Maybe this has already been reported, you can now use a digital copy of your hunting/fishing license as long as you don't require a tag. See below


https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/faqs

Frequently Asked Questions About Licenses


When do new-year licenses go on sale?

August 15. Most recreational hunting and fishing type license packages are valid from date of purchase in August (August 15 and later) through August 31 of the following year. Most commercial type licenses may be purchased starting August 15 of each year for the following year, but are not effective until September 1.

How can I get a digital copy of my license?

If you provide your email address to the license agent when purchasing your license/permit, a copy of your purchase receipt will be emailed to the email address provided. You can also view your recreational license information in the Outdoor Annual mobile app. A digital copy of your recreational license receipt can be used for activities that do not require tagging or physical stamps.

I get an Oklahoma license and a Texas license every year.
TPWD haven’t sent me a paper copy the last two years.
Oklahoma hasn’t sent me a paper license in about five years.

I just take a photo of my email receipt on my phone.

When they used to send me a paper license, I’d just put it in my wallet.

I just downloaded the TPWD annual app last night.
There it gave you the option to type in the number on your license. After I did that, all of the info that was on my licenses was provided digitally.
The only thing that wasn't on the app was the actual tags.

I was wondering if that would satisfy a G.W. when checked?

Sounds like it should be good for providing proof of your license as well.

I have no desire to hand my $1,000 phone to a game warden.

Game wardens have the greatest power of any law enforcement officer in the state regarding search and seizure. They can just get it from you.

Wrong. They cannot touch your phone without a warrant.
But if you hand it to them and they drop it in the lake, they will not pay for it.

Right!

I think if it's that big of a deal, you could just read off the license # and they could punch it in or call it in on their end.
Or, just invite them into your boat so that if they were to drop, it would be in your boat. Offer a cool water while they're aboard

pchapin proclaimed, "I have no desire to hand my $1,000 phone to a game warden."[color:#660000][/color]

When I worked in a boat, I had many, many violators "accidentally" drop my pen in the water before signing their citations for violations they knowingly committed. But, I had to hand them a pen, and then a replacement pen. And no, the violators never paid for the pens. I did. So, pchapin, what's your point? Are you implying that the game warden is going to intentionally drop your $1,000 phone in the lake? Are you saying that you're going to refuse to produce something you're required by law to produce? Or are you just making the point that it might be wiser to carry a paper copy, as so many of us did for most of our lives? Just curious.........

WRONG !
Some of them just THINK they do.
Their powers do not trump the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

I use the app on my phone but don't have to hand it to anyone.
used it twice at the legend tourney this weekend for weigh in and gw was standing right there.
I also get the paper license sent to me since I buy the freshwater combo and carry it in the wallet, the phone app is a whole lot easier than digging out the paper one.

as for the gw asking for your phone, why would they if you can pull up the app and produce a license?

arkansas also has the app license, used mine when I fished a tournament on dardanelle a couple of yrs. ago, super easy that way.

Some of you are right and some are wrong. The only thing a Game Warden can do that any Texas Peace Officer can not, is that they can enter onto private property without a warrant to check for Game Law violations and or may search game bags or containers without warrant. In some limited situations a Peace Officer can also do the same. Another thing a Game Warden can do that a regular Peace Officer can not is that they can enforce Federal Game violations. While a regular Peace Officer might be able to do this as well, he would have to go through a complicated process that would most likely involve a Warden's help.

I have all mine on my phone app.. TPWD Outdoor Annual app
Super combo, federal duck stamp, annual public hunt, sandhill crane permit

But I always have my physical license of all them, and I show the physical to the warden. Just easier IMO

I buy both also. For OK I only buy fishing and I print it out. For TX I buy super combo at store. Not sure about passing GW my phone on the lake. I did have one on Fork that used his binocs to read my license.