Chapter 29

29.193(2)(c)1. 1. The department shall issue a Class A permit under this subsection to an applicant who is permanently disabled, as determined by the department, in any of the following ways:

29.193(2)(c)1.a. a. Has a permanent or irreversible physical disability, is unable to ambulate and requires a wheelchair, walker, one leg brace or external prosthesis above the knee, 2 leg braces or external prostheses below the knees, 2 crutches or 2 canes for mobility.

29.193(2)(c)1.b. b. Suffers significantly from lung disease, to the extent that forced expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest.

29.193(2)(c)1.c. c. Suffers significantly from cardiovascular disease, to the extent that functional limitations are classified in severity as class 3 or 4, according to standards accepted by the American heart association on May 3, 1988, and where ordinary physical activity causes discomfort, fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or anginal pain.

29.193(2)(c)2. 2. The department shall issue a Class B permit under this subsection to an applicant who has a temporary disability which restricts mobility or ambulation due to injury or operative procedures and who either has a leg, hip or back, or any part thereof, casted by a licensed physician due to a fracture or has leg, hip or back surgery.

29.193(2)(c)2m. 2m. The department may issue a Class B permit under this subsection to an applicant who has a temporary disability which restricts mobility or ambulation due to illness, injury or operative procedures.

29.193(2)(c)3. 3. The department may issue a Class B permit to an applicant who is ineligible for a permit under subd. 1., 2. or 2m. or who is denied a permit under subd. 1., 2. or 2m. if, upon review and after considering the physical condition of the applicant and the recommendation of a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed chiropractor, a licensed podiatrist, or a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber selected by the applicant from a list of licensed physicians, licensed physician assistants, licensed chiropractors, licensed podiatrists, and certified advanced practice nurse prescribers compiled by the department, the department finds that issuance of a permit complies with the intent of this subsection. The use of this review procedure is discretionary with the department and all costs of the review procedure shall be paid by the applicant.

29.193(2)(c)4. 4. The department shall issue a Class C permit to any person who is visually handicapped.

29.193(2)(c)5. 5. The department shall issue a Class D permit to any person who meets the requirements under par. (cd).

29.193(2)(cd) (cd) Class D permit requirements.

29.193(2)(cd)1. 1. A person is eligible for a Class D permit if he or she meets the requirements specified in subds. 2. and 3.

29.193(2)(cd)2. 2. A person meets the requirements of this subdivision if any of the following applies:

29.193(2)(cd)2.a. a. The person has an amputation or other loss of one or more arms at or above the elbow.

29.193(2)(cd)2.b. b. The person has a permanent substantial loss of function in one or both arms and fails to meet the minimum standards of the standard upper extremity pinch test, the standard grip test, or the standard nine-hole peg test, administered under the direction of a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed chiropractor, or a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber.

29.193(2)(cd)2.c. c. The person has a permanent substantial loss of function in one or both shoulders and fails to meet the minimum standards of the standard shoulder strength test, administered under the direction of a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed chiropractor, or a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber.

29.193(2)(cd)3. 3. A person meets the requirements of this subdivision if any of the following applies:

29.193(2)(cd)3.a. a. The person is unable to place his or her nondominant hand or prosthesis in a position that is level with his or her shoulders and at a minimum distance of 27 inches from his or her body or is unable to hold a 5-pound weight for 10 seconds when that person’s nondominant hand or prosthesis is in that position.

29.193(2)(cd)3.b. b. The person is unable to place his or her dominant hand or prosthesis in a position that is level with his or her shoulders at a minimum distance of 11 inches from his or her body.

29.193(2)(cg) (cg) Approval required. In order to hunt, fish or troll after receiving a permit under this section, the permit holder must apply for and be issued, or must already hold, any type of approval required under this chapter for the type of hunting or fishing that he or she will be doing.

29.193(2)(cr) (cr) Authorization.

