MN DNR Licensing Good And Bad News

A press release was issued yesterday announcing the MN DNR will be modernizing licensing. That is the good news.

The bad news is it will take 2 friggen years to be implemented and the track record of these state and software systems working as promised for the get is worse than awful.

I wonder how the implementation went in Michigan?

DNR takes an important step toward building a modernized electronic license system
Conservation technology company selected as vendor
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota IT Services have selected conservation technology company S3 as the vendor to build a modern electronic licensing system to serve the state’s anglers, boaters, hunters and recreational vehicle owners.

“This is an important and exciting milestone toward making it easier for all Minnesotans who already buy licenses for their outdoor pursuits and those who would like to try something new,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “The new licensing system will modernize DNR’s ability to connect Minnesotans with the information and services they need so they can get outside and enjoy our exceptional lands and waters.”

S3 has built licensing systems for a number of other states including Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.

“We are one step closer to modernizing the way you can access licensing services from the DNR,” said Tarek Tomes, commissioner of Minnesota IT Services. “The new system will make it faster and easier for Minnesotans to buy licenses and ultimately, experience Minnesota’s natural resources.”

Minnesotans will still be able to buy licenses at their favorite bait shop or sporting goods store, but the new system will provide much improved online capabilities, including the ability to buy and store licenses on mobile devices. Recreational vehicle and boat license and registration services will continue to be provided by mail, online or in-person at deputy registrar offices. Licenses and registrations will also continue to be available at the DNR license center in St. Paul.

The new system’s construction and testing are expected to take about two years to complete, with a public launch expected in early 2025. For more information, and to sign up to receive email updates about the new license system, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/rlp/els.html).

I’ll bet this works out just fine, like the DMV roll out a couple years ago. Millions and millions of dollars for a system that had me waiting 10 months to get license plate for my truck. Just dandy.

“To err is human, but to really screw up give MN government a computer”.

VPN

That’s great news, too bad it’s going to take 2 years to get there.
Iowa and SD have apps that work great. I purchase all my license in SD on the app and submit my deer apps in both states through the app on my phone.

Nebraska went full website orientated for purchasing deer tags a number of years ago. It’s pretty simple. Create a login buy your tag and print it out on a printer. Have never purchased a fishing license down there but I am assuming it’s done the same way.

I have been checked by game wardens twice at the access when I am pulling my boat out of the water. When they ask to see your license I just open the app on my phone and show them my phone.

Sounds like yet another government waste of time and money.Have never had an issue buying a license.If you have an I.D. and 26$ any Holiday gas staion in the state will sell you one,many other places will to.

matt wrote:

Sounds like yet another government waste of time and money.Have never had an issue buying a license.If you have an I.D. and 26$ any Holiday gas staion in the state will sell you one,many other places will to.

You are a lucky one if you have never had an issue. I’ve had several occasions where I have been told “ sorry our machine is down” or Sorry, no one here today knows how to work the machine or Sorry the machine is out of paper. You can buy license online now. Just not thru an app.

matt wrote:

Sounds like yet another government waste of time and money.Have never had an issue buying a license.If you have an I.D. and 26$ any Holiday gas staion in the state will sell you one,many other places will to.

I’ve never had an issue buying on line since they started the on line purchasing.

I’m wondering if this system is going to be linked with other state systems(?) That’s the only thing that makes sense to me. (although I’ve never bought a deer license on line)

Maybe I’m missing something but what is new with this? You already can buy it online and store on your mobile device. I’ve been doing that for years.

Also, I’m with BK and never had any issues buying a license online. I just renewed my boat registration a couple weeks ago and bought a new sportsman license a month or two ago and both worked flawlessly. My sportsman license is also saved on my phone and that has been my primary way of showing my license when I’ve been checked by COs the last several years.

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

My sportsman license is also saved on my phone and that has been my primary way of showing my license when I’ve been checked by COs the last several years.

I believe this is acceptable unless you have an actual site tag that needs to be applied, like on a deer, bear, or turkey. Then you need the actual piece of paper.

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

Maybe I’m missing something but what is new with this? You already can buy it online and store on your mobile device. I’ve been doing that for years.

