Be patient with new IDFG licensing system

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be launching a new license and tag sales system on March 1, and department officials are asking the public to be patient while the change is made and license vendors learn the new system.

“For the first time since 2007, the department is upgrading its license issuance system which is a major undertaking. We’ve trained our staff and vendors on the new terminals and issuance process, but it may take a little while before everyone becomes familiar with the new system,” said Michael Pearson, Fish and Game administration bureau chief.

Nothing about the licenses will be changing other than the way they are printed, vendors and vendor sites will also remain the same.

“All the sites that normally sell licenses will continue to do so,” Phil Cooper with IDFG said. “Just a little learning curve is all, instead of five minutes, the process may take a little longer.”

In 2017, IDFG contracted with JMT Technology Group to operate its licensing system and conduct controlled hunt drawings.

The contract includes providing sales terminals at all IDFG regional offices, private businesses that sell licenses around the state and also the internet sales website.

JMT currently serves other fish and wildlife agencies in Washington, West Virginia and Maryland.

Idaho Fish and Game sells approximately 1.9 million licenses, tags and controlled hunt applications annually, all of which is done through the contracted licensing system.

March 1 is also the final day to apply for controlled spring turkey hunts, and hunters are encouraged to apply before then to ensure applications are completed in a timely manner.