New Liscense

[Banker In Space]

Bill,

I read somewhere the state is going to a new license system this year which will issue a plastic card instead of the old paper one with "stamps" attached. Supposedly all the info will be loaded onto this card. Any truth to this?

If this has been mentioned before, humble apologies are extended.

[Danny Leigh]

In the March issue of GON they have an article on how the new liscenses will be issued. It seems that a thick paper card similar to the card you get now will be issued. I don't think that it will have stamps on it because it mentioned that you will not have to worry about going to the store and hearing that they just sold their last trout stamp. It mentioned that the lifetime license (which I am planning on getting)would be plastic.

[Ted]

The new system for license sales is called the Georgia On-Line Automated Licensing System (GOALS). It is being implemented starting this month, dealers should be able to sell new licenses for this upcoming season starting on March 8. The selling terminals should be arriving at retailers by this week. It should be a simple, quick system to use. You provide your drivers license (or other form of ID) and purchase the type of hunting and/or fishing license you want. There will be no more of the traditional "stamps". All the types of licenses purchased (fishing, trout stamps, WMA stamps etc..) will be printed on the paper "stub" that you receive from the dealer. It is on heavy, waterproof paper and can be folded up and put in wallet etc...
Oh...BTW..be SURE to write down your license number and keep it in a safe place in case you loose your license. To get a replacement license will require more documentation than in the past.

Also this year, the DNR is beginning to offer lifetime licenses. These will be permanent plastic cards (I think). They are sold on a sliding fee scale based on the age of the holder. I don't have all the specifics, but it will be a good value if one is purchased for a child when they are still young. Don't hold me to the price, but they would be set for life for like $200 (if purchased by age 2). Call the DNR for more details (it is also going to be in the new reg books due out soon).
That is my contribution on this topic. I apologize for the length...and any bad spelling.

[Banker In Space]

Thanks for the answers guys!

[The Ole Man]

Ted
Thanks for the info. Wish GA would go to a more decorative type license and maybe even a metal pin to be worn while fishing. In other states that have these, they become quite collectible and today on ebay you find them in the auction from the 1930's 40's and 50's. They bring handsome prices and are much sort after. Just a thought for the future.

[jeffg]

I will miss the stamps you had to adhere to your lisc. In MD it was always a treat to see what trout and what scene they put on their stamps, same way with most other places. NC had the "plastic" lisc and no longer do stamps.

I will miss them. The artistry that went into them were usually pretty *****good.

[Bill Couch]

I called the license unit, and requested information on the lifetime license, but it hasn't arrived as of this post. I am reasonably sure lifetime licenses for residents will be:

Age: younger than 2: $200
2 to 15 $350
16 to 65 $500.

They will be good for life, despite future residency. The license will be the equivalent of a Sportsman's License (now $60.00/year). The new lifetime license will also allows you to hunt and fish anything anywhere on public land (WMA's included). The only additional "license" you'll need is the annual Federal Duck stamp to hunt waterfowl. I believe there are provisions for getting the state waterfowl stamp.

[Bill Couch]

To all:
More Information on the New Lifetime License. This is straight from the press release and doesn't look like it will format perfectly, but the information is here.
Bill

Lifetime License for Georgia Sportsmen and Women

Lifetime licenses for resident hunters and anglers cost:
$200 for infants under age two*
$350 for people between the ages of 2 - 15*
$500 for people age 16 and older

* Children must be under age 2 or under age 15 on April 1, 1999 in order to qualify for the less expensive license.

Lifetime licenses COVER:
All Sport Hunting and Fishing Licenses Waterfowl License
Big Game License Wildlife Management Area Stamp
Archery License Trout License

Lifetime licenses must obtain:
Federal Duck Stamp ($15 - available at all U.S. Post Offices)
Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit (free from any license agent)
Annual Deer Harvest Record (deer tags) (free from any license agent)

Lifetime licenses only can be purchased from:
Wildlife Resources Division License Unit
Wildlife Resources Division Offices
Mail-in Applications

Lifetime licenses are valid for the life of the person, even if they move out of Georgia.

Lifetime licenses that are lost or stolen can be replaced for a $10 charge.

Proceeds from the sale of lifetime licenses will be placed into the Wildlife Endowment Fund. The principal and interest of this fund can only be used for the conservation and management of wildlife and fisheries resources and the acquisition of habitat upon which such resources are dependent.

Senior license holders (65 years or older) can purchase the colorful lifetime license card for a $10 processing fee. There is no charge for the regular senior license that can be obtained from any license dealer.

Hunters and anglers must be a resident of Georgia for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for the lifetime license. Applications must be accompanied by one or more of the following proofs of residency**:

Infant: Certified copy of the birth certificate and documentation of the parents' Georgia residence, as described under the "Adult" section.

Youth: Certified copy of the birth certificate, and documentation showing the parents' Georgia residence, as described under the "Adult" section.

Adult: Georgia driver's license, military identification card or official Georgia identification card (issued through the Department of Public Safety) and one of the following: (1) Georgia Income Tax Form or G-2 Form from the previous year; (2) Georgia voter registration card; (3) current Georgia automobile registration; (4) warranty deed to property named on photo identification.

Senior: Proof of age (Georgia driver's license, state identification card, copy of birth certificate, etc.).

** Applications received by mail must be accompanied by photocopies of the documents listed above.