Technology and Tags/Licenses

[HuntTalk Freak]

This year Texas started a program that allowed hunters to use a electronic copy of their license to pursue and take game for animals that don’t require a tag. Basically it covers small game, birds, varmits and exotics. You just take a screen shot or photo of your paper license with your phone and your good to go.

I keep my paper license in my wallet year round so it’s no big deal to me but it did get me to thinking. Any other states do something similar? How long until paper licenses and tags are a thing of the past, or will that ever happen?

I’ve read about guys forgetting their tag at home or damaging it somehow. I’ve almost punched out the wrong date before.

Do you foresee a day you just photo or video proof of sex of your animal, submit data online or through an app and your done? Heck, I deposit checks into my bank now just by taking a picture of it and hitting submit.

Seems like a interesting concept that could either clear up a bunch of issues or maybe cause some.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I definitely think we are headed that way, although I would guess a paper option will stick around for a while.

Honestly I think it makes more sense on the other end, ie, for state license databases to be available for lookup for wardens and for that database to be downloadable onto their device. Seems like all the technology is there for wardens to be able to contact a hunter in the field, type in their name and birth date and pull up exactly what tags they have on file.

 

[BrentD]

wllm1313
Your idea relies a lot on cell coverage or having up to date files down loaded into computers or something like that. It might work but it would be really a bummer to to not have a paper tag that is a souvenir of the trip. I treasure the 1917 Montana paper licenses stuck in the stock of my 1897. I home someone else will equally treasure my 2019 tags that have been added with all the others in between.

 

[Jape]

I definitely think we are headed that way, although I would guess a paper option will stick around for a while.

Honestly I think it makes more sense on the other end, ie, for state license databases to be available for lookup for wardens and for that database to be downloadable onto their device. Seems like all the technology is there for wardens to be able to contact a hunter in the field, type in their name and birth date and pull up exactly what tags they have on file.

I agree, I think we will get there soon and I mostly welcome it. I do wonder what the protocol would be if a person's battery ran out and they couldn't pull it up on their phone.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I agree, I think we will get there soon and I mostly welcome it. I do wonder what the protocol would be if a person's battery ran out and they couldn't pull it up on their phone.

That was exactly my thought, and why I thought it would make more sense to put the data responsibility with the warden.

 

[TheBenHoyle]

I honestly I think it will take about 10-20 years. As the older generation retires out of their positions in Game and Fish or wildlife departments in each of the states, they will be replaced by younger, more computer-oriented workers who won't even understand why we needed to use paper tags. The only reason it hasn't happened yet is that those older employees have created little fiefdoms around the way it is handled now. At least that is my impression in dealing with Illinois' DNR.

As a side note, about 3 years ago I was working for a company that was bidding on providing the tags for a service that had contracts with 15-20 states. The variability between formats for all of these states was ridiculous. No rhyme or reason. Some states had one tag that was the same size and material regardless of species or whether it was a mail-in versus OTC tag. Other states had different sizes for different species and then different materials based on OTC versus mail-in. Let's just say that it was almost impossible to bid on the business because there was too much variability and no one was willing to streamline or create uniformity in return for lower costs.

 

[LopeHunter]

NM allows various hunting-related documents to be store as e-items on an application you download to your cell phone.

 

[kylemcintyre67]

Oklahoma is close. My deer tag there is just a printout that you fill in the date and sex of the harvest. The way they have it set up you can use it for multiple harvests on that tag. They still have physical check stations but they also have an e-check option where you go to the website and report your harvest instead of driving somewhere out of the way. So for example, my NR deer tag allows me one buck and two does. I harvest a doe one morning, all I need to do is fill out the harvest info on my paper tag, put her in the cooler, and use my phone to echeck the harvest and go back to hunting for a buck. It's a pretty sweet system.

 

[HuntTalk Freak]

wllm1313
Your idea relies a lot on cell coverage or having up to date files down loaded into computers or something like that. It might work but it would be really a bummer to to not have a paper tag that is a souvenir of the trip. I treasure the 1917 Montana paper licenses stuck in the stock of my 1897. I home someone else will equally treasure my 2019 tags that have been added with all the others in between.

I keep my old tags too. Some stay on the antlers even after they are mounted.

 

[JLS]

I agree, I think we will get there soon and I mostly welcome it. I do wonder what the protocol would be if a person's battery ran out and they couldn't pull it up on their phone.

Charging ports at the jail?

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

South Dakota has done small game and fishing on your phone for a while now. It's pretty slick if you ask me. I just take a picture of my license and if I ever forget my paper copy for some reason I have the proof in my phone. You can also store it on the app, but that requires cell service to access which is why I just take a photo of it.

I believe Alaska also allows for the same now, I did it for a fishing license but I think its good for small game too. But this I am not certain about.


Honestly I think its a great move forward. You can still print and carry your license without issue, but the ability to just have it on your phone is added security if you ask me.

 

[Brute]

Oregon started it this year.

Save your Hunter/Angler ID# and get ready to verify your account: New ODFW Electronic Licensing System on track to launch Dec. 1

ODFW’s electronic licensing system (ELS) | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

Buy licenses/tags online and print them immediately from any printer—or choose electronic tagging to carry your documents and tag fish and game with the MyODFW mobile app on your phone. Buy a license

myodfw.com

 

[HuntTalk Freak]

Oklahoma is close. My deer tag there is just a printout that you fill in the date and sex of the harvest. The way they have it set up you can use it for multiple harvests on that tag. They still have physical check stations but they also have an e-check option where you go to the website and report your harvest instead of driving somewhere out of the way. So for example, my NR deer tag allows me one buck and two does. I harvest a doe one morning, all I need to do is fill out the harvest info on my paper tag, put her in the cooler, and use my phone to echeck the harvest and go back to hunting for a buck. It's a pretty sweet system.

