proposed changes to disabled hunter permits

[Jennie@ifish]

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, Sept. 14, 2005

Meetings will review proposed changes to disabled hunter permits

CLACKAMAS - State Fish and Wildlife officials today announced four public meetings to discuss proposed changes to the state's permit program for disabled hunters.

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 17,500 hunters hold PDPs -- more than 6 percent of the approximately 272,000 licensed resident hunters.

The Commission last year directed ODFW to create an advisory committee composed of disabled and able-bodied hunters to review the Permanent Disabilities Permit Program. The committee's recommendations will be presented and public comment will be taken at the following public meetings, all scheduled 7-9 p.m.:

* Monday, Sept. 26: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Headquarters, 3406 Cherry Ave. N.E., Salem
* Tuesday, Sept. 27: Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street, LaGrande.
* Wednesday, Sept. 28: National Guard Amory, 875 SW Simpson Avenue, Bend.
* Thursday, Sept. 29: ODFW Regional Office, 4192 N. Umpqua Highway, Roseburg.

Committee proposals under consideration by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission would require disabled hunters to re-apply every two years for a permit that allows hunting from a parked vehicle and taking an antlerless animal during some buck deer and bull elk seasons. The committee also recommends moving to a bi-annual permit instead of a permanent permit.

Other proposed changes include:
* Change the name of the permit to "Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit;"
* Require all permit holders to renew bi-annually;
* Modify the application form;
* Improve the definition of "brace;"
* Improve the definition of "road" for all hunters; and
* Include ATV in the definition of vehicle within administrative rules that address shooting from a vehicle.

The committee studied the definition of "disabled" for the purposes of the Permanent Disability Permit program, and examined the program's operations and associated social issues to develop recommendations that will help reduce enforcement problems.

All comments received at the public meetings will be provided to the Commission Friday, Dec. 2, at its regular monthly meeting in Salem. Members of the public also may testify at the December Commission meeting on the proposed changes or may submit their comments in writing by Oct. 15 to: PDP Review, ODFW, 17330 SE Evelyn Street, Clackamas, OR 97015, or by email to Chris.A.Wheaton@state.or.us.

[blacktail519]

It's been a problem that is long over due for changes IMHO.And it's too bad for the hunters that actually suffer from dissabilties, but their are just way way way too many people that have abused the system.

[fish-r-on]

I agree something has to change in this program. I have a point to make though. My brother-in-law is a paraplegic and I have a hard time understanding why he should have to re-apply for this every two years. this is like telling someone who has pioneers liscense they need to re-new it every two years to see if they are still old enough. Sorry just ranting. I have seen people abuse this system shortly after it was developed and I hope they get a handle on it. I Think people that are permanently disabled shouldn't have to go through this process every time.

[waterfowlin101]

I agree something has to change in this program. I have a point to make though. My brother-in-law is a paraplegic and I have a hard time understanding why he should have to re-apply for this every two years. this is like telling someone who has pioneers liscense they need to re-new it every two years to see if they are still old enough. Sorry just ranting. I have seen people abuse this system shortly after it was developed and I hope they get a handle on it. I Think people that are permanently disabled shouldn't have to go through this process every time.

Reread tour post...first you don't hink your brother should have to reapply for the permit. Then you say that you've seen the system abused. Then you say that folks with permenent disabilities shouldn' go through the process.

This train of thought hardly makes sense to me. The reason they want to reevaluate that part of the system is to find out who really needs this permit. Shouldn't your brother and others who truly benefit fro this program and deserve to be excited that someones looking to clean up shop. Again...weeding out the liars and cheats is never a bad thing!!

Jon

The qualifications need to be tightened, I qualify for one but would never apply. The system is being abused and needs fixing. Those that are truly unable to get away from the roads need to be given some help but I know of a few "hunters" that have these permits that can get around better than I do!

[CMallardDrake]

Oh...such a can of worms that this has become.

I suggest renaming the permit to..."The permanent, Permanent Disability Permit Program" and start afresh. As mentioned...I like the idea of getting this back under control but is it possible with the latest definition of what disability is?

I agree, I don't see why a paraplegic hunter should have to apply every two years when (as mentioned like old age) his "permanent disability" is not going to change.

Those who are abusing the system now through cheating and lies only have to be consistent with their cheating and lies every two years. I'll re-aply ever two years if needed...every week if needed as far as it matters. But...so will those who have found a way to abuse the system and priviledge.

It's sad...so sad IMHO...that it wouldn't bother me if ODF&W and those others in charge of implementing this program just flushed it down the toilet. I suggest they use a toilet within their government building specially built for the use of those who can't use a urinal or standard bathroom stall. This will remind them of who the PDP program was intially developed for.

:depressed:.................. :depressed:..................... :depressed:................. :depressed:.................. :depressed:

[ehunter]

I don't know what the 2 year quailification will really do? I personally know a guy who before he had hip surgey could not get around much. After hip surgey he hiked almost 2 hundred miles last year and quailified for a disabled permit? Another friend had hip surgey and would not even consider a permit, but yet he can out hike me but he would quailify. Prior to the surgey yes both of these guys had issues. So what is the answer??

[Don Becker]

Is anyone here attending one of these meetings. I can't make it to one.

RE: "Today, more than 17,500 hunters hold PDPs -- more than 6 percent of the approximately 272,000 licensed resident hunters."

I'm curious whether they'll have the statistics that will tell us the percent of the Oregon population (hunter or not . . .) that would qualify for the permits under the present rule and (same question) under the proposed change.

If they do, I'd sure appreciate some feedback on that from someone who does attend.

It's tough for me to understand and form my own opinion as to the extent of the problem without this information as a starting-point. In other words, if (say) 2% of the total Oregon population (over 12 years of age) definitially/medically qualify for the exemption (whether they hunt or not) and 6% of the hunters have the exemption ................................ that piece would help me understand . . . :whazzup:

Don