Fishing License- Paper Copy or Electronic Copy

[woodyvt]

With the increased usage of smart phones I have am wondering what everyone's experiences are when asked for a license on the ice?

I carry a paper copy and also have an electronic copy on my iphone. 

In my experience over the past few years, whenever I get checked on the ice (which is often) I always ask the warden checking the same question:

Do you want a paper copy or electronic copy and which is legal?

Some dont care, some ask for a paper copy only.

What I cant seem to get is a straight answer out of any of them is if one or both are legal.

Thought it would be a good topic for discussion and maybe a Fish and Wildlife Representative could provide some insight on this.

Hope everyone is having a good season so far!

Woody

[FlyPredatorVT]

Excellent question! I almost always have a paper copy on me but I have an electronic copy on my smart phone too. It would be a good question, certainly one that should be brought up to the wardens.

[Little Brown Dog]

The paper one needs to be signed, so I think their problem with the electronic version would be that it is not signed.

This is what it says on the website when you go to print your license.
*Note: License is not valid until it is signed.

[walleyeicefisher]

When we were check on salem a couple weeks ago the warden would except either paper or electronic licenses for fishing only. 

[JackMoose]

It does say that it has to be signed. Maybe if you signed the paper copy and then took a picture of it?

[bootstrap]

I didnt know there was an e-copy. you initial to certify you are a resident etc electronically so what would be the difference about signing it. 

[Fish Hard]

had my paper license and paper bait slip checked today...

[Troutmagnet]

had my paper license and paper bait slip checked today...

Isn't the bait slip only for transporting to the body of water. I've always left mine on the dash and have never been asked to provide it. I have been asked if I had one and always respond that it is in my vehicle. 

[Fish Hard]

I don't know. He asked if I brought the bait with me or if I jigged it when I got there. I told him I bought it and he asked to see my slip, so I showed him.

[lowaccord66]

Last out of state VT license I bought online said "signature electronically affirmed"

[KayakerB]

I got carded on Saturday. The warden I spoke to did not like the way I had my license presented in a clear license holder on my jacket. She said it needs to have my signature showing. She said she would not make me take it out to see the signature but advised that I will need to show it signed in the future.

The other issue was my portable tent. While I knew from the rule book, it had to have my name and address on it, I had it posted with a laminated piece of paper and attached with giant safety pins. The warden said that is not good enough. Must be permanent so she advised it needs to be written on the fabric with a permanent marker. She said it was required in the event I left the tent on the ice over night and it blew away and damaged someone's property. I said I had no plans leaving the tent unattended. I use a tent so it can be set up and broken down in minutes.

I think I will try to apply a heat transfer with my info on a piece of fabric and sew that to the tent. I wonder if they would still give me grief about that? Heck what if I want to sell it someday. I don't  want my address still written in marker on the fabric.

[fishermantim]

MA has an "electronically" signed license when bought online.
I still keep copies at different locations so that I won't be caught without one, even though the e-license means they can check online themselves if they are checking licenses and you don't have a printed copy.

I know some states still require you to have a copy in your possession.

[lowaccord66]

Maybe it was Mass Tim.  I bought a few yearly's this season...cant remember who's has what...

[Lavman]

I carry a paper copy.

Honestly I miss the durable paper versions you used to get when you bought your license at a bait shop or store, the printed copies I carry don't tolerate getting wet not to mention tagging deer with a scrap of paper then dragging said deer out of the woods through the snow or wet leaves, etc. not much left of the tag after all that.

The ease of purchasing and updating your license and tags online is great though. 

[dickbaker]

   I fish in three states.   I print out multiple copies of each license and sign all of them.   I store them in different locations  so that I can always find another after I fall in the water and ruin one copy
They all tell me to sign each copy.  You can't sign the one on your Iphone.   If I were a warden I would always ask for the paper (signed) copy.
Dick

[Crayfish2]

Isn't the bait slip only for transporting to the body of water. I've always left mine on the dash and have never been asked to provide it. I have been asked if I had one and always respond that it is in my vehicle. 

I think you have to have it on you so that they know that bait was bought for that body of water.  I got checked on Seymour last year and he wanted to see my license and my bait slip.

[Jay Fat City]

Now that I have an iPhone, I'm keeping both. I had a warden ask for my license while I was cruising around in my float tube. I'll be damned if I pull out my $300 phone while hanging out of an inner tube!

Jay

[fishingidjit]

WHY do you have to sign  your license? I always have other ID to prove who I am, does it have something with signing so you have agreed to obey the F&G laws ??

