Again I am blogging about something you might have already seen, but I want to spread the word as much as possible and there is something upon which I especially would like to comment.  So, as I have often done, starting with the news release:

Archery paddlefish applications accepted March 1-14

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications March 1-14.

The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time on March 1. Mail applications must be received in Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. and online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 14.

The application fees are $33 for residents and $57 for nonresidents. Starting this year, $7 of that fee is due at the time of application. The remainder ($26 for residents, $50 for nonresidents) is due, if a permit is awarded, within 15 days of draw notification.

Permits will be issued in a random drawing based on preference points earned; applicants with the most preference points will receive the greatest priority. Any permits remaining following the drawing will be sold on a first-come basis beginning at 1 p.m. on May 1.

An applicant will receive a preference point if he or she is not awarded a permit in the drawing. An additional preference point will be added each year he or she is unsuccessful in the drawing. Any person who is issued a paddlefish permit and any person who does not apply at least once during five consecutive years will lose all accumulated preference points.

Two residents or two nonresidents – may submit a joint application. That application will be assigned to the applicant with the fewest preference points.

A person may have no more than two archery paddlefish permits per year: one earned via application and one bought over the counter. Permits and their accompanying tags are not transferable. Anyone fishing with an archery paddlefish permit also must have a valid Nebraska fish permit.

The 2018 archery paddlefish season is June 1-30. To apply for a permit, visit a Game and Parks office, OutdoorNebraska.org, or use a form in the 2018 Nebraska Fishing Guide.

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Ken Bouc photo, NEBRASKAland Magazine.

In recent years there have been some changes in the application process.  One of those changes is the shorter application period.  No, we did not do that to make it less convenient for applicants.  The shorter application period was mandated by the way credit cards are handled.  With cyber security concerns, there have been a lot of changes in the way business is done, and there will be more changes in the future. . . .

Which brings me to the second thing I specifically want to point out:  Notice especially this portion of the third paragraph of the news release, “Starting this year, $7 of that fee is due at the time of application. The remainder ($26 for residents, $50 for nonresidents) is due, if a permit is awarded, within 15 days of draw notification.”  As with all change, that is going to take some getting used to.

When you apply for your paddlefish permit you will be charged the $7 handling fee.  Then, if you are successful in drawing a permit, you will be notified that you were successful AND you will have to pay the remainder of the permit fee.  Yes, compared to what it has been in the past, this process is going to be pain in the you-know-what.  We are sorry about that, but again that is being dictated by credit card companies and we have no choice but to comply.  So, be patient, it will all work out, but yes, “it was never like that before”.

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Eric Folwer photo, NEBRASKAland Magazine.

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