ODFW release – SALEM, Ore.—Oregon’s major fall hunting seasons begin soon, and ODFW is passing along some tech tips for hunters using e-tags with the new electronic licensing system: Be sure you are logged in to the MyODFW app before heading out of cell reception. The MyODFW app works without cell reception, but users need to be logged in or their profile won’t come up and they won’t be able to use the app when out of cell service. 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. Forgot your username or password? Follow the system prompts on the ODFW Licensing System page to recover them or contact ODFW by phone, email or social media for help. 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 for Apple and 2.1.1 for Android). 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. Don’t forget flagging tape, duct tape or some other material to affix to your animal (see photo). 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. Problems tagging or opening app while in the field? Try turning off your WiFi. 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 still need to pick up their controlled or general season tag before the 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. Reminder the tag sale deadline is always the day before the hunt begins for big game hunts (and Sept. 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.”
For more information on ELS, visit www.myodfw.com/ELS
