As we approach a new year, a lot of outdoorsmen and women in the state have some business to attend to. The 2008 hunting and fishing license are now available and come January 1 will be necessary if you have any plans for an early year outing to hunt and fish.
The advancement of on-line sales is music to the ears of Mike Mullins who oversees the internet sales of licensing for the DNR.
"It’s available 24-hours a day and 365 days a year at the website. It allows you to purchase any license the DNR sells, except the lifetime license," said Mullins.
The number of on-line license sales has increased again in 2007. Mullins says the exact figures won’t be known until the New Year, but it’s up considerably from last year.
Still there are some who aren’t as net savvy as others and are content to buy that license year to year across the counter of a myriad of retailers in the state. However, in many cases that system has advanced to a new level as well.
"We have approximately 200 retailers. About 72 of them are issuing electronic licenses," said Mullins.
The electronic license or Point of Sale system as it’s often called requires only that you hand the clerk your drivers license. With the wave of an electronic wand all of the necessary information is gleaned from that driver’s license and transferred to a hunting or fishing license. The information is immediately transferred to the DNR’s
Another advantage is those old cardboard cards that held all of your extra stamps are a think of the past and a slip of waterproof paper reflects everything you have purchased. The only retailers yet to make the switch, due to technical difficulties are Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores in the state.
Of course, this whole year-to-year exercise could be eliminated if sportsmen are willing to take a one-time bite on the cost of the license. A lifetime license, although steep initially will pay for itself over the year.
"We have two categories of lifetime licenses," said Mullins. "You can purchase an infant license up through age two for children or grandchildren for hunting, trapping and fishing for $380. That’s half the price the cost of a regular adult."
The other big selling point of the lifetime license is that if you have one, you can use it for life–even if you move out of state.
A few years ago the state started issuing plastic cards for lifetime license holders with your choice of images. A deer, bear, turkey, trout, and largemouth bass are all available on the durable card that will last for many years. It’s an investment when made early enough in life that can pay for itself over time.
Those who are already lifetime license holders and want to upgrade to one of the new cards can do so for a $5 fee. One-hundred percent of the fee is directed toward Hunters Helping the Hungry.