Kinda what I was thinking when I read this. What will actually be different for us as license purchasers? Or maybe this will be more of a system change that’s internal?

matt wrote:

Sounds like yet another government waste of time and money.Have never had an issue buying a license.If you have an I.D. and 26$ any Holiday gas staion in the state will sell you one,many other places will to.

Same

All I ask is that we don’t have to carry an archaic piece of paper around in our wallet anymore…. once we buy it (either online or in person), its fully available to the DNR. Why in the world would I need to show anyone??? if they stop me, I tell them who I am and maybe a picture id and they can look up what ever they want. so stupid!!

How can it take 2 years to copy what WI already has? Good news going forward, hopefully worth the wait.

joe-winter wrote:

All I ask is that we don’t have to carry an archaic piece of paper around in our wallet anymore…. once we buy it (either online or in person), its fully available to the DNR. Why in the world would I need to show anyone??? if they stop me, I tell them who I am and maybe a picture id and they can look up what ever they want. so stupid!!

what’s the difference between carrying around your ID versus a tiny piece of paper? I like leaving my wallet in the truck when I’m out fishing. Just one more thing that can go down the hole or over the side of the boat.

I’d say most people almost always have their phone on them. I keep my license in my photos on my phone and I also email it to myself, so I can pull it up on my phone or any phone with internet access.

gimruis wrote:

I believe this is acceptable unless you have an actual site tag that needs to be applied, like on a deer, bear, or turkey. Then you need the actual piece of paper.

true – good point. With those types of licenses, you just need to buy them ahead of time so there is time for them to be mailed to you. You can’t buy it online on Friday and hunt on Saturday because you need to wait for the paper. In those cases, yes I would see the benefit of an upgraded online system.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Gitchi Gummi wrote:</div>
My sportsman license is also saved on my phone and that has been my primary way of showing my license when I’ve been checked by COs the last several years.

I believe this is acceptable unless you have an actual site tag that needs to be applied, like on a deer, bear, or turkey. Then you need the actual piece of paper.

That is why I like the Nebraska system. When you buy your license(tag) you print it out on a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. The carcass tag portion is on the bottom 1/3 of the print out.
That way it eliminates waiting for a tag to show up in the mail. You buy your tag, print it out and go hunt.

I don’t really care what the system is, so long as when I’m fishing border waters I don’t have to carry the stupid piece of paper that the printing smudges off of on 2 weeks after printing. I’ve had a CO tell me that this is illogical, and that they haven’t cited someone for NOT having a license on them if they can reproduce the digital one anyway.

With all these new “IDs” that the state of MN is ramming down people’s throats…why couldn’t any recreational license, endorsement, donor status, blah blah blah ALL be on there?

buckybadger wrote:

With all these new “IDs” that the state of MN is ramming down people’s throats…why couldn’t any recreational license, endorsement, donor status, blah blah blah ALL be on there?

Free ID’s and licenses for everyone… except the sportsmen.

So will the DNR approve of electrical licenses instead of having a paper copy on you?

Michael Best wrote:

That is why I like the Nebraska system. When you buy your license(tag) you print it out on a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. The carcass tag portion is on the bottom 1/3 of the print out.
That way it eliminates waiting for a tag to show up in the mail. You buy your tag, print it out and go hunt.

I could see some individuals taking advantage of that in an unethical way too though. With the waiting process for a tag in the mail, you have hunters who are planning a hunt in advance. With the immediate purchase and print, you could have someone down an animal without that, quickly go home, purchase/print it, and then go tag it. I’m sure the majority of hunters do not operate that way, I’m just saying that it makes it a whole lot easier to do so.

FYI you haven’t needed to have a paper copy on you for the last few years. A photo or a pdf on your phone is fine except for the tagging portion. I agree Holiday is hit or miss, I’ve gone behind the counter and walked them through it a few times. It’ll be nice when we don’t need a physical tag, but the online system they have now works well for the 2 years we need to wait.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Michael Best wrote:</div>
That is why I like the Nebraska system. When you buy your license(tag) you print it out on a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. The carcass tag portion is on the bottom 1/3 of the print out.
That way it eliminates waiting for a tag to show up in the mail. You buy your tag, print it out and go hunt.