29.193(2)(cr)1. 1. A person holding a current resident or nonresident deer hunting license and a Class A or Class C permit may hunt deer of either sex during any season open to hunting of deer with firearms that is established by the department.

29.193(2)(cr)2. 2. A Class A permit authorizes the holder to do all of the following:

29.193(2)(cr)2.a. a. Shoot or hunt from a stationary vehicle.

29.193(2)(cr)2.b. b. Fish or troll as authorized under sub. (1m) (b).

29.193(2)(cr)3. 3. A Class B permit authorizes the holder to use any of the hunting or fishing methods authorized in this chapter for a holder of a Class A permit that are specifically approved by the department for that Class B permit holder upon issuance or subsequent modification of the Class B permit.

29.193(2)(cr)4. 4. A person holding a current resident or nonresident deer hunting license and a Class D permit may hunt deer of either sex with a firearm or airgun only during a special season established by the department that is open for hunting deer with firearms by disabled persons who hold a permit under this section.

29.193(2)(d) (d) Assistance.

29.193(2)(d)1. 1. A holder of a Class A or Class B permit may be accompanied by a person who is not eligible to apply for a Class A or Class B permit. The accompanying person may not hunt or carry a firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow unless that person has been issued the appropriate approval to do so. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person who has not been issued the appropriate approval is limited to field dressing, tagging, and retrieving game for the permit holder.

29.193(2)(d)2. 2. A holder of a Class C permit shall be accompanied by a person who is not eligible to apply for a permit under this section. The accompanying person may not hunt or carry a firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow unless the person has been issued the appropriate approval to do so. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person may include sighting the firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow, identifying the game, and field dressing, tagging, and retrieving game for the permit holder.

29.193(2)(d)3. 3. A holder of a Class D permit may use an adaptive device, as authorized by the department by rule, to facilitate the use of a firearm or an airgun and may be accompanied by a person who is not eligible to apply for a permit under this section. The accompanying person may not hunt or carry a firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow unless that person has been issued the appropriate approval to do so. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person who has not been issued the appropriate approval is limited to field dressing, tagging, and retrieving game for the permit holder and any other assistance authorized by the department by rule.

29.193(2)(e) (e) Review of decisions. An applicant denied a permit under this subsection, except a permit under par. (c) 3., may obtain a review of that decision by a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed chiropractor, a licensed podiatrist, or a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber designated by the department and with an office located in the department district in which the applicant resides. The department shall pay for the cost of a review under this paragraph unless the denied application on its face fails to meet the standards set forth in par. (c) 1. or 2. A review under this paragraph is the only method of review of a decision to deny a permit under this subsection and is not subject to further review under ch. 227.

29.193(3) (3) Annual fishing license for disabled persons. The department or a county clerk appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2. shall issue, subject to s. 29.024 (2g), an annual disabled person fishing license to any resident at the time the resident applies for this license if the resident does one of the following:

29.193(3)(a) (a) Produces a certificate from a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed optometrist, or a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber stating that his or her sight is impaired to the degree that he or she cannot read ordinary newspaper print with or without corrective glasses.

29.193(3)(b) (b) Produces evidence that shows that he or she is receiving benefits under 38 USC 1521 to 1523, 42 USC 401 to 433, 42 USC 1381 to 1381d, or 45 USC 231a (a) (1) (iv) or (v) because of a determination that he or she is disabled.

29.193(3)(c) (c) Produces evidence that shows that he or she is a veteran, as defined in 38 USC 101, and is receiving disability compensation benefits under 38 USC 1101 to 1163 for disabilities that result in a disability rating that is 70 percent or greater under 38 USC 1114 or 1134, or is receiving disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable under 38 CFR 4.16 as authorized under 38 USC 501.

