Anybody Ever Get Caught Without Their License?

[StevesBass]

On 4/12/2017 at 7:53 PM, frosty said:

It's crazy you guys that have only been checked once, or some of you never. Last year was the first year I haven't been checked in 20 years, other than a couple years I didn't even buy a license, of course I wasn't fishing. 

 

I'm 50 and I've been fishing for most of those years.  Never been asked for a license once.  I always have it, just never been asked to show it!

[iiTzChunky]

I've only been fishing for about a year so I've always had mine on me. 

 

But a quick question for everyone. I buy my license online. So I print out a copy. If I show the warden my license on my phone, since I get a copy on my phone and print it out would that suffice? Or would I still catch it because they want to see the paper copy. 

[frosty]

1 hour ago, iiTzChunky said:

I've only been fishing for about a year so I've always had mine on me. 

 

But a quick question for everyone. I buy my license online. So I print out a copy. If I show the warden my license on my phone, since I get a copy on my phone and print it out would that suffice? Or would I still catch it because they want to see the paper copy. 

I always try to have a paper copy on me. No telling when you'll drop your phone overboard or the battery will die, but I guarantee when it happens a conservation officer will be there asking for a copy. 

[StevesBass]

1 hour ago, iiTzChunky said:

I've only been fishing for about a year so I've always had mine on me. 

 

But a quick question for everyone. I buy my license online. So I print out a copy. If I show the warden my license on my phone, since I get a copy on my phone and print it out would that suffice? Or would I still catch it because they want to see the paper copy. 

You need to look up the law in your state.  Up until a couple of years ago, Indiana required a paper copy copy on your person. Now an pdf on your phone is good enough.

[Jeff H]

I've always had mine with me.  I get checked every year, sometimes several times.  I sure wish they'd learn to pull up on my backside rather than the side I'm fishing though.  Sometimes those CO's are the most discourteous scoundrels on the lake!

[iiTzChunky]

53 minutes ago, StevesBass said:

You need to look up the law in your state.  Up until a couple of years ago, Indiana required a paper copy copy on your person. Now an pdf on your phone is good enough.

Awsome thanks, I looked around and didn't see anything for my state so I emailed the conservation office and asked. I guess we will see if the copy I have on my phone will work or if i need to make 42 copies because I'll end up losing the thing a few times over the season. 

[RPreeb]

Since I'm more likely to have my wallet with me than my phone, I always have the hard copy they sent me.  Despite having a smart phone for years now, I still have a tendency to forget it at times.  When you lived for 60 years with phones that were tied to your house, it just isn't automatic to grab it and take it with you when you leave.  Not to mention that I like being incommunicado.  I don't feel that I have to always be available to anyone who wants to call me.  I do like the idea of snapping a photo of the license and at least having that for backup, although I don't know if Colorado fish and game would recognize it if I needed to use it.

 

At least it's easy to be sure that I have a license... Colorado senior fishing license is only $1.00, and I can order it online.  They still send out the paper copy, no printing it myself.

[J._Bricker]

On 4/7/2017 at 8:26 PM, OperationEagle said:

So here is a question.  If an angler for some reason doesn't have their license on them but has purchased one, why can't the DNR just check by scanning a drivers license?...assuming the angler has a drivers license.  

 

when I buy my fishing license they look it up using my DL number.

 

maybe they can?

 

OperationEagle, I'm not familiar with how F&G laws are applied in Minnesota or other states, but I can answer your question as it pertains to California. Your driver's license, fishing license and hunting license are all electronically linked to your driver's license. The ability to conduct the check is limited by the type and range of the communication device being used to for the check. However, each license needs to be in your possession when driving, fishing or hunting, and if not a citation may be issued.

 

I make sure I have my fishing license with me. I'll ask friends and family fishing with me if they have their license to prevent any embarrassment if we're contacted by a warden. 

 

 

[bh91]

only been checked in california twice, the first being the opening day of spiny lobster season. and the second some lady called since we were fishing in la jolla 

[kfili]

I only got checked once, but my buddy was with me and didnt have one (I didnt know he never bought it) and Im glad I had mine!

[Burntorangefan]

 Carrot or stick?

 

Carrot: as mentioned, in most states the licenses help fund conservation efforts so you can feel good about doing your part.

 

Stick: in WA, you can actually lose your BOAT for fishing without a license.  Compared to fines, that's just barbaric.

[J._Bricker]

12 hours ago, Burntorangefan said:

 Carrot or stick?

 

Carrot: as mentioned, in most states the licenses help fund conservation efforts so you can feel good about doing your part.

 

Stick: in WA, you can actually lose your BOAT for fishing without a license.  Compared to fines, that's just barbaric.

 

Works like that in Cali Burtorangefan also, and probably a quite a few other states. And your tow vehicle can impounded as evidence if the boat was transported to where the alleged poaching took place.

 

That's why I usually ask my buddies if the have their license with them when going out on my boat or just going fishing in general. When you divide the cost of a license over 365 days, I personally think it's pretty cheap insurance to keeping your stuff. 

 

 

[BIGfryFish]

Never, I've only been checked twice by an ECO.   Both time I had no problems.

