Free & Discounted Hunting Licenses by State
Find states offering free or reduced-cost licenses for seniors, military, disabled veterans, youth, and landowners.
Who Qualifies for Free or Discounted Hunting Licenses?
Across the United States, most state wildlife agencies provide free or reduced-cost hunting licenses to specific groups of residents. These programs recognize the contributions and circumstances of various populations while encouraging participation in wildlife management and conservation. Eligibility generally falls into five categories:
- Seniors (65+) — Many states offer free lifetime licenses or significantly reduced fees for residents over 65. Some states set the threshold at 60 or 70 years of age.
- Active Military — Service members stationed in a state frequently qualify for resident rates regardless of their home of record. Many states waive fees entirely for active-duty personnel on leave.
- Disabled Veterans — Veterans with a VA-rated disability can qualify for free licenses. The required disability rating varies — from 30% in some states to 100% in others. See our disabled veterans section below for state-by-state details.
- Youth (Under 16/18) — Most states allow young hunters to hunt for free or at minimal cost when accompanied by a licensed adult. Age thresholds and supervision requirements vary.
- Landowners — Property owners can often hunt on their own land without purchasing a license, though acreage minimums and species restrictions may apply.
Scroll through the tables below to find your state's specific programs, or visit our cost comparison page for a broader view of license pricing across all 50 states.
Youth (Under 16/18)
| State | Benefit | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 do not need a hunting license when accompanied by a licensed adult | Details → |
| Alaska | Reduced | Youth licenses at reduced rates | Details → |
| Arizona | Reduced ($5) | Youth 10-17 — $5 combo hunt/fish license | Details → |
| Arkansas | Reduced ($5) | Youth hunters aged 17 and under | Details → |
| California | Reduced ($16.46) | Junior hunting license for under 16 | Details → |
| Colorado | Reduced | Youth big game tags at discounted rate ($20.30) | Details → |
| Connecticut | 50% off | Resident 16-17 year olds pay 50% of adult fees | Details → |
| Delaware | Reduced ($5) | Junior hunting license for ages 13-15 | Details → |
| Florida | Free for under 16 | Children under 16 do not need a hunting license | Details → |
| Georgia | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 may hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult | Details → |
| Hawaii | Standard fee | Youth pay the same license fees | Details → |
| Idaho | Reduced ($91.75 NR mentored) | Mentored hunting for youth 10-17 | Details → |
| Illinois | Reduced ($7.50) | Youth hunting and trapping combo | Details → |
| Indiana | Reduced ($12) | Youth 17 and under — Consolidated Hunt/Trap license | Details → |
| Iowa | Reduced | Youth 15 and under exempt from habitat fee; reduced license | Details → |
| Kansas | Free (under 16 resident) | Kansas residents under 16 do not need a hunting license | Details → |
| Kentucky | Reduced ($6.34) | Youth ages 12-15; under 12 exempt when supervised | Details → |
| Louisiana | Reduced ($5) | Youth hunters aged 17 and under | Details → |
| Maine | Reduced ($8) | Junior hunting license for under 16 | Details → |
| Maryland | Reduced ($15) | Junior hunting license for under 16 | Details → |
| Massachusetts | Reduced ($6.50) | Minor hunting license for ages 15-17 | Details → |
| Michigan | 60% discount + $5 surcharge waived | Age 16 and younger | Details → |
| Minnesota | Reduced or Free | Youth licenses significantly discounted depending on age | Details → |
| Mississippi | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 can hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult | Details → |
| Missouri | Reduced ($9.75 spring turkey, $7.50 fall) | Youth permits at approximately half price | Details → |
| Montana | Reduced rates | Under 18 | Details → |
| Nebraska | Reduced ($8) | Youth 10-15: $8 for all big game tags; under 16 free for small game | Details → |
| Nevada | Reduced ($15) | Youth 12-17 — $15 combo for both residents and non-residents | Details → |
| New Hampshire | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 may hunt with licensed adult supervision | Details → |
| New Jersey | Free | Youth ages 10-16 get free firearm and bow licenses | Details → |
| New Mexico | Reduced | Junior licenses at reduced fees | Details → |
| New York | Reduced ($5) | Junior hunting license for ages 12-15 | Details → |
| North Carolina | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 may hunt without a license when supervised | Details → |
| North Dakota | Reduced ($10) | Youth under 16 — big game license $10 | Details → |
| Ohio | Reduced ($10) | Youth hunting license — both resident and non-resident | Details → |
| Oklahoma | Reduced ($26) | Youth Super Hunting license for 17 and under | Details → |
| Oregon | Reduced ($10) | Youth 12-17 — $10 combo covers hunting + fishing + shellfish | Details → |
| Pennsylvania | Reduced ($6.97 junior, $2.97 mentored) | Junior license ages 12-16; Mentored permit under 12 | Details → |
| Rhode Island | Reduced ($14) | Junior hunting license for ages 12-14 | Details → |
| South Carolina | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 do not need a license | Details → |
| South Dakota | Reduced | Youth hunting licenses at reduced fees | Details → |
| Tennessee | Reduced ($9) | Junior licenses for ages 13-15; under 13 may hunt without a license when supervised | Details → |
| Texas | Reduced ($7) | Under 17 years of age at time of purchase | Details → |
| Utah | Reduced ($44 NR) | Youth hunting and combo licenses at reduced rates | Details → |
| Vermont | Reduced ($8) | Youth hunting license for under 18 | Details → |
| Virginia | Reduced ($7.50) | Junior deer/turkey license for under 16 | Details → |
| Washington | Reduced | Youth licenses at reduced fees | Details → |
| West Virginia | Reduced ($16) | Junior hunt/fish/trap license for ages 15-17 — both resident and NR | Details → |
| Wisconsin | Reduced | Youth licenses at reduced fees; Mentored Hunting for under 10 | Details → |
| Wyoming | Reduced | Youth licenses at reduced fees; NR deer youth landowner $110 | Details → |
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Hunting license exemptions can add up to significant savings over a lifetime. Here are some real-world examples:
- Disabled Veteran in Texas — A 100% disabled veteran gets a free Super Combo ($68/year). Over 20 years, that's $1,360 saved, plus additional savings on individual endorsements.
