The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced this week they are adjusting how married anglers and hunters can buy combination licenses.  A news releasee from the agency states both members of the married couple need to be present at the sales location starting today (February 18, 2021).

Both spouses are now required to be present and provide identification.  That is not required when you vote in Minnesota.

Seve Michaels, licensing program director says, "These changes will bring the DNR into compliance with state and federal laws that require collecting this information for angling or hunting license sales.  The information helps prevent licenses being sold to people with violations or unpaid fines."

He adds, "Customers will continue to pay the same price for combination licenses, which are discounted compared with purchasing two individual licenses.  When purchasing a combination license in person, both spouses must be present, and, if age 21 or older, also must provide their current Minnesota driver's licenses or identification cards."

If both spouses are not present, the person present may purcahse their part of the license and their spouse may obtain their license at a later date at no additional charge.  If a spouse does not have a record on file with the DNR, that spouse can create one with their full name, birth date, social security number.  If they are a Minnesota resident age 21 or older, they also will need a current Minnesota driver's license or current Minnesota identification card.

New resident customer records for people age 21 and over cannot be created online.

Michaels says, "Thank you to all our license purchasers for patience adjusting to these changes and for buying a license.  Your license dollars pay for a great deal of DNR conservation work and leverage more federal funding that supports hunting and fishing opportunities and habitat work."

The news release outlines the following DNR married combination licenses:

  • Angling, valid for fishing.
  • Conservation angling, valid for half the possession limit, per spouse
  • Sports, valid for fishing for both spouses, small game for one spouse, includes two state trout stamps, and waterfowl and pheasant stamps for one spouse.  It also offers the choice of a firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer license for one spouse,
  • Family nonresident angling, valid for one or both parents and dependent children under age 16.

I guess I scratch my bald head that these really aren't combination licenses for both spouses when only one spouse is granted for example small game and both can fish.

The news release concludes.

You can create your own record anywhere DNR licenses are sold, or call the DNR license center at 877-348-0498 or 651-297-1230 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More information about purchasing licenses , including license agen locations is available on the DNR website.

Questions about licenses can be directed to the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, or via email at info.dnr@state.mn.us.

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