I heard last year (can't remember from whom) when I purchased mine that the state was using the system to try to track down people who weren't paying child support (people who buy fishing and hunting licenses are on the same system as the use permits). That's why they want the Social Security number. I think they've always wanted height and eye color, etc., probably mostly so that people won't share hunting and fishing licenses.

Andrea Grad
Alki
agrad at helsell.com