One day last year I got a call from a stranger who had my boat owners card and fishing license which he had found in the parking lot at Sam's where I dropped it getting the Sams card out my wallet. Looked me up in the phone book, gave me his address, I went right over and got 'em.

Point being, not carrying it around isn't all that hard to understand, people lose stuff all the time.

I still carry mine in my wallet anyway.

Which reminds me, it's expired.

But as said, not having your license on you isn't the same as unlicensed fishing, and getting a ticket isn't the same as being guilty. [Note to sandwichmaker: fact that mr. warden didn't ticket you isn't proof that the copy is legal -- he made a judgement call. Apparently you seem like an honest person. ]

The law requiring you to have it on your person protects the game wardens from having to make judgement calls over whether a photocopy is for real or not. Saves 'em the trouble of having to argue with you over whether or not you are "poaching".

And if Rick Perry would stop diverting TPWD funds to other stuff, maybe they could get the wireless computers.

Just seems there are bigger battles to fight.

He has a bass wallet, crappie wallet, catfish wallet and a Carp wallet.

I'm sorry guys, but I could not pass up this conversation...

To be on the safe side, always carry a photocopy of your drivers license when driving a photocopy of your vehicle.

And, of course, always carry a photocopy of your fishing license when fishing with a photocopy of your rod and reel.

Please forgive me. -ray

Are you allright?

Sometimes.

Don't forget to get your new licenses. For most, the year started over in September. Later. -ray

You are absolutely right!
You definately need that photocopy of your license to be legal when you catch that photocopy of a bass.......


I need to put down the vicodin and go home........

LOL @ ray, best laugh all day, thanks!

Why not just e-mail the fish and parks and get the answer from them first hand. Then there will be no question in your mind if you can or can not have a photo copy.

I emailed them waiting on answer.

i dont carry my wallet with me when i fish because i used to but I tend to jump in the water without warning for random things so my wallet and its contents always got wet

I don't carry my wallet on my person because of back problems, so its either in my truck or boat. I have never had trouble when telling the game warden where it is and walking over with him to get it. I just make sure its in my truck when bank fishing or boat when on the water.

David - It will be interesting to hear their official response to your e-mail about carrying photocopies of licenses to meet legal provisions.

Some readers may not realize there is a "personal identification" provision in the general law requiring us to also carry our driver's license (or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety) when fishing, like Joe said. Just guessing... these are photo IDs while our fishing license is not. -ray

Only if the person who is checking your license, has only a photocopy of a badge.

Hey David... Did TPWD ever respond to your email? -ray