By 2020, fishing and hunting licenses that Minnesotans buy will be issued by an new electronic licensing system, the Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.
"Over the next two years, we will be modernizing the electronic license system to create a better and more efficient experience for customers – changes that will save the agency as much as $1.5 million," said Steve Michaels, DNR licensing program director. "Customers will find it easier to purchase licenses and tags online and record their harvests from a mobile device or computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
The DNR now contracts with a vendor to oversee its electronic license system, which allows customers to buy licenses at nearly 1,500 Minnesota locations. Licenses also can be bought online and by telephone. The contract with the current vendor expires in 2020.
In May the DNR asked for proposals from contractors to bid on a new system.
"The new system won't go into effect for more than two years but we have to begin work now to allow enough time to choose a vendor, design and implement the system, and communicate with customers and license sales agents," Michaels said. "Across the spectrum of retail, customers are demanding the convenience of modern technology as part of their purchasing experiences, whether it is movie theaters, airlines, or retail stores."
The DNR sells about 1.5 million fishing licenses and 580,000 hunting and trapping licenses.
In addition to sporting goods stores and other outlets, fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, or by phone at 888-665-4236. Mobile buyers receive a text or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers.
