Link to new post, August 17, 2017, Wisconsin Collector Stamps; How to order

Update August 23/ 2016 – Wisconsin 2016 Fall Turkey Permits are available
Updated March 21, 2016, See here for how it worked on the first day of leftover turkey tag sales.

Wisconsin DNR has almost completed the testing on the new Go Wild site.  This is where we will be purchasing license and permits for the upcoming 2016 hunting and fishing seasons starting early next week.

Scroll down for previous  updates

Here’s what’s new

• Deer and bear hunters will no longer be issued back tags.  Governor Walker signed the bill eliminating the back tag requirement.  It passed the legislature with over whelming bipartisan support.
• All outdoor license and permits will be purchased via Go Wild.

License and permits

• Stored on a Wisconsin driver license.  Accomplished automatically for online purchases.  License vendors will swipe the driver license to load your purchases onto your license.
• Don’t want to use your driver license? Purchase the new $3.50 Conservation Card.  This card will be collectible with a new card each year.  Made of plastic like a credit card.
• Keep copies of license on your smart phone.
• Print paper copies either on your printer or at the license vendor.

Carcass tags will no longer be required to be attached to the harvested game.  We will keep the tags in our pocket.  After harvest, write the date and time on the tag.  If cell connection is available in the area you may immediately register your harvest. In any case, hunters are required to carry a hard copy of their license/tag.    Once registered a validated tag can be printed which will have the registration number on it and kept until all meat is consumed.

Update 3/16/16 – Some are concerned if you decide to carry your license on your cell phone and hand it to a warden or other law enforcement officer for license verification; they will be able to search it.  I posed this question to Administrative Warden  Matthew O’Brien.  Here is his reply;

In using the term “search”, I assume you are implying looking at things beyond the license documentation, such as photos or text messages.

A warden’s ability to conduct a 4^th amendment search of an electronic device is the same now as it was before; absent consent, both substantive and procedural prongs of the constitutional protections would need to be satisfied before a search could lawfully occur.

So the mere fact that you are lawfully exhibiting your license on an electronic device will not automatically permit a search of your phone’s contents.  No different than exhibiting your driver’s license on a traffic stop does not permit an officer to automatically search the wallet from where the license emerged.

 

The convenience fee is now whatever the credit card company charge is, that should be less than the old $3.00 charge.  If you pay with the routing and account number of your checking account there is no fee.

License vendors will continue to receive 50 cents for each license they issue and 15 cents for each stamp sold.  The vendors rely on us to buy other things while purchasing our licenses.

When the Go Wild system opens for business.  You will need to create an account with user name and password.  Once this is done you can log in without entering all of your personal data.

 

Update March  14, 2016, 9:38 pm: Go Wild site is still not up and running even though Secretary Stepp radio commercials were being broadcast on many AM stations today.  It’s critical the Go Wild site is flawlessly running by March 21st because this is the start of 2016 Spring Turkey OTC  Permits go on sale. First come first serve basis.

DNR personal have given me assurance that a backup plan is set just in case.  What is that plan entail?  Glad you asked.  Remember the old telephone call in system.  Yeah, the one where we call in repeatedly trying to get past the busy signal and when that’s accomplished wait on hold for your turn.  Ugh.  Make sure your phone battery is well charged.  In person, license vendors will not be sell permits unless the Go Wild system is up and running.

Update March 15, 2016, Wisconsin Go Wild site is not active yet. I found this page on WDNR. Just a little more information to study while we wait.  For those who plan to buy a leftover spring turkey permit understanding the new licensing process and navigation is paramount.

Go WildProve it

The new Go Wild system secures your license, permits, state stamps and hunter safety education information online which can be accessed through a variety of items including your original paper document, a paper reprint, an optional conservation card, your authenticated Wisconsin driver’s license, or a department-generated PDF displayed on your electronic device – no more worries about losing your one and only copy. Depending on which item you choose to use, you will have access to all of these records. Please note all forms of proof are NOT acceptable for all types of authorizations – see tables for details.

Update March 17, 2016, 8:00 AM: GoWild.wi.gov is up and looks good on my mobile device.  Will purchase conservation patron license later.

Update March 17, 2016, 10:56 AM:  Began the signup process.  Easy to follow the screens through the conservation patron license application for 2016 fall turkey, 2017 spring turkey, hip, goose, fisher, otter, &  sturgeon.

Antlerless tags did not display, nor did any of the stamps;  pheasant, turkey, trout.  This provided an opportunity to contact WDNR customer service.

Called the DNR service phone number and clicked for the chat, connected to a rep in about 6 minutes for the chat line and received answers to all my questions. There is no print selection on the chat box so if you want a transcript you’ll need to print screen.  The phone stayed on hold listening to music and WDNR promos for a little over 11 minutes.  The chat was significantly faster than the phone call.  For help during the spring turkey, OTC sale go for the chat.  Actually, I’d do both just in case.

Learned the antlerless tags will be mailed when they become available. This is different, in the past, those were printed at the time of CP purchase.   The conservation patron license includes all the stamps so they’re not printed out on the receipt separately. The conservation card does not come up as an option to buy until clicking the “featured product. If you desire the conservation card it can be purchased later.   If a resident all your purchases are automatically connected to your driver license.  NR will need to keep an e-copy or paper.

If speed is important at the start of the turkey OTC tag sales make sure you register in the new GoWild system and set up a username and password.  This takes a few extra minutes.

Using a credit card will cost 1.75% of total sale.  Conservation license card fee was $2.89 that’s a little less than the old $3 convenience.  The big saving will be for each OTC turkey tag, fee 18 cents for residents.  If you really want to save on the “conveniences” then use a checking account by providing the bank’s routing number and bank account number.

A hat tip to the WDNR on the new Go Wild system is intuitive and easy to understand.  It is hosted on the main Wisconsin state government computer system with, what appears to be the same payment process backbone as the state revenue department.   You actually leave the Go Wild side to make a payment.   I practiced navigating through the system a few times in order to be ready for the turkey sale.  Got to stay in shape you know.  Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments here.