I just left the the local Academy with my buddy (a National Guard member) that was attempting to get their hunting license.

The Type 510 license is a FREE license to Active Duty Military members, but the normal National Guard troops are not allowed to ge the license - WHAT A CROCK. This guy came back from IRAQ 3 months ago!

Academy had to call Austin for more information and Austin stated that he was not eligible for the FREE license. He is not disabled, but why can't a troop that can go overseas be eligible for a free license.

He spoke to another person in the office (also a National Guard Member) who stated he got his type 510 license at the Wal Mart 2 miles from the office for free. This guy was deployed to Ft. Hood for 11 months in 2003 and has never stepped foot outside U.S. Soil.

I checked the state statutes (From 42.012 - Parks & Wildlife Code):

"The commission shall waive the fee for a qualified disabled veteran and for a resident on active duty as a member of the United States military forces"

The Outdoor Annual states:

"FREE Available to any Texas resident on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, or National or State Guard"

I guess the term ACTIVE is the hold up, but these guys are Active in terms that they could get called up for hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or to go overseas at any time with little or no warning.

WHAT WOULD THE HARM BE TO ALLOW THEM TO BE ELIGIBLE TO HUNT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR FREE?

He did ask what would happen if he were to get the Type 510 license when he was allowed to speak to the person in Austin - He would be ticketed for hunting with an illegal hunting license.

I guess that if he were duck hunting it would be for violations of both the state and federal game laws due to the fact that his "Duck Stamp" was attached to an "illegal license"

I guess that there are just soo many National Guard Members that hunt that the state cannot afford to allow them to be eligible to hunt at even a reduced rate.

How many National Guard Members are holding "illegal licenses" and do not even know it?

I spent 22 years on Active Duty in Army and I think that these guys should be eligible for the license for free or at a reduced rate at the very least.

HUMMMM MAYBE WRITE THE TPW, OR THE GOVNOR,WITH YOUR CONCERNS. MAYBE START A PETETION???
I'M WITH YOU, NO MORE PEOPLE THAN HUNT THESE DAYS HOW MANY FREE LICENSE COULD THAT BE? MAYBE 500 AT THE MOST.
OR TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND YOU PAY FOR IT AND TELL HIM YOU APPRECIATE HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

Tell him to wait until he does a weekend active duty, that is considered active duty status, He can go his free license then, but if he waits until Monday it sounds like he is out of luck.

Nope Dogcatcher, that's not active duty when they are on drill for the weekend. They are paid at the active duty rate for 4 days for 48 hrs of drill. Now please don't get me wrong, I think they should get the same free license as the disabled Vets, or the active duty does. Fact is they must have orders placing them on active duty, before they are on active duty. I was also in the NG at one time. The stand-by, call out is for STATE Duty when their is the need, Our Gov, makes that call, not the US Army. Yes maybe you could pay for your buddies license and thank him for serving.

Hillbilly they get Base privileges on their active weekends such as PX/BX and commissary so I just guessed that it was the same. Or is that for the Reserves only and not for the National Guard? I just know there has to be some way to legally screw the system.

Yes their is always a way, not really what you want to post here on an open forum. As it wouldn't be any better then hunting without a license........ Base privileges, are still part of the drill weekend and two weeks in the summer for their long camp, but the Unit has to active for them to get full time use. NG and Reserves are the same as far as Base Privileges goes. You see it's possible for the Reserves to be at home and still have an Active Unit, but only the members under Orders are active duty.

Thanks for clearing this up Hillbilly, now if I can just get all of the mud out of it so I can really see the bottom of the barrel.

Do you remember DA31Form...................

All I ever wanted was my DD214, that was the only number I wanted and that I remember. But what is a DA31Form?

Active duty leave form......................

The goverment is probably afraid if we give free licenses to one group,we have to give it to everyone.I wish they gave it to ALL veterans.But can you figure how much money they would lose.Add WW2,Korea,Viet Nam,Desert Storm etc. TPWD would lose millions.Look at how many vets hunt and fish.Since I game back from Nam in '72 [2 tours] I have received from the VA educational benefits.I tried getting a loan to fix up the house but the paper work was staggering.Guys may be we need someone in Austin that has is a veteran that has dodged bullits.

The term "Active" could apply in a lot of cases and is a little mis-leading. My understanding would be under official orders in an active component of the armed services. Problem here is if you are in the National Guard, Reserves, or like myself in the inactive reserves, and you are serving in an "activated" capacity then you ain't in Texas, or if you are, you will not be for long. My brother in law is entitled to the license while serving in the Air Force @ Shepard AFB and has never seen the sand, which is fine, but it does seem unfair that someone who just returned from Iraq or Afghanistan who is no longer in an active status is not elgible. I would have to agree with Team Hillbilly and buy your buddy's license and thank him for serving.

The first way to get some action is to write your state representatives. Keep copies of everything and then watch their voting records, some of these so called supporters of Veterans rights will send you a letter thanking you for your concern and then vote against Veterans bills. That is the time to send him copies of your letter their reply and then send it along with his voting record to the news, and make sure he knows it is going to the news. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you kick them hard enough when you catch them with their pants down.

It is not the majority that gets their way with the legislature it the ones that are the biggest pain in their rear end. A small minority can get what they want if they organize and cause enough pain. It takes time and dedication, which unfortunately a lot of people lack today. Or they have the attitude that it does not apply to me so I am staying out of it.

Post deleted by majkowskid

Post deleted by cbump

Hmm interesting

Now do you see why they question the legal law abiding Soldier !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the NG and Reserves will have such a hard time ever getting the free license they deserve

If this guy served in Iraq 3 months ago then by ALL means he does deserve the license due to the time he served. The Natioal Guard soldiers do just as long of tours as active duty. Those men are just as likley to die as active duty men. If I were a game warden, I wouldnt say one word about his free license! I commend him on his service to this great nation.

I get mine free, Im finally 60%

Yes Sir gmherps, The Vets with a 60% or better get a free license, but a NG is not considered on Active Duty when they or on their Drill Weekend, That is a bit misleading. Also the Soldier must be on Active Duty when using the license to hunt. Active duty is not just serving overseas or in a combat zone. Their is a need for the rest of our troops, that are training and supporting our combat soldiers. I guess this thread has hit a cord with me, b/c I'm a 100%, and live the same life these young troops are facing as they come back.

I wish all Vets could have a free license, and I also wish they would include to APH Permit which they don't.

Like you said rules or rules, so until they are changed, We must live by them, and not try to beat the system.

I think that all who serve this great country should get em for free. Active or not.

Post deleted by Daddycajun

From what I have read those that have received these licenses that do not qualify are actually without a valid license. As everyone knows ignorance of the law is no excuse, if I had one of these and it was questionable if I was entitled to it I would be on the phone to TP&W to make sure it is a valid license or go an buy a new license.

From all that I have found several of you do not qualify for the 510 license. Being right or wrong based on a moral issue is not a legal defense. If a game warden did check you and found your license to be invalid it could cost a lot more than a super combo.

As an extra note, I am sure that most of you are aware that there are game wardens on these forums, and I am sure they have read this thread and are aware of the ones that may be in violation. And ignorance will be a worthless defense in court.

The way the law is written may not be morally right but it is still the law. My pennies worth of thoughts on this.

Post deleted by cbump