WEST FARGO – When it comes to phone apps, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the next generation. I’m at best the past generation and hopefully not the lost generation. While I admit I do enjoy having access to all of the Game and Fish Department information on my mobile device, I’m much more comfortable on my desktop and laptop if needed.

In full transparency, I’ve yet to buy my hunting and fishing license on the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department app. Until right now. But like the rest of you, I’ve been buying my license electronically for longer than I care to remember.

First things first. If you haven’t bought your new fishing license, it was required April 1. I’d encourage you to give it a try on the app. As I type, I’m doing exactly what I’m asking you to consider.

First thing I notice is the localized sunrise, sunset and wind. No matter if you hunt or fish, where we live the weather is front of mind.

Next, I tapped on “buy and apply.”

While I have an online profile, I forgot I have a new phone since my last Game and Fish license purchase and need to log in my personal profile.

I typed in my name, date of birth and reminded myself there are two Doug Leiers and thought of all the times we’ve had mixed up information. I’m thankful my last name isn’t Larson, Olson, Anderson or Horner. But that’s also credit to the system, which uses a combination of personal identification to make sure the correct person is logging in.

Again, I tap “buy and apply” and slide down to the option for choosing who I’m buying for – my dad and daughter – which is a nice, saved option to reduce tapping information each time.

I click on proof of residency and verify current contact information, and I’m into my options for licenses, the combination or “sportsmen” license, as most know it.

A series of questions to become Harvest Information Program-certified follows; an option to subscribe to North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine is the next step and then a question about donating to the Private Land Open To Sportsman (PLOTS) program.

After a short fishing survey, trapping question and acknowledgement of electronic posting, I’m already at the checkout within minutes.

I’ll be honest. It took me longer to find my wallet than it did to tap in my credit card information, even with bifocals on top of my head.

One mistake on a number and it highlighted the box I needed to go back and correct before continuing to payment.

The credit card was processed, the license activated and an email received, acknowledging my purchase.

The next choice was to save it on my phone in an easy to find place. I printed off a copy for my wallet and another for the glove box in my Yukon. I might photocopy one for my office desk and put one in my tackle box.

All said and done, it took me less than 10 minutes to do the entire process.

Are you ready? Yes you are. If I can do it, so can you. If not, there’s a list of 80 license vendors –

gf.nd.gov/licensing/retail-license-vendors

– where you can purchase your license.

Doug Leier is an outreach biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Reach him at dleier@nd.gov.