Fish and Game licenses available again by phone

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday that license and tag buyers can again make purchases by telephone starting immediately.

The option to purchase hunting and fishing licenses online and by telephone was removed by Fish and Game officials Aug. 24 after the agency was notified of an attempted breach of the online system.

Fish and Game's online system will remain down indefinitely until a third-party firm certifies the vulnerability has been repaired and the online system is secure.

At Fish and Game’s request, Active Network, the company which owns and operates the licensing system, brought in a third-party cybersecurity firm to investigate.

The investigation is ongoing.

“The cybersecurity experts confirmed that the telephone sales option for purchasing a license or tag is secure,” Fish and Game Administration Chief Michael Pearson said.

It is not known whether license buyer personal information was compromised by the attempted breach, only that it is a possibility. Active Network announced it will send notifications by mail to all license buyers potentially affected. The company says the attempted access affects license buyers who purchased an Idaho Fish and Game license or tag prior to 2008.

Fish and Game will keep the public informed as it continues to discuss next steps with Active Network.

Telephone purchases of hunting and fishing licenses and tags can be made 24 hours a day seven days a week by calling (800) 554-8685.

Buyers who use the telephone option should note it takes 7 to 10 days for licenses and tags arrive by mail. Hunters can also make purchases at any of the 400 businesses throughout Idaho that sell Fish and Game licenses and tags or at Fish and Game regional offices or the headquarters office in Boise.