The Patriot Plan provides free hunting, trapping and fishing licenses to active duty personnel that have taken the appropriate sportsman education classes. See Sporting Licenses Under the Patriot Plan for information about eligibility and proof required.
Those in the military are also entitled to one free Empire Passport for use by yourself, or your immediate family while you are deployed. The Empire Passport provides unlimited day use access to DEC forest preserves, state parks, boat launches and arboretums and is issued by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Resident veterans with a service-related disability of 40% or more can get a Sportsman license (fishing, big game and small game) for $5, a free bow hunting license and a free muzzleloading license. See the Hunting Licenses for eligibility requirements.
Resident patients at U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals or facilities can obtain a free fishing license through their hospital or facility.
Veterans with a permanent disability are eligible for an Access Pass granting free access to parks, historic sites and recreational facilities operated by DEC or OPRHP.
