The state of Ohio values its natural resources, and for over a decade the Ohio Division of Wildlife has been implementing code to maintain the highest quality and service in hunting, trapping and angling. The division’s first step in electronic products and services came in 1999, when they automated the hunting and fishing sales system, known as “Point of Sale” (POS). In 2004, the Division began offering hunting and fishing licenses on the internet. In an effort to keep up with the developing technology, they offered online controlled hunt submissions in 2005. Currently, the ODNR is working to install a new licensing system to replace the POS system, which is becoming outdated.
Falling Behind
With 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses sold annually, and about 1,300 licensing agents statewide, Ohio is an established hotbed for hunting and fishing. The current POS system was implanted with a life expectancy of 5-7 years. 11 years later, this software system is failing and becoming increasingly unreliable. The customer’s experience in Ohio is beginning to feel the negative effect of the expiring system. Currently, when a license is purchased in a store or online, the purchase generally does not register for as many as two weeks. During those two weeks, it becomes a hassle for both you and a game warden if asked to verify proof that you’ve purchased a license.
The Solution
The Wild Ohio Customer Relationship Management System (WOCRMS) is the next step in providing Ohio’s sportsmen and women with updated services that make the outdoors as accessible, fair, and user-friendly as possible. It integrates 9 different business areas into a single database so that 21st century conveniences are delivered to the customers. With this new technology in place, all transactions (license sales, game checks, etc.) will occur in real time, as the entire system will be internet based. Law Enforcement Officers in the field will have remote access to all of this real time data, allowing them to check licenses and respond to daily issues as quickly and effectively as possible. Most importantly, perhaps, is that WOCRMS is a responsible use of sportsmen’s dollars. There is no anticipated increase in license fees, and customer service will improve immensely.
The goal of the ODNR is to have the WOCRMS system completely phased-in on March 1, 2011. If you have further questions regarding WOCRMS, or any other wildlife concern, contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 2045 Morse Rd., Building G, Columbus, OH 43229-6693. You can also reach the Division of Wildlife by calling toll-free to 1-800-WILDLIFE.
Benefits of the New System
- License sales and game-check transactions would be performed in real time and available during the holidays when many sales outlets are closed
- Would allow biologists and law enforcement to electronically gather data to manage wildlife and enforce Ohio’s hunting regulations.
- Will save hunters and anglers on fuel costs, time, and frustrations with closed license sales outlets/check stations, which equates to more time in the field!
Created by the Ohio Legislature in 1949, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) owns and manages more than 590,000 acres of land including 74 state parks, 20 state forests, 134 state nature preserves and 138 wildlife areas. Under the Division of Wildlife, all revenue is used to preserve and protect Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of all Ohioans.
