Disabled Veterans Programs
Contact information
- DAV licenses, permits and tag questions: Email licenses@idfg.idaho.gov or call (208) 334-2592
- Disabled Veterans Special Big Game Tag Program questions: Call (208) 334-3771
Resident and Nonresident Disabled American Veterans - Reduced Fees
Resident Disabled Veterans - Reduced Fees
Resident disabled American veterans (DAV) may be eligible for DAV reduced fees for licenses and tags. The resident DAV license, $5, allows the disabled veteran to purchase reduced fee DAV tags for deer $10.75, elk $16.50, bear $6.75, or turkey $10.75. Permits for archery or muzzleloader are $3.75 each. See below for what documentation is required for eligibility.
Nonresident Disabled Veterans - Reduced Fees
Nonresident disabled American veterans (DAV) may be eligible for reduced fees for licenses and tags. The nonresident DAV hunting with 3-day fishing license, $31.75, allows the nonresident disabled veteran to purchase reduced fee nonresident DAV tags for deer $23.75, elk $39.75, bear $23.75, or turkey $19.75. Permits for archery or muzzleloader are $5.75 each. See below for what documentation is required for eligibility.
Nonresident DAV priced tags are limited to 500 deer tags, and 300 elk tags. DAV deer tags are valid statewide, and DAV elk tags are only valid in the selected zone. Once those 800 tags have been sold, DAV license holders can purchase available general nonresident tags at the nonresident fee.
Required Documentation for DAV Reduced Fees
To receive DAV reduced fees, veterans must provide a copy of their official VA Disability Percentage Rating letter, and the letter must verify a service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater.
The letter is also called a "Benefits Summary Percentage Letter," and typically is one page. The letter may bear any date prior to license application.
Documentation for the resident DAV license will be required only for the initial application and will not be required for subsequent applications. Please do not provide the multi-page medical determination report your physician sends to the VA Case Manager for adjustments.
- How to get your VA Disability Percentage Rating letter: You may get a copy of your letter by calling: (800) 827-1000 or your local VA office, or by online access at: www.ebenefits.va.gov using your premium account login (all recently separated personnel are required to have a premium account; if you don’t have an account, you will need to set one up to access your letter).
What to do with your letter: Letters can be submitted via email to our Licenses office at Licenses@idfg.idaho.gov
Letters can also be brought to any regional office or mailed to:
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game - Licensing Section
P.O. Box 25
Boise, ID 83707
Disabled Veterans Special Big Game Tag Program
The Disabled Veterans Special Big Game Tag Program allows a qualified organization to apply for a special big game hunt tag on behalf of a disabled veteran. A qualified organization is defined as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, or a government agency, with a mission to afford opportunities, experiences and assistance to disabled veterans. The program is not limited to organizations in Idaho.
New law and rules are in place for these tags. Idaho Fish and Game makes five tags available each year. Tags are eligible for any hunt for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, black bear or mountain lion except controlled hunts with less than 5 tags are not eligible. Participants are exempt from licensing requirements and the tag is free. The tag is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The application period is January 2 through January 31 of the calendar year of the hunt. Each year, the Idaho Division of Veterans Services will first screen all applicants and provide a list of screened applicants to Idaho Department of Fish and Game in priority order of issuance. The top two candidates sponsored by Idaho Divisions of Veterans Services will receive a tag and Fish and Game will issue the three remaining tags to candidates sponsored by other qualified organizations. There is no limitation to how many applicants a qualified organization may sponsor each year. The application, at the link below, must be used to apply. Send your application to the address or email address listed on the form at the link below.
All personal information submitted will be kept confidential and used only by the IDVS selection committee.
A committee consisting of a representative from the Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission, Veteran service organization representatives and personnel from the Idaho Division of Veterans Services will make the final selections.