"A visit to the DEP Web site is now more rewarding than ever," Governor Rell said. "From the comfort of your home, you can purchase your hunting and fishing license online or plan a visit and get detailed directions to one of our beautiful state parks or forests. There is no longer any need to mail in a license application or travel somewhere to buy one. We are taking the guess work out of deciding which state park to visit and how to get there."
The new automated online sportsmen's licensing system and the improved state park information are both available on the DEP homepage at www.ct.gov/dep. The state park information and Google mapping directions are also available at www.nochildleftinside.org.
"The new license system makes it simple for hunters and anglers to get the licenses they need to enjoy these activities in our state," Governor Rell said. "In Connecticut, we have a great tradition of sportsmen enjoying the opportunity to hunt and fish in our great outdoors and this new licensing system will encourage more people to participate in these activities."
"The new information and directions on our state parks will also encourage more people to get off their couch and away from their television and computer to spend time in our parks and forests. We've been trying to accomplish this goal through our nationally recognized 'No Child Left Inside' initiative. The new state park Google map feature is yet another incentive we are offering."
"The Governor has challenged all state agencies to find new, innovative and more efficient ways to serve the public -- and the new features on DEP's Web site accomplish just that," DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said. "We sell about 200,000 hunting and fishing licenses a year. Putting this service on line is both more convenient for sportsmen and more efficient for our agency. It gets DEP out of the business of processing reams on paper applications."
State Parks and Forests Google Map Feature
Connecticut's state parks and forests are now showcased on a new DEP Web site feature that provides a full range of information on highlights and activities as well as easy-to-follow Google map directions. Visitors to this Web feature can select parks to "explore" by location or by activity. With a click of their mouse they can find out what is available at each park and they can then ask for a Google map and printed directions to the park of their choice. The Web feature includes information and directions covering the more than 130 state parks and state forests.
"The new Google map feature," Commissioner McCarthy said, "makes it easier than ever to find out where you can go hiking, biking, boating, picnicking or swimming -- and giving you precise directions on how to get to these parks. Connecticut is blessed with an outstanding state park system. We want to do everything we can to help more and more families discover our parks and spend time in them."
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Sportsmen may now purchase Connecticut fishing, hunting, archery, and trapping licenses, and print their actual "official" license in the convenience of their own home, from their own printer - or from any computer with Internet access. The system accepts payment by Visa or Master Card.
Customers can also make online purchases of all specialty permits, tags and stamps for specific species such as deer, turkey, pheasant, and migratory birds and seasons such as spring and fall turkey and deer.
For calendar year 2008, permits, tags, and stamps will be mailed next day to customers that make online purchases using their credit card. Starting in 2009, permits, tags and stamps will be printable from home computers.
DEP also plans a future expansion of this online system to point-of-sale "touch" screens for use at retail outlets and town clerks offices.
