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A new look for DNR licenses
DNR online services Turkey permits New licenses available on ALIS Backtags Online boat, snowmobile and ATV registration Why buy a CP license? It's a great deal! Buying a CP license DNR service centers by city Donate venison to help food pantries A new look for DNR licensesWisconsin recreational hunting and fishing licenses will soon get a facelift and both the license and the equipment that issues it will have a new look. In March 2004, DNR will introduce the next generation of its licensing system, with benefits to hunters, anglers and license agents. This system upgrades the Automated Licensing Issuance System (ALIS). When you purchase your 2004 licenses, you will notice the equipment used to issue licenses is new. The new system will process your license faster and provide better print quality on license documents. Each terminal will have keyboard to allow the sales person to enter customer information into the DNR database, correct a customer's address information on the terminal, and print the new address on the customer's license. Licenses will continue to be issued on fluorescent yellow (chartreuse) paper year after year. Backtags and license documents have been redesigned to prominently display the license year and emphasize the DNR customer's "DNR Number." Each customer is assigned a unique 9-digit number the first time they purchase a license. When a customer presents a DNR customer number (along with another form of identification) to a license sales agent, the system will not request the customer's social security number. All licenses will print on durable waterproof and tear resistant paper, including turkey permits, short-term licenses and other licenses that previously were printed on receipt paper. Nearly 1,500 sporting goods, hardware stores, and other retail locations use the automated system to issue recreational licenses. Over 3.4 million licenses and approvals are sold through ALIS, bringing in over $59 million in revenue to Wisconsin's fish and wildlife account each year. DNR online servicesDid you know that you can purchase your Wisconsin recreational licenses from the convenience of your home starting March 10? With a computer, a printer, and a click of a mouse – you can purchase and in some instances print your licenses yourself. DNR also invites you to complete and submit your permit applications online for bear, turkey, deer, goose, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, otter and fisher. You can check your application status as well as review your preference points. How to apply for permitsNew procedures have been developed to apply for permits in the following programs: Hunter's Choice/bonus, turkey (fall and spring), sharp-tailed grouse, bear, goose, bobcat, fisher and otter. The $3 application fee may be paid at any license sales location, online or by phone. You must then complete and submit your application choices using one of the following options:
Permit winners and preference pointsAfter DNR completes each permit drawing (Hunter's Choice, turkey, bear, goose, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, otter and fisher), you will be able to visit the DNR website to determine whether you were awarded a permit. In addition, you will be able to preview your ongoing preference status for each drawing. Another service that will be offered via the Internet is the ability to update your address in your license customer account. Visit DNR's website for more information. Turkey permitsThis year, DNR will begin issuing turkey permits through the new system instead of delivering them by mail. Customers will be notified by postcard that they have been awarded a turkey permit, and when they purchase their turkey license, their permit(s) will print at the terminal. If you are a Conservation Patron and you were successful in the drawing, you will automatically receive your spring turkey permit(s) when you purchase your Patron license. Since the Patron only purchases a license once during the year, DNR will continue to mail fall turkey permits to Conservation Patron license holders.
New licenses available on ALISRecent legislation created two new licenses for customers who are 12 through 17 years of age.
Customers who qualify for the free armed forces fishing and small game licenses will be able to pick up their license at any ALIS agent location rather than only at a DNR office or county clerk's office. BacktagsMany of you have taken advantage of reserving a backtag number for an annual fee of $5. This number is still reserved in your name. For those of you who have not already reserved a number, you can do so by calling the Patron/Sports License Coordinator at (608) 266-7030. Many four digit backtag numbers are still available. You can request a specific number, however, they are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; and your first choice may not be open. Once a number is reserved, the $5 fee will be added onto your purchase each year. Online boat, snowmobile and ATV registrationOwners of snowmobiles, boats and all-terrain vehicles now have the option of renewing their registration online. Piloted in September 2003, online recreational vehicle registration for Wisconsin is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers have been asking for this service, says Rita Harnack, chief of the DNR Registrations and Permits Section.
