Awarded permit or harvest authorization transfers
A person authorized to purchase a license for a permit or harvest authorization issued under a cumulative preference drawing, may transfer their awarded permit or harvest authorization to another who meets the required qualifications.
Transferee:
(person receiving permit or harvest authorization)
- Transferee will retain all preference points that he/she has previously accumulated.
- Transferee must be eligible to use the approval being transferred.
- A social security number is required the first time an applicant applies for a hunting, fishing or trapping license. Once provided, the department will issue a DNR customer number that may be provided in the future.
- Transferees are limited to one transfer in their lifetime per permit or harvest authorization type, with the exception of wolf and deceased transfers (see information tabs below for details).
- Elk approvals: A person may only be issued or transferred one elk approval in their lifetime. A transferee who was previously awarded an elk approval would not qualify for a transfer.
- License fees: no license fees are required to be submitted at time of application. Transferee will be notified by the department of application review completion. After completion, the transferee shall pay the license fees at time of license purchase.
Transferor:
(person supplying permit or harvest authorization)
- Transferor of the license will lose the preference points that they have accumulated.
- Transferor may not receive payment or consideration for the transfer of the approval.
- Transferor must not be subject to any suspension or revocation that prevents the exercise of DNR privileges.
- Transferor must be eligible to obtain the permit or harvest authorization before they may apply to transfer.
- Elk approvals: A person may only be issued or transferred one elk approval in their lifetime. A transferor who chooses to transfer their awarded elk approval would not qualify for future awards.
- Transferors, who have purchased their license, must submit their license along with the transfer application. Qualified refund requests will be issued for the original license purchase.
- Bobcat and wolf transfers: Transferor must submit the tag that was received in the mail along with the transfer application.
- License Fees: The Transferor is NOT required to purchase the license approval before submitting the transfer request. The Transferee shall pay the fees at the time of the license purchase.
General information:
- Permit or harvest authorization transfers are only granted for permits or harvest authorizations issued under a drawing process.
- Permits or harvest authorizations issued under the drawings include: bear, spring turkey, upriver sturgeon, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, fisher, wolf and elk.
- Both residents and nonresidents may transfer or be transferred a permit or harvest authorization.
- Elk approvals: If the number of elk hunting approvals issued is 100 or less, only Wisconsin residents may purchase or receive a transfer of the elk approval.
- There is no transaction fee for the transfer.
- All transfer applications are final.
Minors (Youth)
Minors (Youth)
Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or by downloading Transfer Awarded Approval to Minors/Disabilities [PDF].
Eligible permit or harvest authorization transfer types:
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Qualifications:
- A minor is defined as a person less than 18 years of age. Transferee must be under the age of 18 at time of application submission.
- Upriver sturgeon spearing applicants must be at least age 12 years old at the beginning of the spearing season or turn 12 during the season.
- Licenses cannot be issued to the transferee unless the minimum age requirements are met by the end of the season.
- Note: Please see information tabs for deceased and wolf transfer to minors.
Hunter safety requirements:
Transferees born on or after January 1, 1973 who do not wish to hunt under the mentor program must provide a photocopy of the transferee's state-issued hunter education certificate.
- Transferees under age 12 AND applicants who have not completed a state certified hunter education course are required to hunt under the mentored hunting rules.
- Transferees who intent to trap in the State of Wisconsin must complete a state approved trapper education course or otherwise be exempt.
To find a hunter safety class near you, visit our safety education page.
Application submission and deadlines:
Upriver sturgeon spearing transfers will be processed starting October 1 but must be received at least 15 days before the start of the spearing season.
All other applications must be received at least 15 days before the start of the hunting season for which the license or permit/harvest authorization is valid.
Mail application and required documents to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Permit Transfers - CS/1
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
Persons with disabilities
Persons with disabilities
Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or by downloading Transfer Awarded Approval to Minors/Disabilities [PDF].
Eligible permit or harvest authorization transfer types:
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Qualifications:
- Transferee must hold a valid Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D disability permit issued by the Department at the time of transfer application and at least 15 days prior to the start of the season.
- Transferee must indicate the disability permit type issued and expiration on page 1 of the application.
- A minor is defined as a person less than 18 years of age. Transferee must be under the age of 18 at time of application submission.
- Upriver sturgeon Spearing applicants must be at least age 12 years old at the beginning of the spearing season or turn 12 during the season.
- Licenses cannot be issued to the transferee unless the minimum age requirements are met by the end of the season.
Hunter safety requirements:
Transferees born on or after January 1, 1973 who do not wish to hunt under the mentor program must provide a photocopy of the transferee's state-issued hunter education certificate.
- Transferees under age 12 AND applicants who have not completed a state certified hunter education course are required to hunt under the mentored hunting rules.
- Anyone who presents a copy of their military ID or other proof of completing basic training (including the state in which they completed the training) in the US Armed forces, Reserves or National Guard is exempt from hunter education.
- Transferees who intent to trap in the State of Wisconsin must complete a state approved trapper education course or otherwise be exempt.
To find a hunter safety class near you, visit our safety education page.
Application submission and deadlines:
Upriver sturgeon spearing transfers will be processed starting October 1 but must be received at least 15 days before the start of the spearing season.
All other applications must be received at least 15 days before the start of the hunting season for which the license or permit or harvest authorization is valid.
Mail application and required documents to:
Wisconsin department of Natural Resources
Attn: Permit Transfers - CS/1
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
Active Duty and Purple Heart
Active Duty Military and Purple Heart
Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or by downloading Class A Bear Transfer Application [PDF].
