Procedure For 2015/2016 Snowmobile Registration?

[snobuilder]

I interpreted the paragraph that says;

"Trail passes will be available online, through the DNR service centers or at DNR authorized agents"

...meant that you would be walking out of the "service centers" and "authorized agents" with stickers in hand.

 

[garyl62]

I interpreted the paragraph that says;

"Trail passes will be available online, through the DNR service centers or at DNR authorized agents"

...meant that you would be walking out of the "service centers" and "authorized agents" with stickers in hand.

Except that the next sentence says "All trail pass stickers will be sent out by mail"

I still agree there will probably be places to buy passes but there are some questions that need to be clarified.

 

[snobuilder]

Except that the next sentence says "All trail pass stickers will be sent out by mail"

I still agree there will probably be places to buy passes but there are some questions that need to be clarified.

Yes,... it does say that.
That line needs to be clarified, i hope it is refering to the online orders only....but hey.... this is the government here.....not gonna doubt that they'd be making a giant leap backwards and sending ALL trail permits through snail mail only....actually... what is the point of walking into a "service center" or "authorized agent" unless it is in fact to be able to walk out with your permits?

 

[soxfan3]

Yes please ask at the AWSC. I am a flatlander with a sled that is registered in both IL & WI. I am not a WI club member, I am in my local IL club. Can I buy the $30 sticker (non-club member) at gas station like past years on same day or do I have to get it early by mail directly from DNR? Often we have reservations made early in WI, but have to watch snow conditions to make sure it is worth going up for the week. Hate to buy the $30 WI pass early from DNR & then have NWI have bad snow conditions, so we end up in the UP instead (and then pay another $50 to MI).

It would be nice if the "out of state" ($50) sticker and the "WI registered Non-club member" ($30) sticker were available at the 'service centers' (gas stations) like in the past. I think it would sell more stickers too. The "WI registered non-club member" could simply show their sled Registration card for proof to get the $30.

 

[garyl62]

Yes,... it does say that.
That line needs to be clarified, i hope it is refering to the online orders only....but hey.... this is the government here.....not gonna doubt that they'd be making a giant leap backwards and sending ALL trail permits through snail mail only....actually... what is the point of walking into a "service center" or "authorized agent" unless it is in fact to be able to walk out with your permits?

I completely agree with you, if they go back to mailing everything why even have them at those locations? I go to the DNR service center for all my transactions (I'm usually registering a new to me sled so I just renew my other one at the same time) and I always walk out with my stickers. The tough part will be what Soxfan3 is asking, I'm not sure asking them to determine if you qualify for the $30 sticker or the $50 one is the best option.

 

[garyl62]

Yes please ask at the AWSC. I am a flatlander with a sled that is registered in both IL & WI. I am not a WI club member, I am in my local IL club. Can I buy the $30 sticker (non-club member) at gas station like past years on same day or do I have to get it early by mail directly from DNR? Often we have reservations made early in WI, but have to watch snow conditions to make sure it is worth going up for the week. Hate to buy the $30 WI pass early from DNR & then have NWI have bad snow conditions, so we end up in the UP instead (and then pay another $50 to MI).

It would be nice if the "out of state" ($50) sticker and the "WI registered Non-club member" ($30) sticker were available at the 'service centers' (gas stations) like in the past. I think it would sell more stickers too. The "WI registered non-club member" could simply show their sled Registration card for proof to get the $30.

I wonder how many of the out of staters that have sleds registered in WI will continue that. I have mine registered there now, but not sure I will in the future. I'm going to net out at $40 a year, (1/3 of the $30 registration fee, and the trail fee). If I just pay the out of state trail fee it's $10 more. I may be willing to pay that because I don't ride in WI every year so in the long run I may actually be saving money. If I have to commit early in the season to get the trail pass through the mail I can tell you I'll probably go the $50 way for sure.

 

[snobuilder]

i hope they streamline the process

 

[blu2u2]

Back from the AWSC Convention and yes all stickers will be mailed out! However, the DNR said if sticker is purchased from any DNR station or authorized vender the buyer will get a receipt that will be good for a short period of time (7 days?). Things are still not set in stone but this is the way the system will likely be when it starts on 7-1-15.

 

[snobuilder]

Thanks for the update blu....was there any discussion on if they are working on an easier way to get a trail pass?
I don't understand the reason you can't walk out with a sticker in hand if you are paying the full price for it.

 

[blu2u2]

Thanks for the update blu....was there any discussion on if they are working on an easier way to get a trail pass?
I don't understand the reason you can't walk out with a sticker in hand if you are paying the full price for it.

Your welcome... They said the first year will have some kinks to work out. The fact that the stickers will be tied in with the registration number on the snowmobile is the likely reason one can't walk out with the sticker. This was not mentioned. It is my speculation.

 

[snobuilder]

Your welcome... They said the first year will have some kinks to work out. The fact that the stickers will be tied in with the registration number on the snowmobile is the likely reason one can't walk out with the sticker. This was not mentioned. It is my speculation.

No real reason to not be able to get a trail permit on site as out of staters currently do.
If someone chooses to buy a full priced trail permit without proper registration it simply falls back on them for not being in compliance should they be stopped.

 

[snobuilder]

As stated already, the process to get a discounted trail permit does require club membership confirmation so yes that would be a longer time period that may need to have the trail pass sent through the mail.

This whole process is beginning to look like a revenue loser.
This sport is unpredictable enough and making it MORE difficult to be ready to ride when the snow falls is a step backwards.

- - - Updated - - -

Look at this past season for examlple when only a small handfull of counties were able to open the trails....do you really think folks are going to prepare ahead of time by plunking down $30.00 or out of state $50.00 on speculation there will be ridable snow?

Congratulations, MI....this might work out well for the yoop as folks use WI highways to get to your easily accessed trails with a 5 minute trail pass in hand process.....LMAO!

 

[rocky367]

As stated already, the process to get a discounted trail permit does require club membership confirmation so yes that would be a longer time period that may need to have the trail pass sent through the mail.

This whole process is beginning to look like a revenue loser.
This sport is unpredictable enough and making it MORE difficult to be ready to ride when the snow falls is a step backwards.

- - - Updated - - -

Look at this past season for examlple when only a small handfull of counties were able to open the trails....do you really think folks are going to prepare ahead of time by plunking down $30.00 or out of state $50.00 on speculation there will be ridable snow?

^^^ Totally agree ^^^ I didn't register until February two of my sleds and almost didn't do that but the kid convinced me to go one afternoon.. Yeah, I know I could register in June but why do that when I've had winters with no snow?