Government officials may have to change bait if they want to entice fishermen to swallow a plan to privatize hunting and fishing licences.
Under the plan, stores selling hunting and fishing licences must buy a $1,500 computer, similar to a video lottery terminal, and have a dedicated telephone line for the machine.
That means the days are numbered when anglers and hunters are able to pick up a licence at a small country store. Few stores are willing to buy the equipment.
“Our concern is the general public is used to buying a licence on the way out to the lake,” said Andy von Busse, president of the Alberta Fish and Game Association.
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With hunting, there is more planning involved, but von Busse is still concerned the number of outlets selling licences will be cut in half.
Michael Evans, spokesperson for Alberta Environmental Protection, agreed there will be fewer outlets selling fishing and hunting licenses with the new system designed and operated by Information Systems Management Corporation.
There may be only 500 outlets across the province compared with 1,500 now selling the 500,000 licences each year.
But 500 outlets is still more than the 240 private outlets that sell five million vehicle licences and registrations each year, said Evans.
The benefits outweigh the hassles, he said.
An angler’s name and personal information is punched into the machine. The first time the angler would get a plastic card, similar to a bank card, and a history of his licence purchases. Each time after that, the angler or hunter would get a detailed list of previous licence purchases.
The information from the computerized machines will give the government information on hunting and fishing in the province.
“That’s one of the positives. There was virtually no information on the fishing side especially about walleye, pike and perch, which have come under pressure,” said von Busse.
