Released on October 23, 2012
Making front line services quicker and more convenient for hunters and anglers, Saskatchewan is automating its hunting, trapping and angling licensing system.
"Our province has some of the best fishing and hunting opportunities in the world and automating the license issuance system will help to make the experience even better," Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "Each year hunters and anglers contribute about $40 million to our economy and create more than 2,500 direct jobs. These outdoors enthusiasts help maintain a strong workforce and support the economy in rural areas of the province."
Annually, more than 170,000 hunting and 185,000 angling licenses are issued for a total revenue of $12 million. The current system is paper-based, cumbersome and time consuming. Automated hunting, trapping and angling licensing will make it much easier and more efficient for people to get a licence.
"Our government has heard from many individuals that we need to update our licensing process," Cheveldayoff said. "With this new service, individuals will be able to obtain a licence at home on their personal computer at any time, through a license issuer or by telephone. The automated system will also be much more convenient for out-of-province hunters and anglers."
Hunters and anglers will still be able to purchase their licenses from local licence issuers if they wish.
The automated service is designed to improve revenue collection and financial management, game harvest and program reporting, data management and support for the license issuers. With the implementation of this system, license fees will not be increased and the allocation of 30 per cent of license revenue directed to the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund will be maintained. The Big Game Draw process will also continue as it has in the past.
The Active Network, Ltd., a private sector technology company specializing in hunting and angling license sales in North America, has been contracted to deliver this service for the province.
The ministry expects to have licences available through the automated process ready for the 2013 hunting and angling seasons.
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For more information, contact:
Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412
Email: michele.mceachern@gov.sk.ca