- Senior in Florida — Florida residents 65+ get a free sportsman's license ($32.50/year). A retiree who hunts from 65 to 85 saves $650+ in base license fees alone.
- Youth in Pennsylvania — The mentored youth program is completely free for ages 7–11. A family with two kids saves $45.94/year compared to buying regular licenses.
- Landowner in Georgia — Resident landowners save $15/year on the base license. Over 30 years of hunting your own property, that's $450 in savings.
- Active Duty in Colorado — Military stationed in Colorado get resident rates ($35 vs. $101 non-resident). An enlisted hunter saves $66/year on just the base license.
Want to see if you qualify? Take our free eligibility quiz — it only takes 60 seconds.
States With the Most Generous Exemption Programs
Some states go above and beyond with their exemption programs. Here are the top 5 based on breadth of coverage and benefit value:
- Texas — Covers all 5 exemption groups. Free Super Combo for disabled vets (60%+), $7 youth/senior licenses, resident rates for military, and landowner exemption with no acreage minimum.
- Georgia — Free sportsman's license for seniors 65+, free license for disabled veterans, no license needed for youth under 16 with adult, and broad landowner exemptions.
- Florida — Free for residents 65+, free for youth under 16, Gold Sportsman for disabled vets, and landowner exemption on 20+ acres. Plus year-round hog hunting opportunities.
- Alabama — Free lifetime license for seniors 65+, free for disabled veterans, no minimum age or license needed for youth with adult, and generous landowner provisions.
- Pennsylvania — Outstanding mentored youth program (free, from age 7), reduced senior rates, strong veteran benefits, and landowner exemptions with no acreage minimum.
How to Apply for a Free or Discounted License
The application process varies by state and exemption type, but here's the general workflow:
- Check your eligibility — Use our Free License Eligibility Quiz to see which exemptions apply to your state and situation.
- Gather documentation — You'll typically need proof of age (driver's license), residency (utility bill or state ID), and for veterans, a VA disability rating letter or DD-214.
- Visit your state agency website — Most states allow online applications. Some require in-person visits to a regional office for veteran or disability exemptions.
- Apply early — Don't wait until opening day. Some exemption applications take 2–4 weeks to process, especially those requiring VA verification.
- Don't forget tags and stamps — Even if your base license is free, you'll likely still need to purchase deer tags, turkey tags, and the federal duck stamp ($28.50) separately.
Find your state's specific application process on our state pages, or explore the exemption tables above for your category.
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Free Hunting License FAQ
Can seniors hunt for free?
Many states offer free hunting licenses for residents aged 65 or older. Some require a small fee for a senior lifetime license. Check the seniors section above for state-specific details.
Do military members get free hunting licenses?
Active-duty military stationed in a state often qualify for resident rates. Many states offer free or discounted licenses for military on leave. Benefits vary by state.
At what age can children hunt without a license?
Most states allow children under 12 to hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult. Some states have no minimum age with parental supervision. Check your state's specific youth hunting requirements.
Do disabled veterans get free hunting licenses?
Yes, most states offer free or heavily discounted licenses for disabled veterans. Requirements vary — some require 100% VA disability rating, while others offer benefits at 50% or 30%+ ratings.
Can landowners hunt without a license?
In many states, landowners can hunt on their own property without purchasing a hunting license. Specific acreage requirements and species limitations vary by state.
Where can I find all exemptions for my state?
Visit the individual state page from the table above for a complete list of available exemptions, discounts, and free license programs.
What VA disability rating qualifies for a free hunting license?
Requirements vary by state. Many states offer free licenses at 100% VA disability rating. Others (like Texas) start benefits at 60%+, while some (like Colorado and Montana) offer benefits at 50%+.
Do military families get hunting license discounts?
Most discount programs apply only to the service member, not their family. However, some states offer family-friendly youth exemptions that effectively benefit military families.
Can I qualify for multiple exemption categories at once?
Yes, in most states you can qualify under multiple categories (e.g., senior AND landowner). However, exemptions generally don't stack — you'll receive the single most beneficial discount or exemption available to you.
Do hunting license exemptions apply to fishing licenses too?
It depends on the state. Many states offer combination hunt/fish exemptions (like Texas' Super Combo for disabled veterans). Others treat hunting and fishing exemptions separately. Check your state's specific programs.