It's simple. The bank charges my credit card processing 1.9% to 2.9%. The reward cards are always closer to 3% CC processing fee, which everyone has these days. Then someone has to put your product into an envelope to ship it, or a big fancy machine does it (expensive). Then there's a shipping charge, whether it be $0.47 or whatever the cost, it's still a cost.

There still is a 3% processing fee, labor to package it, and cost to ship it. These costs are not there if you walk up into a store to buy your license. This is the same with my business. It costs less if you buy ammo in person. I would think that would make sense.

Card fee and employee fee is still same as in store, shipping I get, sure. Most places offer free shipping or roll it into the price to get more outside customers. Most things are going to online and less overhead with an actual store, and aren't beating their customer base down with "convenience fees."

Selling the license in a store is an incentive to draw in customers. Not many people walk into Academy to buy a license and don't walk out with something else.

Agree with that for sure. Biggest 2 draws for in store purchase is immediate satisfaction of receiving the product instantly, and buying other stuff you don't need.

Don't forget the cost of the development and maintenance of the online web system is substantial. And you know how that works, they aren't absorbing it... passed on to the customer.

Well...if TPWD makes a few extra cents off me, I'm OK with that. They do a remarkably excellent job of maintaining Texas wildlife resources.

Got my Super Combo ordered, HIP certification, Federal Stamp and Sandhill permit but couldn't find the teal tags. Are they included in the super combo?

No you have to mail in a letter that is notarized and sent via certified mail.

Just pulled mine out of the Mailbox. Ordered Tuesday and here on Friday. I doubt I ever buy it any other way but online.

You don't have to wait at the store if you don't put off going till the last minute. I have been in and out quick enough. If I were still in the employed world where my time was limited, the online purchase would be great.

There is a nice lady that works at the Academy in Mesquite. We went in last year to get our license (me and my 3 sons who are all adult age now). She remarked how she has watched us over the years coming in to her store and getting are stuff. Over 15 years now.

So I guess its a tradition now to get our license and shells at Mesquite Academy .

Carters Country has plenty of dove tags (and teal tags too). I got mine this week!

Happened to be by a TP&W office so I pulled in. Out the door in less than 5 min.

Online is very convenient...worth my $5 extra to make sure exactly everything I need is on there the first time. Plus it costs a lot of money to pay for a system like that to be setup correctly and securely.

That's a third party right? It's not a tpwd address. I bet none of that $5 goes to tpwd.

Just got back from academy, no line, in and out. Not sure why everyone rushes to get it day 1. Any of you guys campout night before?

Got it

I get everything from academy. went last night with one of my sons and got everything...including shells.

Got mine last night at a Wally World. Aren't you supposed to be asked how many dove (and some other birds which I don't hunt) you shot the previous year?

I know the dove tags have a white wing on them. Are they just for white wings or do you need them for mourning also?

Yes. It should say "HIP Certified" on your license.

"No person shall hunt migratory game birds in this state unless that person is certified in the Harvest Information Program (HIP) in Texas. When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions."

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdo...d-certification

That's what I thought.....I got the Super Combo as I said, It's HIP certitified, but he never asked me anything....

On the HIP Certification, if the retailer doesn't ask you have to tell them.
If your license doesn't say HIP Certified and the GW checks you while hunting migratory birds it's a big ticket; even if it's 'not your fault'. Go back to where you got your license and demand that they redo it, if they won't call TPWD on them.

Some retailers just make up numbers without asking just to speed it up.

I think if you have the State Migratory bird stamp it covers everything in Texas.


I went to Academy here in Greenville on Saturday and got to be the teaching moment again this year. Manager was training a new girl on licenses and I was the first Lifetime License they had so far.
$28.50 for a Fed Duck Stamp and out the door.

Do you think TPWD takes the HIP information seriously?