Reduced Fees Available to Nonresident Disabled Vets

A new state law that took effect July 1 extends reduced license and tag fees to nonresident disabled American veterans participating in a hunt in association with a qualified organization. Before July 1, reduced license and tag fees were available only for resident disabled veterans. Under the new law, nonresident disabled veterans meeting the conditions defined by the statute may be eligible for reduced fees, which are: a hunting license $5; deer tag $10.75; elk tag $16.50; bear tag $6.75; and turkey tag $10.75. These reduced fees are consistent with fees paid by resident disabled veterans. To qualify for reduced license and tag fees, nonresident disabled veterans must meet the definition and provide documentation listed below to an Idaho Department of Fish and Game office in person or by mail to: License Supervisor, P.O. Box 25, Boise, Idaho 83707.

• A letter from the Veterans Affairs office verifying a service-connected disability rating of forty percent or more. Such documentation can bear any date prior to license application.
• A current letter from a qualified organization documenting that shows the license applicant is participating in a hunt in association with the organization.
• Documentation that the organization is qualified to offer opportunities, experiences, and assistance to disabled veterans or the qualified organization is a government agency with a mission to offer opportunities, experiences, and assistance to disabled veterans.

Qualified organizations include governmental agencies that assist veterans and nonprofits qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that provide opportunities, experiences and assistance to disabled veterans.