29.193(3m) (3m) Temporary fishing license for disabled persons. If a person submits an application to a nongovernmental issuing agent for an annual disabled person fishing license that includes the evidence specified in sub. (3) (a), (b), or (c) and the applicable license fee and issuing fee, the nongovernmental issuing agent shall issue, subject to s. 29.024 (2g), a temporary disabled person fishing license to the applicant. The nongovernmental issuing agent shall promptly forward all of the application materials for the annual fishing license to the department for the department’s review. A temporary fishing license issued under this subsection is valid for 14 days after the date of issuance. If the department denies the application for an annual fishing license, the department shall notify the applicant within 30 days after the date the temporary fishing license is issued. If the department approves the application, the department shall issue, subject to s. 29.024 (2g), the annual fishing license and mail it to the applicant within 30 days after the date the temporary fishing license is issued. The department may not charge any type of fee for issuing the annual fishing license, and the department may not refund the applicable fees for the temporary fishing license if the department denies the application for the temporary fishing license.

29.193(4) (4) Federal matching funds. If the department determines that the fee collected for an annual fishing license issued under sub. (3) (c) is less or more than is necessary to qualify these licenses for matching funding under 16 USC 777c, the department shall submit proposed legislation to the legislature in the manner provided under s. 13.172 (2) to adjust the fee so that it equals the minimum amount necessary to qualify for the matching funding.

29.193(5) (5) Group fishing license for the developmentally disabled.

29.193(5)(a) (a) “Developmental disability” has the meaning given in s. 51.01 (5) (a).

29.193(5)(b) (b) The department shall issue one-day group fishing licenses to groups consisting of individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Not more than 12 individuals may fish under the privilege conferred by each license.

29.193 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 135 to 142, 323, 410; 1997 a. 249 ss. 3 to 13; 1997 a. 322 ss. 2, 3; 1999 a. 9, 32; 2001 a. 17; 2009 a. 109, 113, 119, 132, 375; 2011 a. 168, 252; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 61; 2015 a. 97, 363; 2023 a. 115.

29.194 29.194 Resident approvals for certain nonresidents and members of the armed forces.

29.194(1) (1) Resident approvals for certain nonresidents.

29.194(1)(a) (a) Notwithstanding ss. 29.024 (2) and 29.228 (1) (a), the department shall issue a resident fishing license, resident small game hunting license or resident deer hunting license to a qualified student applying for the license. A qualified student is a person who exhibits proof that he or she is a registered full-time student who is present in this state attending a public or private college or university that is located in this state and that offers an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree or that he or she is a citizen of a foreign country temporarily residing in this state while attending a high school located in this state or an agricultural short course at the University of Wisconsin System.

29.194(1)(b) (b) The department shall treat a qualified recipient of a purple heart medal, a qualified member of the armed forces, a qualified member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, or a qualified member of the national guard as a resident for purposes of determining the person’s eligibility for and cost of obtaining a hunting, trapping, or fishing approval under this chapter, except for a conservation patron license issued under s. 29.235 (3m). A qualified recipient of a purple heart medal is a person who is not a resident who exhibits proof that he or she has received a purple heart medal. A qualified member of the armed forces is a person who exhibits proof that he or she is in active service in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated in the U.S. armed forces and that he or she is stationed in this state. A qualified member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces is a person who exhibits proof that he or she is a member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces located in this state. A qualified member of the national guard is a person who exhibits proof that he or she is a member of the Wisconsin national guard.

29.194(1)(c) (c) In addition to being able to qualify under par. (b), for purposes of qualifying for a resident hunting or fishing approval, a member of the armed forces not stationed in this state or a member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces not located in this state shall be treated as a resident if the member was a resident at the time he or she entered active service.

29.194(1)(d) (d)

29.194(1)(d)1. 1. In this paragraph, “terminally ill” means that an individual has been certified by a physician as having an illness or physical condition that can reasonably be expected to result in death.

