Lifetime fish license at 65

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-08-14

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I recently turned 60, and I heard seniors can get a free fishing license in Oregon. Is that true? It seems like there should be a discount for those of us who were born and bred here. — Linda S., Medford Well, Linda, you have to wait five years to get it, but yes, there is a discount for senior Oregonians. People who are 65 or older and have lived in Oregon for at least 50 years are eligible to apply for a lifetime Pioneer license. If you lived elsewhere for a bit and are moving back, you must wait six months before applying. The license is free and covers all angling and hunting done in Oregon. But you'll still need to pick up a current license each year and purchase appropriate tags. Normally, a combined hunting and fishing license costs $58 for an adult Oregon resident. The Pioneer and the Disabled War Veteran licenses are the only two lifetime licenses offered through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said Michelle Dennehy, a spokeswoman for ODFW. Dennehy said the license has been in place for more than 30 years. "We can assume the reasoning was to give senior citizens a discount and recognize those who have lived in our state a long time," she said. There also is a discount for senior citizens, ages 70 and older, who have lived in Oregon for at least five years and at least six consecutive months before applying. The annual discount is $25.50 for a combination angling and hunting license, $15 for a fishing license and $13.75 for a hunting license. Although you can apply for a Pioneer license through ODFW headquarters in Salem, it may be more convenient to print the online application at www.mailtribune.com/pioneerlicense and mail it to the address indicated. If only golf courses offered a similar lifetime pass, retirees would be set.