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Q1: A:
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What is a WIN card and do I need one?
A WIN Card is a Wildlife Identification Number.
Anglers and hunters must purchase a Wildlife Identification Number (WIN) card before purchasing any licence, wildlife certificate or hunting draw application.
The card is valid for five years and functions like a credit card at the point-of-sale, confirming your eligibility for a licence within seconds.
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| Q2: A: |
Who manages the Recreational Electronic Licensing Management (RELM) system and why?
IBM manages the online system AlbertaRELM, allowing private businesses the opportunity to provide public services.
The management of fish and wildlife is a complex business requiring as much information as possible about the resources and the people who use them. The automated licensing system provides current and accurate information about anglers and hunters, while also providing better licensing services.
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| Q3: A: |
How do I get a WIN card?
You must complete an application form including a small fee at a private licence issuer.
The vendor issues the new WIN on a paper receipt, and licences or draw applications can also be purchased at that time. A permanent WIN card will be mailed to you within six weeks.
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| Q4: A: |
Who are the private licence issuers?
Private licence issuers are stores, gas stations, and other retail locations throughout the province:
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| Q5: A: |
Do I use the same WIN card to purchase fishing and hunting licences?
Yes. The same WIN is used for purchasing both recreational fishing and hunting licences.
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| Q6: A: |
What do the licences and tags look like?
Licences look like a cash register receipt that lists the holder's name, address and the appropriate licensing information.
Tags look similar to a ski-lift ticket that uses a wire to attach to the animal.
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| Q7: A: |
Do non-residents need a WIN card?
Yes. Anyone who requires an Alberta fishing licence needs a WIN card. The number is issued at the time of purchase so that there is no delay in receiving a licence.
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| Q8: A: |
Do youths (less than 16 years of age) and seniors (greater than 64 years of age) need a WIN card to fish?
No. Since regulations do not require youths under 16 years of age, seniors age 65 and older who are Alberta residents, and First Nations people to have a sport fishing licence for fishing, they do not need to purchase a WIN card.
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Do I have to take a hunter education course before getting a WIN card?
No. Successfully completing a conservation and hunter education course (or passing a hunter-competency test) is required only for first-time hunters applying for a hunting licence (if such hunters have not passed such a course or test elsewhere and are not non-residents accompanied by a licensed guide). Anyone who applies and pays $8.00 is eligible for a WIN card.
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| Q10: A: |
How do I change my mailing address and personal information on the WIN?
You can update your information in any of the following ways:
Change your personal information online:
Fill out a WIN Application and Change of Information form:
Telephone the IBM AlbertaRELM Help Desk:
- Toll-free in North America: 1-888-944-5494
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| Q11: A: |
How are replacement licences and tags being handled?
If you lose a licence, you can go to any authorized licence issuer and purchase a reprint of the licence for a small fee.
If you lose a licence tag, you must go to a Fish and Wildlife Division office and fill out a statutory declaration form explaining the details of the lost tag.
After the licensing system authorizes a replacement, you can then go to any authorized licence issuer and purchase the replacement tag for a small fee.
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| Q12: A: |
How do Fish and Wildlife Officers use this system?
The system allows Fish and Wildlife Officers to confirm licences in the field, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, against the database in Edmonton, even if the licence was purchased on the same day.
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| Q13: A: |
I haven’t received my WIN card yet. How long does it take or whom should I contact?
Your permanent WIN card is mailed to you within a few weeks.
If you haven’t received your card after four weeks of your purchase date, make sure to have your paper receipt, which includes the WIN number you received at the time of purchase, and contact the IBM AlbertaRELM Help Desk:
- Toll-free in North America: 1-888-944-5494
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| Q14: A: |
How do I renew my WIN card?
WIN cards are valid for five years. When it expires, you can renew it at any private licence issuer for a small fee. Your renewed card is valid for five years. You can renew your card as many times as you would like.
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| Q15: A: |
Whom do I contact to get my WIN card reinstated after it was suspended by Maintenance Enforcement?
Maintenance Enforcement removes the suspension once the WIN card holder has made payment arrangements.
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