Eligible permit or harvest authorization transfer types:
- Bear
Qualifications:
Active Duty Military
- Person serving on ACTIVE DUTY in the US Armed Forces at time of transfer application and at least 15 days prior to the start of the season.
Active Duty Service Armed Forces means: Full-time employment as a member of the armed services and does not include annual summer training by members of the National Guard or Reserves. Persons who are a member of a unit incorporated into the Armed Forces, such as ACTIVATED National Guard/Reserve units will qualify.
Documentation Requirements: Provide a copy of a Common Access Card (CAC) that indicates active duty service on it or a copy of an Active Duty Orders showing the dates of their active service.
Purple Heart Recipient:
- A person who is serving or has served in the US Armed Forces and was awarded a Purple Heart.
Documentation Requirements: Present in person, an original or certified copy of a DD-214, DD-215, official document of separation from military branch, enlisted record brief or officer record brief showing receipt of a Purple Heart Award to a DNR Service Center.
- Transferees who have NOT previously verified their original/certified documents with the department must present their papers in person at a DNR Service Center.
- Transferees who have previously verified their original/certified documents with the department may mail in their transfer application.
Hunter safety requirements:
Transferees born on or after January 1, 1973 who do not wish to hunt under the mentored program must provide a photocopy of the transferee's state-issued hunter education certificate or proof of completing basic training in the US Armed forces.
- Anyone who presents a copy of their military ID or other proof of completing basic training (including the state in which they completed the training) in the US Armed forces, Reserves or National Guard is exempt from hunter education.
- Transferees who intent to trap in the State of Wisconsin must complete a state approved trapper education course or otherwise be exempt.
To find a hunter safety class near you, visit our safety education page.
Application submission and deadlines:
Purple Heart transferees who have NOT previously verified their original/certified documents with the department must present their papers in person at a DNR Service Center.
All other applications must be received at least 15 days before the start of the hunting season for which the license or permit or harvest authorization is valid.
Mail application and required documents to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Permit Transfers - CS/1
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
Deceased
Deceased transfer
Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or by downloading Deceased Customer Preference Approval Transfer Request [PDF].
Eligible permit or harvest authorization transfer types:
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Qualifications
A surviving spouse, personal representative, guardian or trustee (designee) may authorize a transfer of awarded permits, harvest authorizations or accumulated preference points/preference category from a deceased individual to a minor.
- A minor is defined as a person less than 18 years of age. Transferee must be under the age of 18 at time of application submission.
- Upriver sturgeon spearing applicants must be at least age 12 years old at the beginning of the spearing season or turn 12 during the season.
- Licenses cannot be issued to the transferee unless the minimum age requirements are met by the end of the season.
Note: There is no limit to the number of times a minor may receive a transfer of permits or preference points under this authority. Applicants are limited to one permit (awarded or transferred) per year.
Hunter safety requirements:
Transferees born on or after January 1, 1973 who do not wish to hunt under the mentor program must provide a photocopy of the transferee's state-issued hunter education certificate.
- Transferees under age 12 AND applicants who have not completed a state certified hunter education course are required to hunt under the mentored hunting rules.
- Transferees who intent to trap in the State of Wisconsin must complete a state approved trapper education course or otherwise be exempt.
To find a hunter safety class near you, visit our safety education page.
Application submission and deadlines:
Applications to transfer accumulated preference points or preference category must be submitted within one year of death.
All other applications must be received before the start of the season for which the license, permit or harvest authorization is valid.
Mail application and required documents to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Permit Transfers - CS/1
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
Wolf
Wolf
Transfer applications are available at DNR Service Centers or by downloading Wolf License Transfer Application [PDF].
Eligible permit or harvest authorization transfer types:
- Wolf
Qualifications:
Minors:
Transfer of permit authorization:
- A minor is defined as a person less than 18 years of age. Transferee must be under the age of 18 at time of application submission.
Note: Minors are limited to a one-time transfer of a wolf permit under this authority.
Adults:
- An adult is defined as a person at least 18 years of age. Transferee must be at least 18 years of age at time of application submission.
Note: There is no limit to the number of times an adult may receive a wolf permit transfer under this authority. Applicants are limited to one permit (awarded or transferred) per year. Transfers of wolf permits or preference points upon death are not authorized for adults.
Transfer of permit or preference points to a minor upon death:
A surviving spouse, personal representative, guardian or trustee (designee) may authorize a transfer of awarded wolf permit or accumulated preference points from a deceased individual to a minor.
- A minor is defined as a person less than 18 years of age. Transferee must be under the age of 18 at time of application submission.
- Designee may transfer accumulated wolf preference points to a minor within one year of death.
Note: There is no limit to the number of times a minor may receive a wolf permit or preference point transfer under this authority. Applicants are limited to one permit (awarded or transferred) per year.
Hunter safety requirements:
Transferees born on or after January 1, 1973 who do not wish to hunt under the mentor program must provide a photocopy of the transferee's state-issued hunter education certificate.
- Transferees under age 12 AND applicants who have not completed a state certified hunter education course are required to hunt under the mentored hunting rules.
- Anyone who presents a copy of their military ID or other proof of completing basic training (including the state in which they completed the training) in the US Armed forces, Reserves or National Guard is exempt from hunter education.
- Transferees who intent to trap in the State of Wisconsin must complete a state approved trapper education course or otherwise be exempt.
To find a hunter safety class near you, visit our safety education page.
Application submission and deadlines:
All wolf applications must be received at least 15 days before the start of the hunting season for which the license, permit or harvest authorization is valid.
Mail application and required documents to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Permit Transfers - CS/1
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
- Contact information
- For information on permit or harvest authorization transfers, contact:
- Customer Service
1-888-936-7463