End of free fishing, hunting licenses statewide

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s free fishing days ended yesterday, but at least anglers and hunters can take comfort in knowing their personal information is now secure. The department resumed the sale of fishing and hunting licenses, as well as the state Discover Passes, on Saturday after temporarily suspending the sale of the licenses due to a breach in an outside vendor’s security system.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s free fishing days ended yesterday, but at least anglers and hunters can take comfort in knowing their personal information is now secure.

The department resumed the sale of fishing and hunting licenses, as well as the state Discover Passes, on Saturday after temporarily suspending the sale of the licenses due to a breach in an outside vendor’s security system. The state Office of Cyber Security worked with the vendor to secure their customers’ personal information, which was threatened last Wednesday. Information was exploited in various states, including Oregon and Idaho.

With license sales resumed, all anglers and hunters using department facilities are required to carry the appropriate licenses, endorsements and passes.

Customers are able to purchase those items by calling the department’s licensing customer service number at (360) 902-2464.