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Friday, February 1, 2008
Need a license? Expect to pay more
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia hunters, fishers and boaters spend about $20 million per year for licenses. And they have around 1,100 locations around the state where they can walk in and get signed up.
With a new licensing system that should be fully implemented by the end of the year, it’ll cost more to get a license, and there’ll likely be fewer places (outside of Wal-Marts) to make a purchase.
The boat registration process is expected to be up and running late this summer. The hunting and fishing system is expected in late fall.
The changes were necessary, say Wildlife Resources Division officials, because the current system — which includes keypad/printer units at retail stores — is outdated and becoming more difficult to maintain the hardware. Currently, licenses can be purchased online (no fee is included) and at retail stores.
The new Internet-based system, managed by an out-of-state vendor (Central Bank) that runs similar systems for 20 other states, will charge a fee for every license transaction. It will be web-based, with real-time license data to prevent duplication, block sales when necessary, and be immediately available to the WRD. Telephone sales will be back after being unavailable the past year.
“Without a doubt it’s going to be a better licensing system,” said WRD assistant director Todd Holbrook. “But it’s not without growing pains.”
Just how painful the surcharges will be in the minds of sportsmen is yet to be seen. The fees will be assessed per transaction and not per license.
Here’s a breakdown of the surcharges (charged by vendor Central Bank):
Hunting/Fishing: For Internet sales, $2.75 in the first and second years and $2.50. For telephone sales, $4 the first year, $4.50 second year and $5 thereafter.
Boating: $8 for Internet transactions and $10 for telephone sales.
More troubling in the new system may be where you can get a license. Central Bank will contract with top 20 percent (by sales volume) and key license retailers. Retail stores which are set up with Internet access and the needed equipment simply facilitate the transaction.
As far as license sales volume is concerned, there’s probably no comparison between small “Mom and Pop” stores and big-box stores like Wal-Mart. You can be assured that you will be able to buy a license at all 85 Wal-Marts in Georgia, but not at many small outfits.
Holbrook says holes and snags will be addressed, but also made the point that anyone with a computer and the needed Internet access — even small tackle shops — will be able to purchase licenses.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out, considering around nine in 10 license buyers do it in person in Georgia, according to Holbrook. Shouldn’t anglers, for example, expect to be able to buy a license at the small tackle shop a mile away from the boat ramp? Just like they always have? Will people decide not to buy a license?
What’s your take?
