In December of 2011 the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife activated it's new "all electronic" license sales system called MassFishHunt. For several years now Mass Wildlife has offered license sales on-line. Due to the increased use of the internet and a need to simplify the licensing system Mass Wildlife went ahead with it's all electronic system for 2012. But what does this mean for you? I dug a little deeper to find out.

     For those that don't have access to the internet you need not panic! You will still be able to purchase a license at your local retail store or at a D.F.W. office. When you purchase your license at one of these locations it will be printed and will list all pertinent information including stamps for primitive firearms, archery etc. The difference is you won't actually get a stamp, but the purchase will be listed on your license among items purchased. Upon purchasing your license from these locations your information will automatically be inputted into the computer system.

     For those that have already purchased licenses on-line or will in the future nothing has changed in regard to the purchase of the license.

     There are changes for 2012 in reporting and sealing game. Now you will have the option of checking in your deer, turkeys, black bear or fur-bearers on-line. Simply log into the Mass Wildlife website and follow the simple steps for checking in game. You may be asked some species specific questions such as the beard length of a turkey or whether or not it's a juvenile or adult. For deer the on-line reporting system will be available for archery and primitive firearms season only. Shotgun deer season will require all deer taken to be checked in at an official check in station. You can also choose to check in all of your game at an official check in station instead of the on-line system. This on-line check in system will be more efficient for the D.F.W. as they will have better access to crucial species information with the click of a mouse.

     If you have any additional questions I will try to answer what I can or contact the D.F.W. directly.