Very similar to TX. All of our deer and turkey tags are attached to one license, you simply pull off the appropriate tag, sign, cut out dates and attach to animal; then sign, date back of big license. Having to check an animal depends on what county it was harvested.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

wllm1313
Your idea relies a lot on cell coverage or having up to date files down loaded into computers or something like that.

I think we could actually do it right now for most states. Essentially when you buy a license in CO, WY, Mt, etc it creates a record in a database tied to your CID, ALS, number. A warden would have a app on their phone, that when in service would automatically sync the database on their phone with the master state database. I can see if a warden was in the field all day or for several days there might be an issue is someone purchased a license that day, although many states of a 24hr waiting period for a lot of tags already so that problem would be somewhat mitigated. Honestly I have this kind of file sync set up on my phone already for work, it really wouldn't be that difficult to set up.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

AZ. Game Wardens are Certified Peace Officers/Law Enforcement.
Everything is computerized.Ifyou have any outstanding warrant,your going to jail.
Was checked on the Kiabab and it took over half an hour to check my background
and hunting status.Pain in the rear,but all you need is an I.D. and everyhing else
is in the system.

 

[KipCarson]

There are a few issues that would arise occasionally I’m sure but overall it makes sense. With your drivers license information LEOs can already know your record, search for warrants etc in a matter of minutes. No reason the GWs shouldn’t be able to access a persons license history just a small easily. I could see there being connectivity issues in remote areas and combined with the tendency of electronics to fail, that is the one and only reason to keep paper license system in place imo.

Game and fish laws seem to be slow to catch up to the times it seems to me.There are a ton of archaic rules on the books that make no sense. One that’s always struck me as odd is in my home state, and every state I’ve hunted in, you have to have proof of hunters safety on you in addition to your license. Yet, just to buy the license you were already required to present it and can’t have a license with out one... so if you have a license you’ve already proved hunter safety. Maybe I’m just missing something on on that. Not a big deal really but keeping up with a safety card for a lifetime isn’t necessarily an easy task. Can’t read the numbers an most people’s I know after a few years in a gritty wallet anyway.

 

[FranklinME]

In Maryland my deer is checked in on the DNR App before I get out of the tree, if I see it fall.

If asked to see my license in the field I just hold up my phone.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

There are a few issues that would arise occasionally I’m sure but overall it makes sense. With your drivers license information LEOs can already know your record, search for warrants etc in a matter of minutes. No reason the GWs shouldn’t be able to access a persons license history just a small easily. I could see there being connectivity issues in remote areas and combined with the tendency of electronics to fail, that is the one and only reason to keep paper license system in place imo.

Game and fish laws seem to be slow to catch up to the times it seems to me.There are a ton of archaic rules on the books that make no sense. One that’s always struck me as odd is in my home state, and every state I’ve hunted in, you have to have proof of hunters safety on you in addition to your license. Yet, just to buy the license you were already required to present it and can’t have a license with out one... so if you have a license you’ve already proved hunter safety. Maybe I’m just missing something on on that. Not a big deal really but keeping up with a safety card for a lifetime isn’t necessarily an easy task. Can’t read the numbers an most people’s I know after a few years in a gritty wallet anyway.

I've always wondered about that as well. In CO you can bring your hunter education card into a CPAW office and they will validate it for you, a little notation appears on your license after that and then you don't have to have your card with you in the field.

Here's the rub though: My wife did her hunter's safety when she was 10 or 11 in Colorado, she didn't get a license for 10 years or so and lost the card. When she wanted to get a license she called CPAW to get her hunter's safety number which they were able to look up and then printed her a replacement card which they mailed to her. In order to get validated she then had to take that card into an office. Sorry but what???

 

[FI460]

Oregon started it this year.

Save your Hunter/Angler ID# and get ready to verify your account: New ODFW Electronic Licensing System on track to launch Dec. 1

ODFW’s electronic licensing system (ELS) | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

Buy licenses/tags online and print them immediately from any printer—or choose electronic tagging to carry your documents and tag fish and game with the MyODFW mobile app on your phone. Buy a license

myodfw.com

Yup, Oregon is doing it. It's been a bit of a headache already, but I chalk that up to people fearing change. My experience so far has been positive. It's nice that all of my tags are with me at all times on my phone, just a little different.

We have an app based system, and the app works without data coverage. From what I understand the app has already generated a tag confirmation number for people, and when you press the button it provides it to you. You record the confirmation number on something like flagging and attach it to the animal, and the data is uploaded when you return to cell service.

The paper tag option is still available as well, but the documents are printed on standard copy paper.

 

[KipCarson]

Here's the rub though: My wife did her hunter's safety when she was 10 or 11 in Colorado, she didn't get a license for 10 years or so and lost the card. When she wanted to get a license she called CPAW to get her hunter's safety number which they were able to look up and then printed her a replacement card which they mailed to her. In order to get validated she then had to take that card into an office. Sorry but what???

Makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. I’m convinced most of those ignorant rules were created by government bureaucrats just to give them something else to justify their existence. Not sure how we’d get by without em.