News Release

COLUMBUS,OH - A new electronic licensing system that becomes operational statewide February 28 will simplify the purchase of fishing and hunting licenses, the Ohio Division of Wildlife says. The wildlife agency expects the new system, known as a point-of-sale system, to be highly efficient and a means to improve customer satisfaction. It will also allow the agency to improve its license revenue collections and ability to track license sales.

"We expect to see a great improvement in the manner by which fishing and hunting licenses and permits are sold. This will be a definite advantage for license buyers and sellers as well as our agency," said Bill Page, administrator of the wildlife agency's revenue section.

When purchasing a fishing or hunting license through the new electronic system, an Ohio driver's license may be used to record required information such as the name, address and birth date of the buyer. Licenses and permits sold through the system are bright orange in color.

A new Ohio fishing license is required March 1 of each year. A new hunting license is required September 1 each year. People who fish and hunt will be able to buy their 1999 fishing license, a current hunting license that is valid through August 31, and a spring turkey hunting permit. The turkey permit is required in addition to a valid hunting license to hunt during the spring season set for April 26 through May 16.

Those who are age 66 and older may obtain their free licenses and permits through the new electronic license sales system. They no longer have to apply to the Division of Wildlife for their free licenses and permits by use of an application form as was done in past years.

Last year, the Division of Wildlife signed a 5-year, $7.3 million contract with Digital/Compaq Equipment Corporation to install and operate the electronic license sales system. The system was used at 30 locations last November to test the license issuing process. The Division of Wildlife expects to sell approximately 1.8 million fishing and hunting licenses at 1,400 locations where the new system was installed.

EDITORS NOTE: Media interested in viewing the new electronic license sales system should contact a Division of Wildlife district office in Columbus (614-644-3925); Findlay (419-424-5000); Akron (330-644-2293); Athens (740-594-2211); or Xenia (937-372-9261).