Discounted hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans
Indiana residents who have served in the armed forces and have a documented service-connected disability are eligible for a DAV license to fish or hunt small game. If you're looking for the permit application for a hunter with a disability, visit our permitting website.
FAQs
- Who is eligible for the DAV license?
Indiana residents who have served in the armed forces and have a documented service-connected disability are eligible.
- How can I purchase my DAV license?
You will need to purchase your first DAV license either in the mail through the DNR customer service center or by taking the attached application certified by the Indiana Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs to a DNR property. You can send in a check or money order payable to IDNR when you submit the application and your license will be mailed to you upon the certification by the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs and payment for the license.
- How much does the license cost and what does it cover?
The license sells for $2.75 and covers the hunting of small game as well as fishing, excluding any stamps. You can buy a 10-year DAV license for $27.50. This covers the same as above for a total of 10 hunting/fishing seasons.
- Are stamps included on the license?
No, Game bird, Waterfowl, and Trout and Salmon stamps are not included in the discounted license.
- Can I buy stamps for my DAV license?
Yes, you may purchase stamps at the regular price to affix to your DAV license.
- Does my DAV license cover deer or turkey hunting?
No, your DAV license is good for small game hunting or fishing only.
- How do I purchase my license in future years?
Once you receive your certified application, you may use it or your previous license to purchase future licenses on-line or at any retailer and eliminate any delay. Please note that your first DAV license must be purchased at the IDNR Customer Service Center or an IDNR property. Just show your license or certified application to the vendor for proof of your eligibility.
Most state properties sell the DAV licenses, as do many licensed vendors around the state.
Call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 317-232-4200 if you have any more questions.
- Who sells the DAV licenses?
Most state properties sell the DAV licenses as well as many licensed vendors around the state.
- Who may I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
You may contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, at (317) 232-4200 or the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs, at (317) 232-3910.
Permits for disabled hunters
Individuals with a disability that prevents them from being able to hunt wild animals under regular hunting regulations may request a special permit from the DNR. Special permits may allow those who cannot walk or have serious walking limitations to hunt from a vehicle or gain special vehicle access on public property. For the rule or application form, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife by calling 317-234-8440 or go to our permit page. This permit is in addition to any license or stamp required by law to hunt in Indiana.
Hunter education for disabled hunters
Individuals with certain permanent developmental disabilities as defined in state law may apply for a conditional hunter education card. The individual must first take the hunter education class. Hunter education classes and additional information can be found through the DNR’s Division of Law Enforcement.
Opportunities for disabled hunters
DNR Properties
All DNR properties that allow hunting have areas for hunters with disabilities to access; however, to hunt with the use or aid of a motor-driven conveyance, the individual must first obtain a permit from the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Contact the property where you wish to hunt, present a copy of the permit to the property office, and they can provide you with more instructions for where to safely hunt on that property. On some properties, access may need to be provided with a key. There are additional restrictions governing the use of ATVs and other motor-driven conveyances on public property, and ATVs may not be able to be used on all properties (e.g., they are not allowed in Fish & Wildlife areas). Property contact information is in the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide and the Recreation Finder webpage. The Indiana Recreation Guide provides information on state parks, lakes, Fish & Wildlife areas, state forests and other DNR properties. Please see its legend for recreation symbols (see page 3) to discover accessible features at all DNR properties.
If you need special access to fish on a DNR property, please contact the property office.
Crane NSA Deer Hunt
Crane NSA is a federal property that offers a special opportunity for deer hunters with disabilities one day a year. To be eligible, the person must first have a permit from the DNR to hunt from a stationary motor-driven conveyance and pass a background check. A hunter may have up to two assistants (helpers) on the day of the hunt. For more information or to get an application form, call Crane NSA at 812-854-1165.
New free hunting days for catastrophically disabled veterans that are residents of Indiana
Residents of Indiana who are catastrophically disabled veterans can now hunt for free (without a license or state stamp) on four days in 2024: Sept. 7-8 and Nov. 30 & Dec. 1. No license or state stamp is required on these four days on private land and public land where hunting is allowed during the season. To qualify, the hunter must be catastrophically disabled as defined by federal law in 38 CFR 17.36(e), which means to have a permanent severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease that compromises the ability to carry out the activities of daily living to such a degree that the individual requires personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or bed or requires constant supervision to avoid physical harm to self or others. Disabilities in this federal definition include quadriplegia and quadriparesis; paraplegia; legal blindness defined as visual impairment of 20/200 or less visual acuity in the better seeing eye with corrective lenses, or a visual field restriction of 20 degrees or less in the better seeing eye with corrective lenses; persistent vegetative state; or a condition resulting from two of the following procedures, provided the two procedures were not on the same limb:
(i) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of or through the hand;
(ii) Disarticulation, detachment, or reamputation of or through the wrist;
(iii) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the forearm at or through the radius and ulna;
(iv) Amputation, detachment, or disarticulation of the forearm at or through the elbow;
(v) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the arm at or through the humerus;
(vi) Disarticulation or detachment of the arm at or through the shoulder;
(vii) Interthoracoscapular (forequarter) amputation or detachment;
(viii) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the leg at or through the tibia and fibula;
(ix) Amputation or detachment of or through the great toe;
(x) Amputation or detachment of or through the foot;
(xi) Disarticulation or detachment of the foot at or through the ankle;
(xii) Amputation or detachment of the foot at or through malleoli of the tibia and fibula;
(xiii) Amputation or detachment of the lower leg at or through the knee;
(xiv) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the leg at or through the femur;
(xv) Disarticulation or detachment of the leg at or through the hip; and
(xvi) Interpelviaabdominal (hindquarter) amputation or detachment.
A catastrophically disabled veteran who hunts during a free hunting day must comply with all hunting laws, including season dates, bag limits, and legal equipment and be accompanied by an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age. The individual who accompanies a catastrophically disabled veteran:
(1) is not required to hold a valid hunting license
(2) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the catastrophically disabled veteran's activities and communicate with the catastrophically disabled veteran at all times;
(3) may assist the catastrophically disabled veteran, including calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow.
