HARRISBURG - Beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 23, Pennsylvania resident and nonresident hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2008-09 seasons will go on sale through "The Outdoor Shop" on the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), according to Carl G. Roe, agency executive director.  Licenses are available over-the-counter at all Game Commission region offices and the Harrisburg headquarters.

"The Game Commission is working hard to incorporate better ways to serve license buyers," Roe said.  "By allowing our customers to purchase their hunting and furtaker licenses over the Internet, from the comfort and convenience of their home or office, we are offering one more service to meet their needs."

Roe noted that hunting and furtaker licenses also are available from the nearly 850 issuing agents around the state beginning later in June.

To purchase a license, applicants must provide their Social Security Number.  This requirement was implemented by the U.S. Congress and state General Assembly in recent years to better enforce changes to federal and state welfare reform and child support requirements.  For more information, please visit the "Hunting License & SSN" on the Game Commission's website.

As was announced earlier this year, the Game Commission will not be moving forward with the electronic license sales system, commonly referred to as "point-of-sale," because the contractor hired to create this system again failed to meet necessary deadlines. 

"We are not willing to burden our issuing agents and customers by moving forward with a license system that hasn't been fully tested," Roe said.  "We will, however, continue to work to have the system completed.  Once implemented, point-of-sale will make license buying easier for our customers, issuing agents and the Game Commission."

For the 2008-09 license year, all fees are the same as they have been since the 1999-2000 license year, including: $20 for adult hunting or furtaker licenses; $6 for junior hunting or furtaker licenses; and $13 for senior hunting or furtaker licenses.

Combination licenses are available to junior resident and nonresident (12 to 16 years) and senior resident (65 years and older) hunters and furtakers, and were designed to provide youngsters and seniors substantial hunting and trapping opportunities at considerable savings. Combination licenses provide general hunting, furtaker, archery and muzzleloader privileges.  Resident junior combination licenses sell for $9; nonresident junior combination licenses, $51; and resident senior lifetime combination licenses, $101.  Combination licenses do not include bear, antlerless deer, state migratory game bird or federal duck stamp privileges, which must be purchased separately.

Senior lifetime hunting and furtaker licenses can be upgraded to a senior lifetime combination license for $51. To make the upgrade, an individual must visit one of the Game Commission's six regional offices or the Harrisburg headquarters, or "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).