Electronic copies of fishing licenses

[Chuq Yang]

Hey all,

I was wondering if everyone here prints out a copy of their fishing licenses.  I live in MD, and have licenses to fish in a number of states (and DC) but most are electronic.  I keep them in dropbox and have that app on my phone so I can pull it up should I get asked.  I've never had a chance to pull out my phone for a license, but one of the things I really like about buying online is that I can then print as many copies as I want.  If I get one wet for instance.  

I know some of them probably say "Not valid unless signed" and barring the possibility that I drop my phone in the water or run out of battery, has anyone else had the same thought?  Just curious.  I'm probably going to print out a copy of my DC license for this weekend (c'mon shad cam!).  

See you all out there!

Chuq

[Jeffrey Silvan]

I always purchase online, but print them out. I was checked once a few years ago for a license, but that's it. Rather be safe than sorry, particularly for something as easy as keeping a slip of paper in my pocket/wallet.

Chuq

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[Jeff Cook]

Some licenses like DC have to be displayed, I assume so they can do a quick check from distance. But I keep images of them all on my phone as well.

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[Matthew Longley]

Good question... I keep pictures of all my license on my phone so I can pull them up quickly (like actual screenshots, in case I don't have reception).  Mostly I do this because I frequently either forget my license or bring the wrong one (VA to fletchers, DC to 4MR, etc).  Haven't had it checked yet though.

[Eric Y.]

VA generally does not have the ability to electronically check for valid licenses if, say, I just gave them my name or license number and didn't have the physical license with me. Most COs will also not accept an electronic copy.

 

I speak from personal experience on both.

[Brendan]

always wondered about this... i guess eric says it's not valid in VA but i think you could talk your way out of it depending on the game warden and how their day is going. I keep a backup of all licenses on my phone to either show or reprint if necessary. Has proven very helpful on a couple occasions. have done reprints at motels, fly shops, and rental car offices.  

i know in PA and a couple other states you need to have it displayed at all times...i think you also have to have it reprinted from a state licensing agent ($5) ??  rarely ever see a game warden in VA or MD. I usually print out 5-10 copies every year when i buy them online. usually keep 2-3 copies in the car, one copy in a bag in my fishing backpack,  and stuff copies of the md/va/dc  into a couple different ziplock's for my waders and canoes.  yea, it's overkill but over the course of the spring/summer/fall they tend to get destroyed and disappear... always rather have a couple copies on me than none. unnecessary anxiety fishing without one. 

[TurbineBlade]

+1 to Brendan's post.  I pretty much do the same thing, I was just neglecting to mention my paranoia about it ;).  

Gene

[Texican]

I was checked 2x in one week two weeks ago.  First time I left my printed license in my wader pocket. Pulled up the VA email and .pdf copy on my phone and was extra nice.  No hassles but asked to keep it on me and have it signed.  So... two days later out on 4MR again and had my license printed and signed when the same County park officer checked me again.  I figure why press your luck.  I like the extra copies idea.

[Matthew Longley]

Also the good old packing tape lamination job will do wonders to preserve your carry-on license.  When I remember to carry it, of course...

On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 9:55 PM, Texican <john.z....@gmail.com> wrote:

I was checked 2x in one week two weeks ago.  First time I left my printed license in my wader pocket. Pulled up the VA email and .pdf copy on my phone and was extra nice.  No hassles but asked to keep it on me and have it signed.  So... two days later out on 4MR again and had my license printed and signed when the same County park officer checked me again.  I figure why press your luck.  I like the extra copies idea.

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[Steve F]

I print mine out anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 size, do a bit of packing tape lamination, and keep them all in my wallet.  Most printers have a Print 2 (or 4) to a Page function.  They may have to squint to see it, but the info is there.

[Brendan]

what is this, a license for ants? :) 

[Eric Y.]

A trout spot near my folks' house is a hot spot for COs. They've had problems in the last couple years of drag nets and trot lines (recently arrest 14 people for dragging the river; all got out of the charges because they didn't have signs posted in spanish as well - they were up the next day!) so I really don't mind. Last spring, I was checked as I was putting on my waders. I had left my physical copy at home but had it on my phone - I thought I was totally in the clear. The CO, who was actually the older brother of one of my fraternity brothers, basically told me that I could go home and print it out, or go home and stay there. Thankfully, I only lived about 10min away. Sure enough, he swing back through an hour or two later and checked me again.

On Friday, April 5, 2013 5:06:08 PM UTC-4, Brendan wrote:

[CaseyP]

PA does indeed require Pay and Display, and in the sporting goods shops and fly shops up there you can buy a little plastic envelope with a zip top and a large pin. I put my licenses in there (PA, VA, MD) and pin it to the back of my lanyard. It's always there. Of course, there are also copies in the fishing basket...

However---once I was fishing in VT and just put the license in there with the others. The guy I was fishing with noticed that it has an awful lot of information on it. You might want to be a bit careful of these things!

Oh, and us old crones (over 65) don't need a DC license; it used to live with the others when I had one.

[Ken Fugate]

I print one copy on Adventure Paper (waterproof inkjet paper) that I carry with me, keep a plain paper copy in the glove box and have a photo of a signed copy on my phone.  I always keep the PA license on the outside of my license carrier as it is the only state that has to be displayed.

 

Ken ...

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[Chuq Yang]

Thanks for all the replies.  I've printed all my licenses out now just in case.  I have a plastic zip-top license holder that has all my licenses in it.  Now I hope I get checked so I can chat with the officer about electronic copies.  If I get some additional information, I'll post it.  It does seem that PA and DC are the only ones that need to be "displayed prominently" whilst fishing.

Chuq

On Friday, April 5, 2013 12:37:26 PM UTC-4, Chuq Yang wrote: