Bob Mauritsen writes:
<<So who's right? You guys, or them?>>

I've been following this conservation license thread for awhile,
and certainly there seems to be some confusion. From what you say in
your posting, there seems to be some misinformation. Conservation
licenses are issued just like fishing and hunting licenses. You must
show ID and have an original signature on the license, with name and
address, and pay the fee to get one, therefore negating your ability to
get one for someone else. Of course if you have a hunting and fishing
license, you don't have to buy the conservation license, as you are
already covered, as has been extensively reported on Tweeters. The
license must be carried with you at all times (not left in the car).
All these licenses are non-transferable, just like how driver's licenses
are non-transferable.

The most common mix-up with some is that, unrelated to
conservation licenses, there is a car permit that can be bought that
allows cars to park on certain lands so people can go hiking, etc.
Since I haven't bought one, I am not sure what the exact name is of this
permit and what agency (if different) issues these, sorry. I know you
can get them from Forest Service offices and a few other places. A new
rule went into effect about a year or so ago that requires automobiles
to display this permit which is required most commonly at trailheads in
the Cascades and other places. That permit is issued like a snow-park
permit (those who cross-country ski are used to this) and it has to be
posted in your automobile. You can buy blank ones and use them for
different cars and fill in the information (a friend gave me one at a
trailhead last year). Once the information is filled in, they become
non-transferable and can only be used for the one car. If you don't
have the permit displayed, you can get ticketed. Some people are mixing
this permit process up with the conservation license, which is
understandable, as so many people are buying this new car permit.

Since I have been buying licenses for over ten years, it has
become clear to me that some people who work the desks and issue various
licenses may not be all that knowledgeable, although most are. But in
the Fred Meyer case, the issuer was correct in not issuing you more than
one conservation license, which is controlled by regulations.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion.

Franny Drobny
Seattle, Washington
fdrobny at cairncross.com