New Licensing Changes In 2000

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Hunters and anglers purchasing Conservation Licenses and licenses obtained through most special drawings will need, by law, to furnish one new piece of information in 2000 - their Social Security number. Senate Bill 76, passed by the 1999 Montana State Legislature, requires Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to obtain a Social Security number from resident and nonresident license applicants - including youth - beginning this year.

"Parents, when purchasing a license for a young person, will need to remember to bring the youngster’s Social Security number with them," Ron Aasheim, a FWP spokesman, said. "That may be one of the biggest adjustments for people."

The law adopted by the Montana State Legislature brings Montana into compliance with federal law intended to help improve child support collection efforts. Some other state license applications already require a Social Security number - for example, occupational licenses and commercial driver licenses. The purpose is to improve data the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) uses to locate and positively identify individuals who are delinquent in their child support payments. Delinquent child support totals around $180 million in Montana, according to the DPHHS.

State Parks Passports and other recreational permits such as the Smith River permit are not included under the new state law.

Also beginning March 1, 2000 a new $5 Warm Water Fish Stamp will be required to possess warm water game fish caught on designated waters. The stamp, established in a law passed by the 1999 Montana State Legislature, will help fund a new multi-species fish hatchery near Fort Peck Dam. Resident and nonresident anglers (except youth under 15, seniors and disabled anglers) will need the new stamp. For details and a list of the waters requiring the Warm Water Fish Stamp, check the 2000-2001 Fishing Regulations on pages 34 and 61.

According to Aasheim, FWP is in the process of notifying nonresident hunters and anglers of these changes through direct mailings, stories in national publications and other routes.