Delaware Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Licences for Veterans and Service Members

The Division of Fish and Wildlife applies Title 7, sections 502 and 505. Disabled veterans. Section 502, subsection (h): persons "honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States and certified by the Veterans Administration as having at least a 60% service-connected disability" may be issued a licence exemption to hunt, trap and fish without charge, on a written statement from VA certifying the honorable discharge and the disability. Use the Veterans with Disabilities Exempt Application and allow up to four weeks. The exemption covers the licence, not the federal duck stamp or state stamps for particular species. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, for one year. Subsection (l): a resident who served honorably for 90 or more consecutive days on active duty, including as a member of the Delaware National Guard, "in military actions in Southwest Asia associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom" may, for the first twelve months after being honorably discharged or removed from active status, be issued a free licence to hunt, fish or both. Apply on the Military Delaware Resident License Application with a DD-214. Two limits. The words are Southwest Asia, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, so later operations such as Inherent Resolve or Freedom's Sentinel are not named. And it is a one-time twelve-month window from separation, not a benefit that renews. VA patients. Subsection (g): patients in any VA facility in Delaware who carry identification showing that status need no fishing licence. Subsection (f): a service member who is a patient in a military hospital may get a free exemption to hunt, trap and fish on a statement from the commanding officer. Service members stationed here. Section 505: a member of the armed forces including a reserve component on full-time active duty in Delaware, while not deployed or on temporary duty, and any member of the Delaware National Guard, is deemed a resident for licence purposes on a statement from the commanding officer. Licences can be bought at the Dover Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Center or by application to the Division. Everyone 65 and over. Subsection (e) exempts all residents 65 or older from licence requirements, veteran or not, which is the simpler route for an older veteran rated under 60 percent.