ODFW Offers Tips on Oregon Hunting App



ODFW Offers Tips on Oregon Hunting App

Published 08/25/2019 at 5:53 AM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

ODFW Offers Tips on Oregon Hunting App

(Salem, Oregon) – As Oregon’s fall hunting quickly nears its start, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is providing a few tech tips on its app when it comes to using e-tags with the latest electronic licensing system.

To begin, the agency said, make sure you log on before getting out of cell reception.

While the MyODFW app does work without cell reception, you need start it up within range in order to log in correctly and have your profile come up. Only then will it work once out of reception range.

“Note that the original version of the app released in December 2018 automatically logged users out after six months, so hunters who haven’t used the app in awhile may need to login again even if they never logged out,” ODFW said.

If you’ve forgotten your password or username, there are system prompts on the ODFW licensing system page to recover them with by phone, email or social media with the help desk at ODFW.

ODFW said you should update and sync your app before leaving cell reception.

Go to the Google Play store on Android Devices or the App store on Apple devices. Update your MyODFW app or hit “Open” to be sure you have the latest version (currently 2.1.0). Once you are logged in, click the three lines on the upper right corner and hit “Sync Account” to be sure the app is fully synced and has your latest information.

Once out hunting, don’t forget flagging tape, duct tape or some other material to affix to your animal. Successful big game hunters using e-tagging first need to validate the tag with the MyODFW app. Then write down the confirmation number provided by the app after tagging plus your name, ODFW ID, date of birth and harvest date on anything that will stand up to the elements (like flagging or duct tape). Affix it to the animal like a traditional tag and keep it attached to the carcass in transport. This additional step is needed so animals that have been tagged can be visually identified by OSP and other hunters. See page 16 of the 2019 Oregon Big Game Regulations for more information on tagging.

If you’re having problems tagging or opening the app while in the field, try turning off your wi-fi.

Hunters and anglers who connect other peripheral devices through their cell phone's wireless connection (such as a GPS or camera) may need to disconnect their WiFi while validating their tag in the app. If you get a message that says “An error has occurred,” try turning off your WiFi. You can turn it back on once you are done tagging under the new licensing system.

Bring a portable charger or take other steps to keep your phone charged.

Just like in previous years, hunters will be required to have and display a license and tag upon contact by ODFW or OSP. Hunters who choose electronic tagging need to have enough battery or an external battery source to power their phone and show a license or tag. Placing your phone in airplane mode will significantly conserve battery life when out of cell reception. Note that ODFW and OSP will also be able to access information about a hunter’s licenses and tags while in the field and not in cell service.

Make sure kids have paper tags or their own electronic device.

Each hunter is required to carry their own license or tag and hunters out of cell service won’t be able to login for their child. So young hunters need to have their own phone or tablet, or use paper tagging.

Sports Pac holders still need to “purchase” their tag before the deadline.

Sports Pac holders must get the general season or controlled or tag before their particular deadline. The tag won’t cost anything but the user still needs to “purchase” it by visiting a license sales agent or logging in to their account and going through purchase steps. Note that the tag sale deadline is always the day before the hunt begins for big game hunts (and September 27 to purchase a bear or cougar tag).

Protect paper licenses/tags in a plastic bag or some other waterproof container.

Lost licenses can be reprinted anytime by those with an online account, but remember if you lose your tag, you will need to visit an ODFW office or license sales agent and pay $2 for a reprint. The new tag will have a new barcode and your old tag will be invalid.

“ODFW appreciates all the hunters and anglers who have used the new electronic licensing system,” said Linda Lytle, ODFW Licensing Services Manager. “While we have seen some bugs, these have been quickly fixed by our vendor so the system is running as it should.”