Wildlife Department to debut new online licensing system Monday

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is rolling out a new digital licensing system for hunters and anglers on Monday that features a mobile app for smartphones.

Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of the Wildlife Department, said the new system will be more convenient and user-friendly for Oklahoma sportsmen and women.

Hunters and anglers will be able to possess their licenses and buy licenses through the mobile app. Android users will be able to download the app beginning Monday, but the app is pending Apple's review for iPhone users.

“You will be able to have your license on the phone," she said. "That is a big change versus having to carry a paper license with you.”

Hunters and anglers will still be able to carry a paper license if they choose.

"We will still have our license dealers throughout the state like Academy, Bass Pro and Walmart," Sturgess-Streich said. "They are still going to be selling licenses. We don't want to take that away."

The new digital system, however, provides new features.

“One of the big changes is that now you will be able to apply for like a senior citizen lifetime license or a regular lifetime license online,” Sturgess-Streich said.

The processing time for establishing residency of the applicants and approval of such licenses should be faster, she said.

The year hunters and anglers turn age 65, they are eligible for a senior citizen combination lifetime license for just $25, although there is an additional $3 convenience fee if applying online.

The new digital licensing system, designed by Brandt Information Services, will be a one-stop shop for all licensing and other tasks such as e-check. Every hunter and angler will have a customer identification number where they can view all of their licensing information.

The mobile app will take customers to a main menu where they can buy a license, look up what licenses they have, and check in their deer or turkey, Sturgess-Streich said.

Hunters also will able be able to apply for controlled hunts, check their preference points and sign up for hunter education programs, she said.

"I guess the biggest change of all is it is now all based under your customer ID number," Sturgess-Streich said. "Every type of license now will be going through one system. We won't have separate databases."

The customer identification will be generated by the computer. The Wildlife Department has transferred current licensing information for hunters and anglers to the new system, and existing customers can search their name to learn their identification number.

The new online system also will have an auto-renewal option for buying annual licenses. If customers choose to auto-renew, the Wildlife Department will email them to give notice that the agency will automatically renew the license unless they decline.

Hunters and anglers also will be offered a "hard card" option that contains all of their licenses for $5. The card, much like the one lifetime license holders carry, will feature artwork of a deer or fish.

The new system also will allow game wardens in the field to look up licensing information on hunters and anglers, Sturgess-Streich said.

Brandt Information Services has designed similar digital licensing software for fish and game agencies in Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia.

Hunters and anglers will not pay more for licenses with the new system. The $3 convenience fee the Wildlife Department is currently charging for each online sale will now be paid to Brandt Information Services for the seven-year term of the contract.

Anyone needing help with the new digital licensing system can call 405-521-3852 beginning Monday.

The new system will not only make buying a license easier but it will also give the Wildlife Department the ability to communicate more effectively with its customers, she said.

RV, boat and tackle show opens Friday

The Oklahoma Boat, RV and Tackle Show opens Friday at the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

The three-day show will be held in three buildings: The Bennett Event Center, the Cox Pavilion Building and the Centennial Building.

For more information, go to montgomeryproductions.com/okc-show.