29.194(1)(d)2. 2. The department shall treat an individual as a resident for purposes of determining the person’s eligibility for a hunting or fishing approval under this chapter, except for a conservation patron license issued under s. 29.235 (3m), if the individual presents proof that he or she is terminally ill and is participating in a hunting-related or fishing-related event sponsored by a charitable organization that is described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

29.194(1)(d)3. 3. An individual under subd. 2. or a resident who presents the same proof as required under subd. 2. is not required to pay any fee imposed for a hunting or fishing approval, including any issuing, handling, or processing fee or any wildlife damage surcharge.

29.194(2) (2) Resident armed forces fishing license. An annual fishing license shall be issued by the department to any member of the U.S. armed forces applying for this license who exhibits proof that he or she is in active service with the armed forces and that he or she is a resident on furlough or leave.

29.194(3) (3) Resident armed forces small game hunting license. A small game hunting license shall be issued by the department to any member of the U.S. armed forces applying for this license who exhibits proof that he or she is in active service with the armed forces and that he or she is a resident on furlough or leave.

29.194 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 158 to 160, 411; 2005 a. 243, 283; 2007 a. 23, 51, 97; 2009 a. 180; 2013 a. 55; 2017 a. 182.

29.194 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.001, Wis. adm. code.

29.1945 29.1945 Approvals for veterans and military members.

29.1945(1) (1) In this section, “war period” means any of the following:

29.1945(1)(a) (a) A period between September 11, 2001, and the ending date of Operation Enduring Freedom or an operation that is a successor to Operation Enduring Freedom, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

29.1945(1)(b) (b) A period between March 19, 2003, and the ending date of Operation Iraqi Freedom or an operation that is a successor to Operation Iraqi Freedom, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

29.1945(2) (2) The department of veterans affairs shall issue a voucher for a hunting or fishing license to each person who applies for the voucher and who is a qualified veteran. The voucher entitles a qualified veteran receiving the voucher to the waiver of the fee, including the issuing fee, and any applicable surcharge imposed under s. 29.563 (13) (a) for a single hunting or fishing license. The license may be a resident small game hunting license, a resident deer hunting license, a resident archer hunting license, or a resident annual fishing license. To qualify for the fee waiver, the qualified veteran must submit the voucher to the department of natural resources within 365 days after the date on which the qualified veteran is discharged or released. A voucher may not be presented to a person who is subject to an appointment or a contract as authorized under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2. to 4. but must be submitted directly to the department of natural resources. Upon receiving the voucher, the department of natural resources shall waive the fees and any applicable surcharge and issue the license. On an annual basis, the department of veterans affairs shall pay to the department of natural resources an amount that equals the total of fees and surcharges that have been waived by the department of natural resources under this subsection.

29.1945(3) (3) 

29.1945(3)(a) (a) For purposes of this section, a qualified veteran is a resident who is one of the following:

29.1945(3)(a)1. 1. A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12) (a) to (f), who served in a war period.

29.1945(3)(a)2. 2. A member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or of the national guard, as defined in 32 USC 101 (3), who has served in a war period and who has served under honorable conditions for at least one year beginning on the member’s date of enlistment in a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or in the national guard.

29.1945(3)(a)3. 3. A person who served in a war period who was discharged from a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or from the national guard, as defined in 32 USC 101 (3), if that discharge was an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.

29.1945(3)(b) (b) For purposes of this section, the department of veterans affairs shall establish a procedure for determining who qualifies as a veteran. Before issuing a license, the department of natural resources shall request the department of veterans affairs to verify whether the applicant is a qualified veteran. If the department of veterans affairs verifies that the applicant for a license is a qualified veteran, the department of natural resources shall issue the license without charging a fee.

29.1945 History History: 2013 a. 20.

29.195 29.195 Disabled veterans, Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Notwithstanding any other statute, any disabled veteran who is a patient at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Illinois, may hunt pheasant in this state in Columbia County on any one day in November in each year, the day to be specified by the administrator of the hospital to the department, without obtaining a resident or nonresident hunting license under this chapter.

