holehopper, I did the same and called Dick Sporting goods in Findlay , they gave me the same answer , " Oh you can buy them March 1st" I kindly replied to the young lady on the phone, " do you realize that our current license expire Saturday the 28th so now I have to come to your store Sunday March 1st and wait in line with all other ice fisherman so we can go out that day." I got a quick , Oh let me talk to the manager". Literally 15 minutes of being on hold I hung up with no reply from Dicks at Findlay..... somebody in the chain has their wires crossed as to when they should go on sale. I got mine up the road at the ODMV ....lord knows you can only buy a license in Indian Lake region at 2 places, park office and the hardware store.