Castile and León is implementing the digital seal. How does it work?

The Castile and León Regional Government has announced the implementation of a new digital sealing system for big game hunting starting in the 2025/26 season. This system will complement traditional plastic seals and allow hunters to record their catches through a mobile app.

The change, which is part of the administrative modernization process, has raised concerns among hunters, especially regarding the accessibility of the new tool for those less familiar with technology. However, after meetings with the Castile and León Hunting Federation, the Administration has guaranteed that no hunter will be excluded from the activity for this reason, as an alternative in analog format will be offered.

How digital seals work

The new system provides two ways to record catches:

Digital Sealing: After shooting an animal, the authorized hunter must access the mobile app, take two photographs of the animal, and record the capture. The app will generate a QR code that will serve as proof of capture. If there is no coverage at the time, the information will be stored on the device and sent when the connection is restored.

Paper seal: For those who do not use electronic devices, the game manager must provide a printed document with the hunter's information and the corresponding authorization. Once the game has been shot, the hunter must fill in the date and time and contact the manager before leaving the hunting ground. The manager will have 72 hours to register the capture on the digital platform.

With this system, animals will no longer have any physical elements attached to their bodies, as was the case with plastic seals.

Advantages of the new digital sealing system

The implementation of the digital hunting seal system in Castile and León, as reported by the Regional Government, brings multiple benefits that aim to optimize the process and make it more efficient, transparent, and accessible for all hunters. The main advantages are detailed below:

1. Greater control and traceability
The digital sealing system allows for real-time capture and recording of seals. This feature ensures that all information is recorded immediately and without the possibility of loss. This improves control over seal distribution, preventing loss or mishandling. It also facilitates tracking of each seal from issue to use, reinforcing the transparency of the process.

2. Reduction of bureaucratic burden
One of the major advances introduced by the digital system is the elimination of paper-based administrative procedures, such as the delivery of seal templates. This not only facilitates administrative work by reducing the volume of physical documentation, but also improves efficiency by allowing the process to be carried out more quickly and without the need for lengthy or complicated procedures. With the new system, the risk of human error in document management is minimized.

3. Greater comfort for hunters
With the digital system, hunters no longer need to travel to offices to obtain their seals. Authorization can be processed immediately and completely online, allowing quick and convenient access to the seal. This saves time and resources for hunters, who can manage all procedures from anywhere with internet access, making the hunting experience easier.

4. Alternative for hunters without digital access
Despite the modernization offered by the digital system, it is recognized that not all hunters have access to digital technology or the internet. Therefore, it has been ensured that those who cannot use the electronic platform can still access the system through a paper-based procedure. This ensures that all hunters, regardless of their level of access to technology, can participate in the hunting process equitably.

Date of implementation and operation of the application

The Castile and León Regional Government has confirmed that the system will be operational by April 1, 2025, coinciding with the start of the roe deer season. Information sessions will be held for hunting ground owners and hunters in the coming weeks to facilitate the transition to the new model.

With this measure, Castile and León becomes one of the first autonomous communities to digitalize the sealing of big game, promoting a more efficient system adapted to modern times. What do you think about this?

Author: María Balletbó