From The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

HUNTING, FISHING LICENSE

SYSTEM GETS MAJOR OVERHAUL

Florida's anglers and hunters will find licenses much easier to come by, starting Feb. 1.

Susan Wood, the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission's (GFC) chief of licensing and permitting, said the stamp system that makes up the current licensing process will expire on the last day of January, to be replaced by four other options.

She said the "universal license" will be available for all counties and subagents. This option will amount to a single card that will enable sellers to list all privileges the buyer purchases.

The "computerized licenses will be a second option in some counties. It will enable sellers to create the license at the point of sale.

Buyers who want to purchase their licenses over the phone will have a "toll­free telephone option" at their disposal to enable them to use credit cards to obtain licenses almost instantly. Projected launch date for the toll­free licensing system is May 1.

The "Internet system" will enable anyone with access to the internet and a credit card to obtain licenses immediately by filling out a simple form on the GFC's web site.

Also, Florida will begin offering non­residents a three­day freshwater fishing license for $5, and trapping licenses will cost $25 for residents and non­residents.

Wood said the 1996 Legislature approved the changes to enable the GFC to offer more convenient methods of license sales and eliminate license categories that produced almost no revenue.

Residents, 65 years old or older, will have the option of carrying free senior citizen licenses or other proof of age and residency.

Disabled persons who obtain disability licenses after Jan. 1, will need to renew their licenses every five years but will be required to document their disability only once.

Students from other states no longer will qualify for resident licenses. New residents will not qualify for resident licenses until they have lived in Florida six months and must possess a Florida driver's license, register to vote in Florida, register their vehicles in Florida or file homestead exemptions.

"Another important change involves hunters from Georgia," Wood said, "They will be able to purchase 10­day nonresident hunting licenses for $25 rather than the $121 they paid in the past."

The GFC also will eliminate the $15, 10­day nonresident hunting preserve license and the $100 nonresident trapping license.