Grace period for expired 2014-15 license holders ended Sunday, Broussard says
The computer glitch that affected the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ fishing license sales over the long 4th of July weekend has been fixed, and enforcement agents statewide will once again be making sure everyone has an up-to-date 2015-16 license.
“Everything is up and running and it’s business as usual,” Col. Joseph Broussard, head of LDWF’s enforcement division, said on Monday. “The system is back up and everybody should be able to purchase a license. You can do it in person, on a smart phone or with a phone call – whichever way you want to do it.”
Trouble started with the system last Thursday as anglers renewed their licenses that expired on June 30 before heading out for the long holiday weekend, which prompted Broussard to honor 2014-15 licenses through Sunday.
The author waited at the Wal-Mart in New Iberia for more than an hour Friday morning. Some licenses were granted and went through the system, while others didn’t.
The computer vendor on the phone would take up to five people’s information per call and grant those licenses, and then the Wal-Mart representative had to hang up and wait on hold for another hour before five more people’s information could be given.
Despite the glitch, the number of licenses sold over the holiday weekend was up compared to 2014, he said.
“As far as the information we got this morning, we actually sold a little over a hundred licenses more this year than we did last year,” Broussard said.
To purchase your fishing license online, click here.
