SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s licence vendors have been given a little leeway to transition into the new online Hunting, Trapping and Angling Licence (HAL) system and can still sell paper licences for the rest of 2013.
Over the last several years, the ministry of environment has consulted with hunters, anglers, trappers and issuers and found that the current system is outdated, costly and needs to be modernized.
Hunting data was often two years behind and no angling data was available at all. The absence of this data constrains management and restricts effective enforcement.
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“We are taking a decades-old paper system and moving it online and there have been a few growing pains this spring,” said Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff.
Prior to automating the system, there were around 600 licence issuers in Saskatchewan. Initial numbers showed only 239 issuers signed up and trained to sell with the new system.
Enthusiasts can already access the licensing system via the internet, get their personal HAL number, buy and print licences.
Hunters can also purchase licences through private issuers, the ministry of environment, select provincial park offices or by calling 1-855-848-4773.
By 2014, only vendors who adopt the new electronic system will be able to issue paper licences to customers.
According to the ministry of environment, each year it issues over 355,000 hunting and angling licences, contributing about $40 million to the GDP.
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