Availability Of Over-The-Counter Sales Increases In New License-Sales System

In February, Georgia sportsmen and women were waylaid by the news that WRD had signed a contract with a Missouri-based company to sell hunting and fishing licenses and boater registration online. On top of increased fees, the list of complaints sportsmen have with the new system is substantial. A GON poll showed 95 percent of sportsmen are opposed to the new system, and now — after the fact —WRD is seeking public comment.

By amending the contract with Central Bank, the company contracted to handle licensing and registration, WRD has taken steps to address one of the concerns sportsmen have with the new system, the limited availability of over-the-counter license dealers. Under the original contract, at least 80 percent of walk-in vendors would have been excluded from selling licenses. The amended contract invites all current and new license dealers to participate. The catch is, a 50-cent fee will be added to the $2.75 Internet-transaction fee already charged by Central Bank. That 50 cents will be the license dealer’s cut. Dealers who choose to participate will be responsible for providing their own compatible computer equipment and high-speed Internet access, which might prove difficult for some “Mom ’n Pops.”

“It nails down the extensive walk-in channel that we didn’t have nailed down before,” said WRD Assistant Director Todd Holbrook. “That’s nearly 1,000 license agents.”

Todd said WRD is still working to solve other issues sportsmen have with the new system. For background information on this ongoing story, see coverage of the issue at <www.gon.com>.

Three August public meetings will present information about changes in the licensing system and provide sportsmen and women the opportunity to speak out.

“If you’ve got other ideas relevant to this, come tell us,” Todd said. “We want to hear it if you’ve got ideas to solve these issues.”

Those who cannot attend may submit written comments. To send comments by e-mail, go to <www.georgiawildlife.com>, select “Contact Us” in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, then select “Send us an Email.” To mail comments, send them to: License Changes, Georgia DNR/Wildlife Resources, 2070 Hwy 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.

License System Meetings
(All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.)

• Thursday, Aug. 7, Lindale (Rome),
Pepperell High School, 3 Dragon Dr.

• Tuesday, Aug. 12, Jesup,
Altamaha Technical College, 1777 W. Cherry St.

• Wednesday, Aug. 20, Forsyth
Ga. Public Safety Training Center Auditorium