RI Fishing And Hunting Licenses
For The 2018 Season To Go On Sale March 1
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
(DEM) will launch a new, fully online fishing and hunting license system that
expands upon current web-based services on Thursday, March 1.
Implementation of the new system is part of statewide
efforts to improve customer service and streamline processes.
The system will
replace paper-based license issuances and accounting methods and builds upon
the current offering of online fishing licenses to include hunting licenses,
permits, tags, and stamps.
Fishers and hunters will be able to access their
accounts 24/7, so they can manage their licenses, add new permits and licenses
from the comfort of home, on the go, or even out in the field.
The new system secures licensing and registration information
electronically and enables customers to save frequently used information,
report harvests online, and carry proof of licenses and permits in one
document.
Licenses will still be available for purchase at DEM's
Office of Boating Registration & Licenses in Providence and participating
sales agent locations across the state.
On March 1, residents and non-resident
customers will be able to purchase freshwater fishing, recreational saltwater
fishing, hunting, and combination freshwater fishing and hunting licenses, as
well as trout stamps and spring turkey permits.
Starting in April, hunters will
be able to report their spring turkey harvest online. In August, hunters will
be able to purchase hunting permits for deer, migratory bird, and small game
and will be able to report all harvests online.
There are no additional fees for purchases made online or
at DEM.
If customers make purchases at a sales agent, there will be an enhanced
access fee of $2 per license and $0.50 per permit for residents; for
non-residents, the additional fee will be $3 per license and $0.50 per permit.
Enhanced access fees will be used to offset the administrative costs to bill,
track, and account transactions at sales agent locations and support system
development, operation, support and maintenance.
The enhanced system was developed by Rhode Island
Interactive, LLC (RII). RII previously partnered with DEM and its vendors to
issue the current online freshwater fishing license, which has been active for
over 10 years, and saltwater fishing licenses, which have been available online
since 2010.
As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities
in Rhode Island, hunting and fishing play an important role in connecting
people with nature, supporting quality of life and family traditions, and
attracting tourism.
Fishers and hunters purchase approximately 70,000 licenses,
permits, stamps and tags each year and contribute more than $148 million to
Rhode Island's economy.
Revenue generated from license and permit sales support
Rhode Island fish and wildlife conservation programs.
A critical source of
funding, these monies are leveraged to match federal Wildlife and Sport Fish
Restoration Program dollars that support outdoor recreational opportunities for
fishing, hunting, and boating in Rhode Island.
More information about the new licensing system is
available at dem.ri.gov/huntfish. The site also acts as a portal to help plan
adventures that make the most of Rhode Island's great outdoors.
The site links
to information on hunting and fishing opportunities, trails and natural areas
through a variety of maps, as well as certification information for hunter
safety and boating safety.
For more information on DEM programs and
initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely
updates.
Related links
Department or
agency:
Online: http://www.dem.ri.gov/