Buying Montana Fishing Licenses In-Person Made Easier Again

Get ready, folks! Local sporting goods stores are about to become your go-to spot for licensing again, blending convenience with a personal touch.

LICENSE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Due to outdated equipment and the need to allow for more flexibility for businesses looking to sell fishing AND hunting licenses, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is moving to a new License Ambassador program this spring.

The program is a partnership between FWP and local businesses around Montana who want to offer hunting and fishing license sales services to their customers. By moving to a modern, web-based system, the License Ambassador program allows more retailers to offer licensing services without the need for specialized, outdated hardware.

WHAT THE DIRECTOR THINKS

Montana FWP Director Christy Clark was quoted in the release as saying, “This change will ultimately provide more businesses where hunters and anglers who like to buy or apply for licenses in person, can go for help.”

For the past several months, FWP has worked with existing license providers on transitioning to the new License Ambassador program. FWP has created a License Ambassador kit that will include signage options, regulations, and other information for customers, and allow License Ambassadors to promote this additional customer service.

FWP has already signed up new outlets to sell licenses with the new License Ambassador program and will be shipping out License Ambassador kits to local businesses in the coming months.

WHY THE CHANGE?

The transition replaces an aging provider system that relied on proprietary equipment that is no longer repairable or replaceable. By using FWP’s secure online portal, License Ambassadors can now serve customers using standard internet-connected devices.

Montana FWP says this change is necessary because they are simply unable to keep the old system going with outdated license provider equipment that can’t be fixed when it breaks or replace when it’s unusable.

READ MORE: How UM Students Fueled a Resurgence in Hunting & Fishing Club

NO CHANGE TO ONLINE PURCHASING

Hunters and anglers can also still go online to buy or apply for licenses and permits. The online licensing system used by the public will be the same system used by License Ambassadors to sell licenses to customers in their stores.

This is a huge win for sporting goods stores and hunters and anglers who might not be comfortable with using the internet to make online purchases.