Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Launches Android Version of Hunt Fish VA App

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Continuing its commitment to mobile technology users and serving as a benchmark for innovation for outdoor regulatory and enforcement agencies throughout the nation, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is once again partnering with Virginia Interactive (VI) to offer the Android version of its popular, award-winning Hunt Fish VA mobile app.

Officially released February 6, 2012, the new Hunt Fish VA mobile app for Android is available free from the Android Market (https://market.android.com/). The online tool allows Virginia sportsmen and sportswomen to search a wide variety of Virginia hunting- and fishing-related information on their smart phones. Some of the app’s numerous capabilities include:

• buying a license through the secure mobile online licensing system;
• calculating Geolocation-based sunrise and sunset times;
• looking up hunting regulations, seasons, and bag limits while in the field;
• viewing freshwater fishing regulations;
• identifying the fish you just caught and comparing them to state record fish;
• recording your harvests in your own personal “Trophy Case”;
• finding nearby boat ramps, Wildlife Management Areas, and lakes with the “Near Me” mapping tool;
• getting the latest news and information from DGIF;
• and much more!

DGIF had previously launched the Hunt Fish VA mobile app for Apple’s iOS devices in July 2011 and was later recognized at the 2011 Governor’s Technology Awards, held annually at the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Innovative Technology Symposium. Since its release, the iOS version has been downloaded over 7,000 times and remains a five-star rated app in the Apple’s iTunes store.

“With the success of the original iOS version and because so many sportsmen have been asking for an Android version, we are very excited about launching the new Hunt Fish VA app for Android. We love the idea that we can reach the thousands of hunters, anglers, boaters, and wildlife enthusiasts while afield or afloat!” said Bob Duncan, DGIF Executive Director.

Technology savvy sportsmen are growing in number with many relying on smartphones and tablets to conduct the everyday business of life. Fish and wildlife agencies would be remiss to ignore the growing trends toward mobile technologies and with the release of the new Hunt Fish VA mobile app for Android; DGIF has elegantly continued its tradition of leadership in mobile application development.

About Virginia Interactive

Virginia Interactive is the result of a mutually beneficial contractual relationship established between the Virginia Information Technology Agency’s (VITA) and Virginia Interactive, LLC. Virginia Interactive, a subsidiary of NIC, manages the portal and develops eGovernment solutions for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

About the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia’s fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities. To learn more about wildlife in Virginia visit www.dgif.virginia.gov.

About NIC

NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation's leading provider of government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. The NIC family of companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.