The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is set to launch a new digital hunting and fishing licensing system in June.
The modernized platform officially goes live on June 9.
Director for the Fish and Wildlife Division Kelly Straka says it's an answer to a request they have been getting for years, and it won't be replacing Minnesotan's choice to get a paper licence.
"That's important to recognize is that we're not abandoning that," Straka explains. "I think that's really valuable partnerships across the state and a lot of people love that. Again, it's a tradition. We also heard for many years that we want other ways, right? People want to be able to buy things on their smartphones if they want to do that."
The state's existing 25-year-old system will shut down for a week on June 1 to migrate data, but Straka says traditional in-person paper licenses will remain an option alongside the new system.
That also means anglers may fish without a license from Tuesday, June 2, through Monday, June 8, during a pause in the DNR's licensing system. All other fishing season regulations and bag limits will remain in effect.
Spring turkey season ends Sunday, May 31, and turkey hunters who harvest a bird on the last day of the season must register their harvest before the end of the day on Monday, June 1.
"One of our primary goals is to make sure that it's easier for Minnesotans across the state to connect to the outdoors," adds Straka. "If you want to buy your license on your smartphone or if you just want to do it online, we'll be able to basically meet those needs."
She says while his initial rollout focuses on hunter and anglers, they are preparing to transition more than 400 total permit and license products to the platform by the end of the year.
