An adult bearhunter who is authorized to purchase a Class A Bear Hunting License is able to transfer that authority to a youth hunter that falls into an age at or between 10-17 years old.
Thanks to a DNR webpage, we’ve organized what makes a hunter eligible and what you need to do. At the bottom of the page we’ve included some helpful links.
What Makes You Eligible?
- A minor is only eligible to receive a transferred approval if that minor has not been previously transferred that type of approval
- The youth hunter receiving the transfer, if 12 years or older, must have completed a hunter education course
- The transferee must be at least 10 years old at the beginning of the bear season or turn 10 during the season
- The transferee must be under 18 at the time of application or at least 15 days prior to the start of the season
- Transfers can still be granted to individuals who turn 18 during the application deadline and the end of the bear season
- A minor may only be transferred a Class A Bear License once
- The transfer of the license does not affect the number of preference points the minor may have previously acquired
- Both residents and non-residents may transfer a Class A Bear License
- Tranferees may either be residents or non-residents
There are a few points you need to know and consider before beginning the process.
- The youth permit transfer application must be RECEIVED at least 15 DAYS PRIOR to the start of the bear season
- The transforer must purchase the Class A Bear License and submit the license and backtag with the youth transfer application
- If a resident transfers the license to a non-resident minor, the resident must pay, at the time of application, the difference between the fees of a resident and non-resident license
- There is no fee rebate if a non-resident transfers the license to a resident minor
- The transforer may NOT receive payment or consideration for the transfer of a Class A Bear License
- Transferred licenses will be mailed to the youth hunter if the youth turns 10 prior to the start of the bear hunting season
- Youth who turn 10 after the beginning of the bear season will be mailed a notification of the successful transfer. The notification MUST BE taken to a DNR Service Center in order to obtain their Class A Bear License
- The transforer of the license will lose the preference points that they have accumulated
- There is no transaction fee for the transfer
- All transfer applications are final
What You Need To Do
- Download (PDF 41KB) and complete the application. The application can also be obtained at a DNR Service Center
- Submit the transforer’s Bear Hunting License and Backtag
- Pay the License fee
($49 and $251) - Provide a photocopy of the transferee’s hunter education certificate
- Mail all materials to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Youth Permit Transfer
PO Box 7924
Madison, WI 53707
Once these steps are completed, the license will be mailed to the transferee upon application approval. A Minor who is transferred a license shall retain all preference points that he or she has previously accumulated.
If you have questions about eligibility, the process or general inquiries, please contact the DNR by calling 1-888-936-7463