The site is currently available only for renewals, but the goal is to make this web option the foundation for all recreational vehicle transactions including new registrations. Visit Wisconsin's Online Licensing Center. MasterCard and Visa credit cards may be used to pay renewal fees for an additional $1 fee. Expired recreational vehicle registrations can be renewed no matter when they expire. Decals and registration certificates are processed and mailed within seven days. Customers may print a validated receipt after completing their online registration renewal. Keep that receipt in hand and you can legally operate your recreational vehicle while waiting for registration documents to arrive in the mail. You can also choose to renew these vehicle registrations at DNR service centers. The Department of Natural Resources processes about 500,000 recreational vehicle renewal transactions each year. Snowmobile and ATV registrations are valid for two years, while boat registrations are valid for three years. Why buy a CP license? It's a great deal!The Conservation Patron (CP) license lets the avid sportsperson save money and time. The CP license offers 22 privileges including outdoor licenses, stamps applications, park and trail admissions and more for one low fee. The resident CP license costs $140 and the nonresident patron license costs $600, representing the first fee increases in seven years. Yet, this license continues to be a bargain. New this year – a Junior Conservation Patron license will be available for $75 to resident/non-resident 12- to 17-year-olds. Privileges included in the CP license-Annual Fishing License *The spring turkey permit program will have new procedures in 2004. CP license holders who have been selected to receive a permit, will be notified that they were successful in the drawing. The permit will be issued and printed with your purchase of your new 2004 CP license. What's not included in the CP license?-Bear Hunting Application CPs must apply for and pay a separate fee to participate in these activities:
Buying a CP licenseCP licenses expire each year on March 31st. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers four quick ways to conveniently buy a Conservation Patron license starting March 10, 2004. You will not receive a separate mailing to renew your CP license.
DNR service centers by cityDNR recreational licenses can be renewed online, on the phone, in person or through the mail. You can renew or purchase licenses in person at any of over 1,500 license sales locations. You can also purchase or renew licenses at DNR service centers. Office hours are subject to change, so please call ahead to ensure the office is open before beginning your travel. Donate venison to help food pantriesWhen purchasing many types of hunting licenses, you will see a request to donate venison. Wisconsin encourages hunters to donate deer that will be processed and provided to food pantries. An additional monetary donation helps pay for processing and packaging fees. The voluntary donation program gives hunters a chance to donate a dollar or more to the Wisconsin deer donation program. In 2002, about 4,970 hunters donated $18,075 to help pay for venison processing for food pantries.
That year, hunters also donated 5,646 deer, which were processed by 86 participating processors. The combined effort resulted in over 250,000 pounds of donated ground venison. In the past three years, hunters have donated over 17,000 deer which provided over 750,000 pounds of ground venison to needy families in Wisconsin. There is no processing cost to the hunter who donates a deer (except in Wood County). All the hunter has to do is bring in a legally harvested and field-dressed deer to a participating meat processor. The hunter will need to sign a log sheet to confirm the carcass donation. It is recommended that the hunter call the processor before dropping off the deer to ensure the processor has space to accept the deer. An average deer yields about 50 pounds of meat. The processed venison is frozen as ground meat in one-pound plastic packages. All venison donated to the program, however, must come from outside the zones where chronic wasting disease has been detected. Only deer registered with silver tags from outside known CWD zones will be accepted by processors who are part of the donation program. The Wisconsin wildlife damage abatement and claims program organizes and manages funding for the statewide deer donation program. Volunteers including sports groups, churches, civic organizations and food pantry staff also distribute the meat from the processor to the food pantries. USDA Wildlife Services staff, Department of Natural Resources staff and county wildlife damage staff help administer the program. Hunt For The Hungry also is a strong partner in the Wisconsin deer donation program. Contact Laurie Fike at (608) 267-7974, or Bryan Woodbury at (608) 266-2151 with any questions on this program. Natasha Kassulke is Associate Editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. |
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