State changes retail tech for hunting, fishing permits

In the news

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Hunters, anglers, and trappers in Missouri have been buying permits online through the Missouri Department of Conservation website since 2011 and through the free MDC Mo Hunting mobile app since 2014.

Convenience stores, sporting goods shops, and other retail locations that sell permits will catch up to this online technology starting March 15.

On that date, retailers will switch from selling the familiar plastic-backed, rectangular, yellow permits to paper permits. They will also stop producing permits using a special machine connected to a telephone and start using a regular Internet-connected computer and printer.

“The most noticeable change for permit buyers will be that permits bought from vendors will be printed on a regular sheet of paper instead of the familiar plastic-backed, yellow tag,” said MDC Permit Services Supervisor Nathan Bess.

“These paper permits from permit sellers will be the same as the ones people have been buying online since 2011.”

Another change — and a welcome one for permit buyers — will be the absence of processing fees.

“With the old permit system the third-party provider charged permit buyers a $1 convenience fee for each transaction,” Bess said. “Permit buyers will now save a few dollars because there are no processing fees when you buy permits either directly online or from a permit seller.”

Bess said that the move to online permit sales was prompted by the need to replace outdated technology.

“Selling permits using the old phone-based system compared to online permit sales is like sending someone a message using a fax machine compared to an email or text,” he said. “Online permit sales are more convenient, current, and reliable for both sellers and buyers.”

He added that MDC staff started letting permit vendors know about the switch three years ago so they would have plenty of time to prepare.

“Permit vendors are important to us, and we have been helping them move to the online permit system,” Bess said. “We’ve offered them financial incentives to help them buy any equipment they may need and have also provided plenty of training and support.”

In addition to retail vendors, people can buy permits online at mdc.mo.gov and via their smartphones using the MO Hunting app.

Those using the app don’t need a paper permit at all, and can merely display a downloaded electronic copy as needed.

People can also buy permits by calling 800.392.4115, using a credit card, paying a $1 fee, and waiting a week for permits to arrive by mail.