Sales of fishing, hunting licenses resume after huge online breach

OLYMPIA -- Sales of fishing and hunting licences, as well as the state Discover Pass, resumed Saturday after being shut down due to a computer breach that may have exposed thousands.

Officials with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced sales would resume through a network of about 600 dealers across the state. Customers will also be able to purchase licenses by phone beginning Monday, Aug. 29.

It is not yet known when online sales and related services would resume, officials said.

License sales were halted earlier this week after a computer breach exposed personal information for residents across Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Initial information shows exposed information includes Washington residents' names, addresses, driver's license numbers, dates of birth and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

More than 2 million Washington records were exposed, officials said.

Free fishing days will still be offered through Tuesday. However, starting on Wednesday anglers and hunters will need the appropriate licenses and permits. Hunters who have already bought their licenses but need copies of tags or other documents can obtain them through the retail vendors.

Anyone with questions about fishing and hunting licenses can call the WDFW customer service line at (360) 902-2464.