I could see some individuals taking advantage of that in an unethical way too though. With the waiting process for a tag in the mail, you have hunters who are planning a hunt in advance. With the immediate purchase and print, you could have someone down an animal without that, quickly go home, purchase/print it, and then go tag it. I’m sure the majority of hunters do not operate that way, I’m just saying that it makes it a whole lot easier to do so.

True, however they would be hunting without a license and if they were to ever be checked they would be ticketed.
Of all the poaching cases I read about. They are not gaming the system. They flat out are not participating in the system.

That’s why I am not a big fan of hunting privileges being revoked. A poacher didn’t care about their privileges before being caught. Why would they they care after being caught. The punishment needs to be severe enough to deter them from doing it again.

FinickyFish wrote:

FYI you haven’t needed to have a paper copy on you for the last few years. A photo or a pdf on your phone is fine except for the tagging portion. I agree Holiday is hit or miss, I’ve gone behind the counter and walked them through it a few times. It’ll be nice when we don’t need a physical tag, but the online system they have now works well for the 2 years we need to wait.

This is correct for inland waters. However, for border waters you still NEED the paper copy the last I checked (which is what I was referencing).

Im a paper guy. I rarely take my phone on the boat. I rarely take it in the field period, hunting or fishing. Im sure a reflection of my age but works for me.

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

Maybe I’m missing something but what is new with this? You already can buy it online and store on your mobile device.

Agreed, not sure how this is different than the fairly solid system already in place. I have buddies from out of state that have bought their licenses mobile/online on the way to LOW for like 5 years now.

I wasn’t aware of the storage on mobile device thing… I’ll have to do that… Do CO’s currently accept the mobile device options on a check?

The point of not needing anything is that everyone already has an ID (photo proof of who you are)… why would you need anything else when the CO have instant online access to all info?

phone or paper….. not needed in today’s world.

Nothing like pulling a faded unreadable fishing license from my wallet that I purchased from someone that had no idea what I needed and received a whopping 1$ for their troubles. Digital is the way to go, at least some of my money went to something I want to use.

joe-winter wrote:

Do CO’s currently accept the mobile device options on a check?

I don’t know the official law, but we’ve been checked and license on the phone was fine, and even if your phone was dead they were able to pull it up by DL #.

I’ve never found it that inconvenient to carry my angling or hunting licenses.

But then again, I’ve never been checked by a CO either.

Thanks BigWerm…. good to know

hasn’t been inconvenient much for me either but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stupid/out-a-date/complete waste of time.

Gimruis……. never been checked?? fishing Mille Lacs, Red and Pool 4 means fairly routine checks …. but hell I have been checked at the landing at Eagle Lake (tiny lake in Blue Earth county)…

I’m just glad we don’t have to post our licenses visible on our body like they do in some other states. This is so that officers can scan the crowd with binoculars to easily identify offenders. How annoying.

I agree with others that I hate having to carry the license anyway. Just like car registration — the cops can already look that up in their system. I don’t understand why we still have to have it on us. I am trying to reduce the amount of stuff in my wallet. And I know if I didn’t carry with me all the time and put it in a tackle bag or something, I would go fishing without that bag the one time I was checked and not have it.

As for in-person vs online. Online is nice since you have access to print another copy should you lose the one. But there is something about getting it in person that is part of the fishing tradition for me. I love around opening when 9 out of 10 people waiting at the desk at Fleet Farm are there to get their license.

It always amazes me when people have never been checked. I have friends that say the same thing. You must not fish enough Gimruis, or atleast that’s what I tell tell my friends when they bring this up. I seem to get checked at least once a year which is fine with me. I spend the majority of my time on pool 3 so maybe that’s the difference.

buckybadger wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FinickyFish wrote:</div>
FYI you haven’t needed to have a paper copy on you for the last few years. A photo or a pdf on your phone is fine except for the tagging portion. I agree Holiday is hit or miss, I’ve gone behind the counter and walked them through it a few times. It’ll be nice when we don’t need a physical tag, but the online system they have now works well for the 2 years we need to wait.

This is correct for inland waters. However, for border waters you still NEED the paper copy the last I checked (which is what I was referencing).

Even on border water I’ve never had a CO or sheriff question my license being on my phone. I haven’t carried a paper copy in a few years. I don’t want to be responsible for someone getting a ticket, but this seems like something they’re willing to overlook as long as you can quickly pull up the digital copy.