Going to a sporting goods store to purchase a Montana hunting or fishing license used to be rite of passage for youngsters getting their first license.
Now, however, the dedicated computer systems Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks provided to stores to sell those fish and game licenses have become outdated, with no new vendors added to the system in 10 years.
“So in our … current license provider format, FWP is restricted by an aging system,” Emily Cooper, FWP’s License Bureau chief told a gathering of the Region 5 Citizens Advisory Committee in Billings on Nov. 18. “It’s a 25-year-old computer that limits the amount of providers that we can support.”
Right now, about 280 stores have the dedicated machines provided by FWP. In addition, another 50 vendors sell things like off-highway vehicle stickers and snowmobile decals. Those sales are recorded on a paper spreadsheet with payments made to FWP every month.
“It’s a really, really old way of doing business,” Cooper said.
The last significant overhaul of the system was in 2001, she added. That technology was a self-contained system that required a dedicated hardline internet connection, specialized software and hardware.
To replace all of those systems now would cost an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million, Cooper said.
“And it’s written in such an old format that all of these licensed computers have to be the same exact model.”
Under a new system soon to be rolled out, each vendor would simply provide a laptop or tablet with online access to FWP’s web-based license portal. FWP would provide signage to advertise the setup, would highlight each location on its website making it easier for customers to find the sites and provide the locations with printed regulation booklets.
Cooper didn’t say when the transition would begin.
Payment would be via credit card, no cash would be accepted. The license providers would have to supply a printer for those customers who want to print off their license or game tags. Currently, those can also be downloaded to FWP’s online app that is accessible via a smartphone.
“This new model also intends to expand ambassadorship opportunities to areas that have historically been under serviced, communities that don’t have a license provider, because, as you know, in Eastern Montana it is hundreds of miles between towns,” Cooper said.
The transition to the new setup will be offered to vendors first, then to other so-called “ambassadors.”
“Any business that wants to be an ambassador can do that,” Cooper said. “They’ll have to supply their own equipment, their own laptop, computer, tablet, phone, whatever, and they can set it up however they like.”
Cooper said the new system benefits customers too, no longer requiring them to provide personal information to strangers at the store counter where others may overhear.
The FWP website that stores and ambassadors will log in to is the same one already used by about 70% of FWP’s customers to purchase their licenses and apply for special tags online.
“Licensed providers now, as they currently stand, can’t take applications,” Cooper noted. “You can’t go to a Cabela’s and submit a license application for a special license or permit. You’ll be able to do that now.”pplication for a special license or permit. You’ll be able to do that now.”