 

About 10-15yrs ago I got a Lifetime Fishing License so I wouldn't need to worry about renewing.    No excuse not to have it on me.  The card fits snug inside my wallet next to my fishing license. 

  

[Brown Town]

I brought a girl I was newly dating in college out fishing for her birthday because she wanted to go since I was always on the water. I was so worried about setting her up and hoping she would enjoy it I forgot she probably needed a license. Get out and settle in on a spot on the bank and I cast out and hand her the rod. Immediately 2 DNR officers come out of nowhere and approach us. It hit me right there that I forgot to get her a license. Tried explaining its her first time out and we would go get her a license right away. They weren't having it and wrote her a $250 ticket. I paid for it but needless to say we didn't date very long. 

[5Keepers]

Just save up and spend the money for a lifetime hunting/fishing license.  Geeeezzzzz... you spend tens of thousands and thousands on a boat, electronics, tackle, clothing, etc..etc... 

 

WHY NOT??? --  THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO HAVE ONE!!

 

I bought mine (hunting/fishing-$350) back in 1987!!!  Its paid for its self many times over!!

 

....and you never have to worry!

[MichiganBass80]

10 minutes ago, 5Keepers said:

Just save up and spend the money for a lifetime hunting/fishing license.  Geeeezzzzz... you spend tens of thousands and thousands on a boat, electronics, tackle, clothing, etc..etc... 

 

WHY NOT??? --  THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO HAVE ONE!!

 

I bought mine (hunting/fishing-$350) back in 1987!!!  Its paid for its self many times over!!

 

....and you never have to worry!

 

 

Except not all states offer a lifetime license.

 

 

 

I have never been checked. But I always have it with me anyways.

[5Keepers]

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 11:49 PM, Brown Town said:

I brought a girl I was newly dating in college out fishing for her birthday because she wanted to go since I was always on the water. I was so worried about setting her up and hoping she would enjoy it I forgot she probably needed a license. Get out and settle in on a spot on the bank and I cast out and hand her the rod. Immediately 2 DNR officers come out of nowhere and approach us. It hit me right there that I forgot to get her a license. Tried explaining its her first time out and we would go get her a license right away. They weren't having it and wrote her a $250 ticket. I paid for it but needless to say we didn't date very long. 

We are allowed to fish from the bank in our home county without a license.

[NC Bassin']

I never leave without my license.  I keep it in my tackle box always because my tackle box is always with me when I go.  Keeping up with the expiration date is also a good idea.

 

[Buckeye Ron]

I don't know if this is available everywhere but here in Florida you can have your license sent to you on what looks just like a credit card. Makes it real easy to always have with you. Assuming you don't leave your wallet at home!

[HunterSmith]

Made that stupid decision once and never again. I was 18 and fresh in the Marine Corps. Went camping on the Kern River for a week and fished my heart out the entire time. On the way home, I pulled over on the side of the road to fish for some trout in a good looking spot. Had just finished not catching anything and was headed back up when a park ranger made my acquaintance. Because I was military, he cut me some slack and instructed me to buy a 3 day license and fax it to him and I would not be fined. Stupid choice at a stupid age... learned my lesson though and make sure to get my fish and hunting combo every August.

[LxVE Bassin]

I seen a guy get caught earlier this month. DNR took his rod and gave him a ticket. He didn't have any fish on him.

["hamma"]

Once I didnt have it with me, I had bought one for the year, as the ranger stated, but I had forgot it at home. He made me copy it and the receipt, and mail them to him within a few days.,... I did, and he let things slide. And this happened on Cobbosseecontee in Maine, which im not a resident of,... he coulda nailed me!

 But, I will mention that I have been stopped and checked many times over the past years. Mostly here in Massachusetts, living here does that. NH, Maine, Vermont, CT, they to have had their fun stopping me and checking my safety gear. Never again an issue like on Cobbossee, but always a pain.

[Hunter Buddy]

What Rule or Law applies here: 

have a season license but did not know it had expired after 30 min of casting a Ranger approached and asked me for the license showed him the license on cell phone and he pointed out the expiry date! He accepted my apology and asked me how long was I fishing I told him about 30 mins ago I was casting he was very nice and I bought another license on the spot and paid by credit card. It was good for the whole week. A day later at the same spot he showed up agin and starts showing me face book pictures of me about two weeks older and said I will have to give you a citation now because you were fishing without a license. I was would now have to go to Court  to deposit fines etc. Which I did my question is was he in his rights to hang me a second time? For the same offense?

[MN Fisher]

You were originally let off because of the '30 minutes' comment. That you posted pics to FB showing that you'd been fishing for weeks without a license is 'new evidence'. So it wasn't the 'same offense' as the violations happened at different times.

 

<- Cousin was a MA Dept. of Fish and Game officer.

[813basstard]

Huh? I thought you bought one on the spot that was good for a week? 

Guess there is a benefit of living in a big(ger) city where murder is a more pressing issue. They couldn’t care less around here. I seen a man with a pole, bucket and live bream getting on the city bus. 

Chances of him having a license are roughly powerball odds. 

 

Your situation is odd to say the least.