Commission approves expansion of fully digital hunting and fishing licenses and clarifies digital tagging rules

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on March 27 voted to expand the agency's digital licensing and tagging program, approving amendments that would make fully digital license options available for all recreational hunting, fishing and combination license types beginning with the 2025–26 license year.

Chris Cerny, business analyst for the wildlife division, told the commission the fully digital program was authorized by House Bill 3081 (2021) and has been piloted since 2022. Cerny said that digital license sales have grown from more than 80,000 in the initial pilot season to over 148,000 so far in the 2024–25 license year, representing roughly 21% of total sales for the eligible license types and more than 60% of online sales for those products.

Staff recommended adopting changes to chapter 53 of the Texas Administrative Code to ensure that existing digital tagging standards apply consistently across an expanded list of digital products. Cerny said the proposal would make 56 recreational licenses, endorsements, tags and permits available digitally and would extend the option to nonresident customers who previously could not obtain some digital products. He emphasized twice that nothing in the rule package would replace paper licenses: "I do want to assure the commission and the public that paper licenses will remain available for all of these license types." (Chris Cerny)

Public comments, Cerny said, were split on the proposal: as of the morning of the meeting 70 commenters had submitted feedback, with about 45% in agreement and 55% disagreeing wholly or in part. Major concerns described by staff included a desire that digital options not supplant paper licenses, confusion among customers and license agents about paper versus digital processes, requirements to attach a handwritten carcass document for digitally tagged deer and turkey, field‑use concerns (no cell service, dead batteries, lost or broken phones), and privacy worries about tracking.

Commissioner Rolling seconded the motion to adopt the chapter 53 amendments. The commission voted by voice; the chair recorded ayes and no opposition. The motion carried. Staff said the changes align with proposed amendments in other chapters that together form the digital licensing and tagging package and that implementation will proceed with the Texas Hunt and Fish mobile app (the rebranded Moab app).