Does anyone know why fishing licenses expire at the end of February? Is there a legitimate reason for this? I personally think they should start and end in May (the walleye/northern Opener in MN). What is your opinion?
I like the current dates. Too many people buying on the opener as is.. I dont think the retailers could keep up with the demand..
I think they should come due on January 1st just like boat tabs. Don’t get me going on ice shelter tags that expire mid season… 
-J.
I think its ideal just the way it is. It happens at the slowest time of year for bait shops. If everyone was getting there license around opener, it would be anarchy and we would be standing in line for a long time around opener.
The way its set now, people will filter throuh from now with the late ice fishermen and early boat fishermen, to another rush of spring crappie fishermen, then the last rush around opener and the 1st major holiday of the year(memorial day?). Over 75% of fishermen will have their license before opener.
Side note.. Please buy some other products at your local bait shop if you are stopping in to buy a license with a credit/debit card! Those credit machines cost money for each transaction.
I think they should last for one year, from date of purchase, no matter when you buy them.
And a shelter license, should go from July 1st 
-June 30th
I wonder if it has something to do with when funding is needed.
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I wonder if it has something to do with when funding is needed.
License fees go directly into the state general fund. The legislature allocates funds back to the DNR and then again allocated inside of the DNR to the Fisheries division. There is no direct correlation between number of licenses sold and amount of money the DNR gets.
-J.
SD runs Jan 31st to Jan 31st. The nice thing is you can buy anytime in Jan for the next year and it counts as a valid licence for the current year. That is a great system I think.
I’d like it to be Opener-Opener, but make the licenses available from April 1 forward….
Now that I think about it, that’s not much different from the way it is now, you just have another extra month to buy your license. 
I just wish I didn’t have to buy another license in the middle of the ice season, and that’s because I haven’t fished much between ice-out and the opener.
They should offer lifetime licenses so that you do not have to monkey around with it all 
i like what scott said, that plan sounds like a good one
Iowa is similar to SD, they run Jan.10th to Jan.10th, but you can begin purchase on Dec.15th and it’s good when purchased. If that makes sense.
Ed
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They should offer lifetime licenses so that you do not have to monkey around with it all
Minnesota has lifetime fishing licenses. However, you still need to get a new printed card/sticker every year.
-J.
I suppose March 31 would be more convenient like Wisconsin but a year is a year so not that big of a deal to me.
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I wonder if it has something to do with when funding is needed.
License fees go directly into the state general fund. The legislature allocates funds back to the DNR and then again allocated inside of the DNR to the Fisheries division. There is no direct correlation between number of licenses sold and amount of money the DNR gets.
-J.
This has always frustrated me. The $$ sould go directly to the DNR. I would like to know what % of every dollar taken actually gets to the DNR.
I don’t really care either way. I just wanted to make the 15th post so that there would be fire next to the topic title. 
Why not Jan 1?
Does that make too much sense?
With all the different seasons, and what not. I think that would be best.
Sure would eliminate any confusion. For example we are fishing 2007 right now on 2006 licenses *shrugs shoulders*
Also, please explain the choice “opener to opener”
I remember a time when “opener” meant a whole different thing then it does today 
I think that once you hit 50 you should fish for free 
I just stopped into HOF and purchased my new 2007 license.
Legal for another year.
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They should offer lifetime licenses so that you do not have to monkey around with it all
Nebraska has lifetime. I’ve got a combination Hunt/Fish as well as the Habitat Stamp. It’s nice not having to remember to go get a license every year.
I’m pretty sure Dave knows about the MN Lifetime license.
I think the Date’s are perfect a week after Walleye close’s and right when our IceHouse’s have to be off it’s a great feeling March 1st knowing I’m good to go for the entire summer and most of the Winter.
Walked in yesterday no waiting out in 5 minutes. 
Jan. 1st would be my suggest also.
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