Prove it
Go Wild secures your license, permits, harvest authorizations, state stamps and hunter safety education information online which can be accessed through a variety of items including your original paper document, a paper reprint, an optional conservation card, your authenticated Wisconsin driver's license/state ID card, or a department-generated PDF displayed on your electronic device - no more worries about losing your one and only copy. Depending on which item you choose to use, you will have access to all of these records. Please note all forms of proof are NOT acceptable for all types of authorizations - see tables below for details.
Original or reprint
Original issued at the point of sale.
Reprints of paper licenses, tags, state stamps and safety certifications available in one of three ways.
- Reprint yourself from your online DNR account
- Request a reprint at no charge from a DNR Service Center
- Purchase a reprint from any license agent for a $2 fee
Conservation card
Go Wild Conservation Card.
- Optional card that never expires
- Live link to your DNR account
- Order through Go Wild: Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery
- Collectible - new design each year
Authenticated Wisconsin driver's license
To authenticate your Wisconsin driver's license/state ID card, you must be 18 years of age or older and present your license/ID card to a license agent to be entered into your account or enter the number for online purchases. Your authentication status shows on your Go Wild Dashboard.
Department-generated PDF image
Download PDF file from your online DNR account.
Display image of PDF file on your smart phone or other electronic device.
Acceptable forms of proof
Below are acceptable forms of proof in lieu of carrying your original paper document issued at the point of sale.
Note: The products listed in each table are the only acceptable products for which a form of proof other than the original document is authorized.
Hunting/trapping/fishing
Hunting/trapping/fishing
Authorization Original hard-copy document Hard-copy reprint Authenticated WI Driver's License or WI State ID WI Conservation Card Digital file issued by the department displayed on electronic device Safety certificates [hunter ed., bow hunter ed., and trapper ed.] YES YES YES YES YES All hunting licenses and *stamps, trapping licenses, and fishing licenses and stamps used on inland waters that are NOT boundary waters or outlying waters. YES YES YES YES YES All fishing licenses and stamps used on boundary waters or outlying waters YES YES NO NO NO Carcass tag for bear, sharp-tailed grouse or sturgeon that has not been validated or used to harvest an animal. YES YES NO NO NO Disabled hunting and trolling permits YES YES YES YES YES Deer, turkey, fisher and otter harvest authorizations; goose permits YES YES YES YES YES Wolf and bobcat carcass/pelt tags YES NO NO NO NO *Federal Ducks Stamps can be purchased via the Go Wild licensing system (additional processing fees are charged) or at a Post Office. It is required to carry the E-Stamp certification received after your Go Wild purchase when hunting (digital image or hardcopy) or have the physical stamp you have received from the Post Office. If the stamp was purchased from another state’s licensing system, you will need to carry the hardcopy E-Stamp certification. Physical stamps must be signed while the E-Stamp Certification does not need to be signed.
NOTE: The Inland Trout and Great Lake Trout and Salmon stamps are purchased by the primary license holder for the nonresident family fishing licenses. The primary license stamp purchases cover all people included in the family license. The secondary license, via the appropriate forms of proof, links to the primary license for proof of stamp purchase. If you need to carry the paper version of the license, the secondary can carry a copy of the primary license holders License/Approval document.
Recreational vehicles
Recreational vehicles
Authorization Original hard-copy document Hard-copy reprint Authenticated WI Driver's License or WI State ID WI Conservation Card Digital file issued by the department displayed on electronic device Temporary trail use receipt (ATV/UTV or snowmobile) YES YES NO NO YES Temporary operating receipt for ATV/UTV, off-highway motorcycle, boat or snowmobile registration YES YES NO NO YES Safety certificates (ATV/UTV, off-highway motorcycle, boat, snowmobile) YES YES NO NO YES Registration certificates (ATV/UTV, off-highway motorcycle, boat or snowmobile) YES NO NO NO NO Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Authorization Original hard-copy document Hard-copy reprint Authenticated WI Driver's License or WI State ID WI Conservation Card Digital file issued by the department displayed on electronic device Guide licenses YES YES YES YES YES Wild ginseng dealer and harvester license YES YES NO NO YES Wild rice harvest licenses and ID cards YES YES YES YES YES WI Disabled Veteran Recreation Card: Park Admission and Trail Pass YES YES NO NO NO
Residency Requirements
In order to purchase a Wisconsin resident license, customers are required to provide proof of Wisconsin residency. Section 29.001(69) of the Wisconsin Statutes defines residency:
"Resident" means a person who has maintained his or her place of permanent abode in this state for a period of 30 days immediately preceding his or her application for an approval. Domiciliary intent is required to establish that a person is maintaining his or her place of permanent abode in this state. Mere ownership of property is not sufficient to establish domiciliary intent. Evidence of domiciliary intent includes, without limitation, the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver's license/state ID card.
To prove residency, you must meet both requirements below:
- Attest to the statement above that you have maintained your permanent adobe/home location for 30 days and then you have intent to make Wisconsin your permanent adobe/home location.
- Provide one of the following documents: WI DOT issued Driver’s License, WI DOT issued State ID card, Tribal Identification Card*, voter registration showing your name and Wisconsin address, or personal Wisconsin income tax statement showing your name (or business name) and Wisconsin address.
Please note that limited term or non-domiciled licenses/ID cards are not accepted for residency proof and therefore cannot be authenticated. WIDNR follows the parameters set forth by WIDOT as far as the documents that can be used/verified for residency. If you have any other documentation that you would like reviewed for eligibility you can submit that through csweb@wisconsin.gov.
Please note that our online services can only verify residency through a Wisconsin Driver’s License or State ID Card – all other documents must be presented at a sales location.
*Issued by a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or band in this state that contains the card holder’s photo, full name, Wisconsin address, and date of birth.
Social Security Numbers
Federal mandates adopted in 1996 (42 USC Sec. 405) and corresponding changes in state law in 1998 (Wis. Stat. 29.024(2g)) require the collection of social security numbers for hunting and fishing licenses. This law change was the result of new federal rules governing child support enforcement efforts.
Every first-time customer will be required to provide his or her social security number to purchase a license or approval. Once the Social Security Number is entered into the system, the customer will be assigned a DNR Customer Number that will appear on every license document and receipt. Social Security Numbers are not printed on license documents. Any subsequent purchases will allow customers to purchase their licenses or approvals using their DNR Customer Number, avoiding the collection of social security number ever again.
The law that enacted the collection of Social Security Numbers is specific in restricting how this number is shared. It explicitly states that the Department of Natural Resources can only provide this number to the Bureau of Child Support at the Department of Children and Families.
Providing fraudulent information in applying for a hunting or fishing license puts the applicant at risk of having privileges revoked and subject to receiving other penalties and fines.