First, i disagree with charging a fee for hunting/fishing license. it's just another tax, IMO. Hunting/fishing should be regulated, for sure, but no fees. Second, why in the world would TEXAS need my SS# for a hunting/fishing license? More government tracking. Identity theft is getting to be a real problem and the more our SS#'s are given out to more strangers means the more chance that I, you, anyone, could fall victim to identity theft. Once done, identity theft is a real mess to straighten out and sometimes takes years and large amounts of effort and money to restore credit. I personally know of a person that is currently trying to straighten out a identity theft situation and from what they tell me, it is a real bear to contend with. We need to stop the madness of private/personal numbers for ID. The state can issue some other number for tracking, not my SS#.
Actually the requirement is a federal mandate. This is from the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Social Security Numbers Required by Law: The collection of the Social Security Number is mandated by the Federal Government and is required regardless of age. TPWD has no option but to comply with Federal Law and collect the numbers from the purchasers of licenses. TPWD cannot force you to provide your social security number; however, under Federal Statute, we cannot sell you a license. Your social security number is required to be collected, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42 U.S.C.A. 666 and Texas Family Code, Section 231.302. If you are buying a license for another person, the law requires that the purchaser provide the social security number of the person who will be holding the license.