[dickbaker]

  I'm not sure but just as with your drivers license its not valid until you sign it!!
Dick

[lowaccord66]

I just pulled the trigger on the yearly out of state for VT.  Ouch.  That plus three other states makes a dent in the wallet...

[VTMatt]

I can't comprehend as to why they would need a printed, signed paper copy.  What if I took a picture OF a printed and signed copy?  What are they gonna say then?  I don't see how them looking at the exact same info on your phone should be any different than on a piece of paper. 

[sam2013]

I got carded on Saturday. The warden I spoke to did not like the way I had my license presented in a clear license holder on my jacket. She said it needs to have my signature showing. She said she would not make me take it out to see the signature but advised that I will need to show it signed in the future.

The other issue was my portable tent. While I knew from the rule book, it had to have my name and address on it, I had it posted with a laminated piece of paper and attached with giant safety pins. The warden said that is not good enough. Must be permanent so she advised it needs to be written on the fabric with a permanent marker. She said it was required in the event I left the tent on the ice over night and it blew away and damaged someone's property. I said I had no plans leaving the tent unattended. I use a tent so it can be set up and broken down in minutes.

I think I will try to apply a heat transfer with my info on a piece of fabric and sew that to the tent. I wonder if they would still give me grief about that? Heck what if I want to sell it someday. I don't  want my address still written in marker on the fabric.

Interesting.  The regs say it must be permanent in waterproof paint or a rustproof tag.  Yours may not have been all that permanent so I guess she had an argument there but a laminated piece of paper sounds rustproof to me, yet she said you have to write it on the fabric?  How exactly do they define a rustproof tag?  It seems as though this is really geared toward traditional constructed shanties even though it is required for "tents or portable shelters" as well.  You make a good point about diminishing the value of it in the event you want to sell it.  Perhaps they should provide more clarity on this or even rethink it slightly to provide more flexibility for portables made of fabric.

[fishingidjit]

I got carded on Saturday. The warden I spoke to did not like the way I had my license presented in a clear license holder on my jacket. She said it needs to have my signature showing. She said she would not make me take it out to see the signature but advised that I will need to show it signed in the future.

The other issue was my portable tent. While I knew from the rule book, it had to have my name and address on it, I had it posted with a laminated piece of paper and attached with giant safety pins. The warden said that is not good enough. Must be permanent so she advised it needs to be written on the fabric with a permanent marker. She said it was required in the event I left the tent on the ice over night and it blew away and damaged someone's property. I said I had no plans leaving the tent unattended. I use a tent so it can be set up and broken down in minutes.

I think I will try to apply a heat transfer with my info on a piece of fabric and sew that to the tent. I wonder if they would still give me grief about that? Heck what if I want to sell it someday. I don't  want my address still written in marker on the fabric.

If your portable WAS left on the ice and blew away what would it hit and hurt, a hardside or a fisherman  

[vtpike]

I got carded on Saturday. The warden I spoke to did not like the way I had my license presented in a clear license holder on my jacket. She said it needs to have my signature showing. She said she would not make me take it out to see the signature but advised that I will need to show it signed in the future.

The other issue was my portable tent. While I knew from the rule book, it had to have my name and address on it, I had it posted with a laminated piece of paper and attached with giant safety pins. The warden said that is not good enough. Must be permanent so she advised it needs to be written on the fabric with a permanent marker. She said it was required in the event I left the tent on the ice over night and it blew away and damaged someone's property. I said I had no plans leaving the tent unattended. I use a tent so it can be set up and broken down in minutes.

I think I will try to apply a heat transfer with my info on a piece of fabric and sew that to the tent. I wonder if they would still give me grief about that? Heck what if I want to sell it someday. I don't  want my address still written in marker on the fabric.

Myself and others I know have laminated signs with our names and addresses. Not once have I been trouble about it. Was there more to the story? New law?

Mine is certainly cleared labeled.

[KayakerB]

The warden said name and address needed to be permanent. The sign I had was laminated and pinned with 4 giant safety pins. One on each edge of the sign. This was not secure enough in her eyes.

Not sure if she was giving us a hard time because we were from out of state?

Next time I visit VT and have my tent, I'll sew a small sign on the door so I will comply but will still put the larger sign pinned so it is more visible if questioned.

[Lavman]

I took a Sharpie to both my portables and monogrammed them. Did not seem like a big deal to me, of course I have no plans to sell but if I did it would be very simple to get the Sharpie back out and fully black out my name and address before I sell the thing, just sayin. 

P.S. I did take a picture of my signed license with my iPhone, that was a cool idea posted here. I do keep a paper copy in a Zip-loc bag in my pocket, a copy in my rod and tackle box and one in the center console of my truck so I am ready when the Law asks to see my "papers"