center showing the medal was awarded to the customer. Acceptable forms of documentation include:
- DD-214, the Department of Defense “Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty” form
- DD-215, Correction to DD-214 form
- Official documents of separation from their branch; Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and any other forces incorporated into the armed forces, such as National Guard or Army, Navy Air Force or Marine Reserves
Purple Heart recipients will only need to provide this documentation once as it will be entered into their customer record for future reference.