Montana Is Changing How You Purchase Hunting And Fishing Licenses

Have you ever tried to buy a hunting or fishing license in Montana at a local sporting goods store, only to have the system not work? I don't know if I just had bad luck, but over the past few years I ran into it constantly. Systems down. Being told to try another store or just do it on the app. It is frustrating.

That frustration has not gone unnoticed. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is rolling out a new solution that is designed to make in-person license sales 'easier', more reliable, and more widely available across the state.

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Starting March 1, FWP is launching its new License Ambassador program.

"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the License Ambassador program allows more retailers to offer licensing services without the need for specialized, outdated hardware." - Montana FWP

For hunters and anglers, the big win is access. For businesses, it is simpler to get set up and easier to manage. But...

The more I dug into the details, the more I realized this rollout is probably going to ruffle a few feathers.

From what I can tell, this is not the old setup where you walk up to the counter, give the clerk your information, and they handle everything for you. Instead, participating businesses will have a designated computer or tablet station inside their store. Customers will use that device to access FWP’s online licensing system and complete the purchase themselves.

That could absolutely help folks who do not have reliable internet at home or who are not comfortable navigating the system alone. At the same time, I can already hear the grumbling. A lot of longtime hunters and anglers are used to personal service at the counter, not a self-serve kiosk.

There are a couple other changes that may catch people off guard. Cash and checks will not be accepted at these ambassador locations. If you want to pay that way, you will have to visit an official FWP office. On top of that, there is a small processing fee when using a credit or debit card through the system. CHECK OUT ALL DETAILS HERE.

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I will be honest, some of these updates are not my favorite either. But to be fair, the old system had its share of headaches too. It will be interesting to see how this plays out across the state. What do you think? Let us know HERE.

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