No fishing allowed

I have been coming to Montana for several years and love the state so much that last year I brought close to 100 family and friends with me to celebrate my birthday at Flathead Lake Lodge.

Currently, I am in the process of purchasing a multi-million dollar parcel of land outside of Big Sky with plans to spend much more building our dream home.

Last Saturday I decided to take my 5-year-old son fly-fishing in Bigfork.

I was advised by the tour guide that I would need a fishing license, so I was sent to the nearby Conoco gas station to obtain one.

I assumed I would have to pay some money, and perhaps show my driver's license number, but when he asked for my social security number, I refused.

Would you give your social security number to a gas station attendant?

Since I felt that giving this personal information out was an invasion of privacy, I was not able to go fishing.

California and many other states now have strict privacy laws prohibiting agencies from asking for your social security number, as identity theft is a major problem. In fact, once somebody has your driver's license and social security number they might as well be you.

So I ask, why does the State of Montana need my social security number to go fishing?

I thought the people of Montana were proud of their independence from governmental interference. In fact, next door in Wyoming, you only need to pay $11 for a one-day fishing pass with no identification at all.

I love Montana and plan to spend more time here in the future, and would like to take my son fishing without having my identity stolen.

Is that too much to ask?

David Dollinger

Redwood City, Calif.