Voluntary Tracking of Recreational Hunting and Fishing is Failing

To go fishing or hunting recreationally, you are licensed through the State Fish and Wildlife agencies which are loosely monitored through seasonal catch sheets turned in at the end of the season on the honor system.

Recreational entities pay a minimal licensing fee each year to the State and are asked to report their activity on paper catch records at the end of each season when fishing or with some hunted species with a minimum fine (as little as $10) when renewing their license if they fail to report. Hunting licenses tend to cost more but there is little if any reporting other than when stopped by gaming officials or voluntarily submitting hunter reports online.

The current voluntary nature of reporting with very little penalty for not complying creates an environment ripe for the over-harvesting of limited resources in every state, globally.

Our system addresses the problem of overfishing and overhunting, enables tracking and removal of derelict gear in our waterways, and is key to identifying, tracking, and removing invasive species.

We do this by helping recreationalists convert from the failing honor system that may or may not report accurate data at the end of each season to a near real time mobile reporting service that helps them track all catch, kill, harvest, and release data with pinpoint location accuracy. This includes timestamps, GPS locations, and all of the data needed to help the tribal, commercial, and State agencies better sustain, manage, and enforce the harvesting of limited resources so future generations can continue to enjoy fishing and hunting as we do.

Recreationalists benefit by having the status of their license real time, hunting zones, limits, maps, and the satisfaction of helping manage the resources they love. Our system provides the ability to track where and when they found that great hunting spot or fishing hole and it gives them the ability to share their big days (without giving away their secrets), earn badges and rewards, and compete in contests and competitions, all while sustaining the life they love.

As an added benefit, the application allows for reporting of invasive species, rogue animals, and derelict gear or dump sites that ruin our natural resources and clog or destroy our waterways.

Participating as co-management partners, recreationalist using our system help State, Tribal, and Commercial entities see the patterns of recreational activities and harvest rates. This allows for making daily informed choices on areas to open/close during the year and on how to manage resources during the season instead of waiting until the end of the season to assess the damage.

This service helps increase awareness within the hunting and fishing industries and promotes preservation of our natural resources. Everyone benefits from promoting planned harvest, removing derelict gear and invasive species, and the long-term preservation of a way of life.