Recreation/Hunting & Fishing Benefits for Veterans in California
2 Recreation/Hunting & Fishing benefits for veterans in California.
Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing & Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issues reduced-fee sport fishing and hunting licenses to qualifying disabled veterans, both residents and nonresidents, under Fish and Game Code Section 7150.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability rated 50% or greater by the VA. Recovering service members may also qualify. Nonresidents who qualify pay the same reduced fee as residents.
Estimated value: Reduced fee around $10.54 for a sport fishing license (2026), far below standard resident and nonresident rates
How to apply: Submit your VA disability rating letter to a CDFW license sales office to prequalify; afterward buy licenses online or from any license agent.
Distinguished Veteran Pass for State Parks
California State Parks issues the free Distinguished Veteran Pass, which provides free day-use parking, camping, and boating at units of the California State Park System for qualifying veterans.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran who is a California resident with a combined/overall service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater, was a prisoner of war, or is a Medal of Honor recipient. The pass is for the pass holder's personal use only.
Estimated value: Free day-use parking, camping, and boating at state parks (renewable every five years)
How to apply: Submit the Distinguished Veteran Pass application to California State Parks with proof of residency and your VA rating documentation.