Oregon Disabled Veteran Hunting, Angling and Shellfish License

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issues a free combination license to an Oregon resident veteran with an overall disability rating of at least 25 percent. It bundles the hunting, fishing, and shellfish licenses and the Columbia River Basin Endorsement, and a resident disabled veteran also qualifies for a discounted elk tag, which ODVA and the Army benefits library put at $25. Two things make this one of the better recreation benefits in the catalog. The 25 percent threshold is the lowest of any state hunting or fishing benefit recorded here, where 50 percent is typical. And it reaches big game through the elk tag rather than stopping at small game, which several states do. Note that ODFW asks for an overall disability rating of at least 25 percent from VA or a branch, and ODVA describes the benefit as being for a service-connected disability of 25 percent or more. Bring the award letter and let ODFW read it. Oregon residency is required, and ODVA states a six-month residency requirement. ODFW is emphatic that a nonresident cannot hold this license and tag. First-time applicants mail or fax the ODFW application with a letter from VA or a branch showing the rating, to 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem, phone 503-947-6101, fax 503-947-6117. After that, renewal is annual and can be done online or at any ODFW license vendor or office, which is a meaningful convenience difference from the first application. A separate and independent benefit is the Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit, which is about accommodations rather than cost, is open to both residents and nonresidents, and is available to a person with a qualifying disability whether or not they are a veteran. It requires a physician's signature and is valid for five years. It does not replace any license: the holder still buys the applicable licenses, tags, and endorsements. What that permit grants is access a disabled hunter or angler cannot otherwise get. Fishing from an anchored boat where boat fishing is prohibited, access to certain docks and platforms and to ponds otherwise restricted, and assistance from another person. Hunting from a parked motor-propelled vehicle, other than on a public road or highway, use of accessible blinds, and an able-bodied companion who may dispatch an animal the permit holder wounded. A visually impaired hunter may be accompanied by a sighted hunter who can help select and sight a target, advise when to fire, and shoot on the hunter's behalf in their immediate presence. Clam digging with an assistant, subject to both holding shellfish licenses and staying within 100 yards and line of sight. It also carries specific bag limit provisions in named hunt units. Several provisions cover serving members. Resident service members buy big game and game bird hunting licenses for $17 and may buy a general season tag after the deadline without a late fee. A nonresident service member assigned to an Oregon duty station buys at resident prices. An Oregon resident stationed outside the state is eligible for controlled deer, elk, and bear tags while home on leave, issued first come first served at an ODFW district office on presentation of an active duty identification, leave papers, and a valid Oregon resident hunting license. ODFW also designates an annual veterans and service members waterfowl hunt day.