ODFW Disability permits

[Jennie@ifish]

Subject: Disability permits the subject of Friday meeting in Clackamas


Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Anne Pressentin Young (503) 657-2000, Ext. 285
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: (503) 657-2050

For Immediate Release Wednesday, May 4, 2005


Disability permits the subject of Friday meeting in Clackamas

CLACKAMAS - A citizen committee appointed by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday in Clackamas to discuss the existing definition of "disabled" under a program to allow hunters and anglers with a disability more flexibility to harvest an animal.

The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Building 16 Conference Room at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 17330 S.E. Evelyn Street in Clackamas.

The Permanent Disability Permit allows hunters and anglers with a disability to hunt or fish under more flexible rules than those governing able-bodied hunters and anglers. The number of permit holders has increased dramatically since 1999 when about 600 people held these permits. Today, more than 16,000 hold PDPs, which is 6 percent of the approximately 272,000 licensed resident hunters.

Last October, the Commission called for a committee to study the current definition of "disabled" for the purposes of the Permanent Disability Permit program and to study the program's current operations and associated social issues. The committee's goal is to develop recommendations that will help reduce enforcement problems.

The meeting is open to the public. Reasonable accommodations are provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call 503-657-2000, Ext. 0, before 4 p.m. Thursday.
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[Traskmilemrk11]

Just my .02 cents. There is no difference in the PDP for veterans or civilians that are disabled. Although, from having the experience of 20 years in uniform, in my opinion there is a difference in how disability is determined between vets and civilians. Perhaps this almost 3 fold increase in PDP's is from the current world situation, Iraq and Afganistan. More and more of our service members are coming home with disabilities earned while in uniform than in the past 30 years. It is also my opinion that it is more difficult to get a PDP as a civilan. My reson for this opinion that there are all kinds of hoops to jump through begging with the doctor and then up through the government chain. For veterans, any veteran with 30% or more rated disability is eligable for the Oregon PDP.

[RODACTION]

It is also my opinion that it is more difficult to get a PDP as a civilan. My reson for this opinion that there are all kinds of hoops to jump through begging with the doctor and then up through the government chain. For veterans, any veteran with 30% or more rated disability is eligable for the Oregon PDP.

Well, I don't understand what hoops your talking about ?
I think the reason for the explosion in PDP's is total abuse of the system. You have people going to their doctor and having them sign off on the PDP application in the ODFW regulation books. Thats all you have to do ! Mail it in or walk in...and presto !! you have a PDP. (I have one)

Their are lots of disabled hunters and fishermen that have PDP's that are really disabled and need the extra edge that the PDP gives. On the other hand there are lots of people that really should not have the PDP because they really don't fit PERMANENT disabiled status.

I have seen this system abused in the feild many a time. Last year channel 2 ? did a story that had the OSP out watching for abuse, They had no trouble finding it and issuing citations. Hopefully the ODFW will revise the application because you don't have to show any proof of your disabilities at this time.

[Jennie@ifish]

My doctor gave me one for having a class lll heart condition.
I don't know that I'll ever use it, but it's kind of nice knowing there is some benefit??

Now I can fish at the North Fork Nehalem hatchery if I ever feel like it, or don't feel like I'm up to other fishing.

Plus, there are people there to help if I need it... which I probably will if there is a big fish on my line.

I dunno how I feel about it, though. It's kind of belittling and I don't know if I'll get up the "guts" to use it.

Jen

[RODACTION]

I have one because I tought I would need it. I don't think I do need it. So what you say about "Guts" is where I am. I don't use it. I would never want to have to explain my self to the law or a person whom might question me. There is alot of things I can't do but I have alot of buddies who help me...thats all that I need.


I guess a my doctor thought I need it !!!