29.195 History History: 1971 c. 127; 1973 c. 243 s. 81; 1997 a. 248 s. 281; Stats. 1997 s. 29.195.

29.197 29.197 Waivers of certain approvals.

29.197(1) (1) Definition. In this section “recreational activity” means hunting, fishing or trapping for sport.

29.197(2) (2) Waiver. For a special event or program that involves a recreational activity and that is sponsored or approved by the department, the department may waive the requirement that persons have approvals required under this chapter, and pay the applicable fees, for the recreational activity if the department finds that all of the following apply:

29.197(2)(a) (a) The special event or program will provide education in or appreciation of the recreational activity.

29.197(2)(b) (b) The waiver of the approval requirement will not result in a substantial loss of revenue to the department as determined by rule by the department.

29.197(3) (3) Weekend events. In addition to any special event or program sponsored under sub. (2), the department shall, by rule, designate 2 special event weekends per year during which it shall waive the requirement that persons be issued fishing licenses and pay the applicable fees in order to fish in the waters of this state. The department shall designate the full weekend prior to the 3rd Monday in January as one of the special event weekends. The department shall, by rule, designate to which inland or outlying waters these waivers shall apply.

29.197(4) (4) Publicizing. The department shall, in cooperation with and with the assistance of the department of tourism, publicize the special events and programs sponsored or approved under this section.

29.197(5) (5) Conditions; limitations. For a recreational activity that is the subject of the special event or program under this section, the department may waive conditions, limitations or restrictions required under this chapter or may establish reasonable conditions, limitations or restrictions that are in addition to those required under this chapter.

29.197(6) (6) Limitations on participants.

29.197(6)(a) (a) Persons who fish, hunt or trap in events or programs under this section may not sell, trade or barter the wild animals taken during the event or program. These persons are subject to all other conditions, limitations and restrictions required under this chapter except those waived.

29.197(6)(b) (b) Persons who help or assist in conducting a special event or program, who are not employees of the department, and who are engaged in the recreational activity, are not exempt from possessing the approvals required under this chapter for the recreational activity.

29.197(7) (7) Exclusion. No person who holds a commercial fishing license issued under s. 29.519 may fish in an event or program under this section.

29.197(8) (8) Requests for waivers. Any person conducting a special event or program that involves a recreational activity for which an approval is required under this chapter may request a waiver of the approval requirement from the department. A denial of a waiver request is not subject to review under ch. 227.

29.197 History History: 1985 a. 326; 1993 a. 182, 217, 491; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 195; 1997 a. 248 ss. 368 to 374; Stats. 1997 s. 29.197; 1999 a. 32; 2011 a. 168; 2023 a. 109.

29.197 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s.s NR 19.025 and 20.25, Wis. adm. code.

29.199 29.199 Authorizations for certain patients and institutionalized persons to fish. The department shall issue an authorization without charge to a county hospital, state or federal mental hospital, state correctional institution or nonprofit institution located in this state for rehabilitation purposes upon request of the superintendent of the institution. The authorization permits a resident of the hospital or institution who is supervised by an employee of the hospital or institution to fish for fish subject to all other provisions of law.

29.199 History History: 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 248 s. 375; Stats. 1997 s. 29.199.

29.201 29.201 Waiver of fishing license requirement for groups of disabled persons. The department may exempt from the requirement of having fishing licenses groups of persons who are developmentally or physically disabled and who are participating in fishing excursions conducted by nonprofit organizations. The department need not promulgate as rules under ch. 227, the exemptions authorized under this section.

29.201 History History: 1993 a. 324; 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 248 s. 376; Stats. 1997 s. 29.201.

29.204 29.204 Nonresident annual small game hunting license.

29.204(1) (1) A nonresident annual small game hunting license shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to any nonresident applying for this license. The nonresident annual small game hunting license authorizes the hunting of small game during the appropriate open season but does not authorize the hunting of deer, elk, bear, wild turkey, or fur-bearing animals.