How to apply for Iowa lifetime hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans ($7)

Who it's for

Iowa residents who served on active federal service (not training) and have a service-connected disability rating from the VA can get a lifetime hunting and/or fishing license for $7.00, including the administrative fee. A lifetime fur harvester license is also $7.00, and one extra Any Deer tag for any firearm season is available for $33.00. You must have lived in Iowa for at least 90 days before applying. You still need to buy the yearly fish and wildlife fees. Apply with DNR Form 542-1412 by mail, by email to Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, or by uploading it to your Go Outdoors Iowa account. Call DNR Customer Service at 515-725-8200 with questions.

What you'll need

• Application for Iowa Resident Disabled Veterans Lifetime Licenses and Tags (DNR Form 542-1412)
• Copy of DD-214 (#2 or higher) showing Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions
• Copy of a current VA letter showing you are entitled to a service-connected disability rating
• Hunter Safety Certificate, if you were born after January 1, 1972 and plan to hunt (only if not already on your DNR account)

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Iowa lifetime hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans ($7). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need application for Iowa Resident Disabled Veterans Lifetime Licenses and Tags (DNR Form 542-1412), copy of DD-214 (#2 or higher) showing Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions, copy of a current VA letter showing you are entitled to a service-connected disability rating — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Check that you meet the basic rules before you apply. You must be an Iowa resident, have lived in Iowa for at least 90 days, have served on active federal service that was not training, and have a VA service-connected disability rating.
2. Gather your required documents. Get the Application for Iowa Resident Disabled Veterans Lifetime Licenses and Tags (DNR Form 542-1412), a copy of your DD-214 (#2 or higher) showing Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions, and a copy of a current VA letter showing you are entitled to a service-connected disability rating.
3. Add your Hunter Safety Certificate if needed. Include it if you were born after January 1, 1972 and plan to hunt, but only if it is not already on your DNR account.
4. Complete DNR Form 542-1412. If you have questions while filling it out, call DNR Customer Service at 515-725-8200.
5. Submit your application in one of the allowed ways. Mail the form and copies of your documents, email them to Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, or upload them to your Go Outdoors Iowa account.
6. Check with DNR if your disability rating is 0%. The form wording says any service-connected disability rating may qualify, even though this screen asks about ratings of 10% or more.
7. Buy yearly fish and wildlife fees after you get the lifetime license, since those fees are still required.

What to expect: After you submit your application, the DNR reviews it and decides eligibility. Mailed applications take at least two weeks, and other processing times can vary, so ask the DNR for an estimate if needed. This is a one-time application for a lifetime license, so there is no yearly renewal for the license itself.

Renewals

one-time (lifetime license)