Forgetting your licence

[zamboni]

PS- I just bought my new 2007 licenses tonight, I was 3/4 of the way home from the hour drive and realized the agent didn't give me back my drivers license.  What kind of trouble can I get into fishing without that?

[SizeMatters]

     I know of a number of people over the years who have received tickets for various license infractions.  The magistrate/judge either threw them out with court costs or reduced the fine and court costs when the current licence was produced or (in the case of an expired licence) a new licence was purchased and produced.  They will allow people from out of town to do so via mail.  That's their job.
     The officers write tickets for infractions they find. That's what we pay them for. A licence left in a camera case, car, home or wherever is not his problem.  Most states require it be on your person.  New York requires you have the licence (not just the backtag) and proper identification that you are the person on the licence.  Most officers just ask for licence but will accomodate anyone that gets snotty by escalating to I.D. and so on from there.  I saw a guy get smart over a fishing licence check at a boat ramp when he was coming off wind up with a fistful of tickets and his equipment impounded including his truck/trailer (He really should have kept his mouth shut).

[Jack Magnum]

I clicked on $100 fine. It's small enough to be affordable if you're stupid enough to not carry your license and large enough to remind people that it is a law that you MUST carry it.

Personally I feel that most if not all penalties are way to lenient. You get caught with an illegal fish (oversized, undersized, over limit, etc.) first offense should be no less than $500. Second offense, permanent loss of hunting and fishing priveleges in every state and $1000's fine.

The fines you state are a little stiff I beleive . Seat belt fines are only 50 bucks and most cars have a audible alarm to help remind you to click it or ticket. Most sportsmen aren't trying to beat or cheat the system  and the older you get the more prone to forgetfullness we are.====OH !!!!! What was the subject matter.

[zamboni]

Jack- Seat belt fines in Minnesota are $120     So if you are ever cruising through, buckle up!!

[Lobes]

Jack- Seat belt fines in Minnesota are $120     So if you are ever cruising through, buckle up!!

On this note,
The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt in a serious accident can be much more costly. Before the seatbelt law was in place I was involved in an "end over end" roll over accident. My shoulder is still paying that fine more than 30 years later.

[bullgill]

I have never and will never take or keep illegal fish or game. As far as forgetting my license, if I ever do then I deserve to be fined. I usually have a license from 4-5 different states and Ontario and always carry them all with me.


  Re: Forgetting your licence
« Reply #6 on: Feb 27, 2007, 10:19 AM » Reply with quote 

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Quote from: eyedoktr on Feb 27, 2007, 10:10 AM
I clicked on $100 fine. It's small enough to be affordable if you're stupid enough to not carry your license and large enough to remind people that it is a law that you MUST carry it.

 
 Lighten up Francis!!!!!!!  This is not China!!!  I'm surprised you did not recommend 20 lashes right there on the ice!!!! Just because you forget something doesn't mean you are stupid, stupidity is thinking possesion of drugs is a lesser offense than not having your licence with you at all times (especially if your a "doktr"??!)

[Turkeyhunter10ga]

I think the officer should write a ticket for not having your license on you , or in you're vessel ( i.e. shanty or boat if applicable), most state require to be one your person. If you can prove to the court that you had a license at the time of the ticket and just not on you're person , it'll get waived in court.
Like someone said before , it's your responsibility to prove you have a license, not the game off

This about this - the game warden is checking everyone on a particular lake , and comes across 1 or 2 guys who say that they left the license at home or in the car and it's a 2 mile walk across the ice to parking lot. He takes they're word for it that they do have licenses and doesn't issue tickets. Even if the officer does write down they're personal info, if they even have an ID or Driver license on them, or was it left at home or in the car also.

These 2 guys haven't bought a license and are poaching without the officer knowing it.

Does the officer go to they're respective residences and issue a citation or arrest them if they haven't proved they had a license at the time of being stopped after a reasonable amount of time?
What if they gave fake names and addresses to the officer at the time of being checked since they didn't have a proper id at that time to actually prove who they were?

These 2 guys just got away with poaching and they knew it. The only way they'll get caught is to be checked by the same office later on a diff date or lake, a different officer wouldn't know that the 1st officer was had.

Sorry this was so long winded, but i'm sure you get the point.
Ticket now and pay up or prove not guilty later in court.

[zamboni]

On this note,
The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt in a serious accident can be much more costly. Before the seatbelt law was in place I was involved in an "end over end" roll over accident. My shoulder is still paying that fine more than 30 years later.

True- but in a state that does NOT have a helmet law for motorcyclists, isn't it a little extreme??

[Turkeyhunter10ga]

I think the officer should write a ticket for not having your license on you , or in you're vessel ( i.e. shanty or boat if applicable), most state require to be on your person. If you can prove to the court that you had a license at the time of the ticket and just not on you're person , it'll get waived in court.
Like someone said before , it's your responsibility to prove you have a license, not the game officer's

Think about this - the game warden is checking everyone on a particular lake , and comes across 1 or 2 guys who say that they left the license at home or in the car and it's a 2 mile walk across the ice to parking lot. He takes they're word for it that they do have licenses and doesn't issue tickets. Even if the officer does write down they're personal info, if they even have an ID or Driver license on them, or was it left at home or in the car also.

These 2 guys haven't bought a license and are poaching without the officer knowing it.

Does the officer go to they're respective residences and issue a citation or arrest them if they haven't proved they had a license at the time of being stopped after a reasonable amount of time?
What if they gave fake names and addresses to the officer at the time of being checked since they didn't have a proper id at that time to actually prove who they were?

These 2 guys just got away with poaching and they knew it. The only way they'll get caught is to be checked by the same office later on a diff date or lake, a different officer wouldn't know that the 1st officer was had.

Sorry this was so long winded, but i'm sure you get the point.
Ticket now and pay up or prove not guilty later in court.

[dabluz]

I think the officer should write a ticket for not having your license on you , or in you're vessel ( i.e. shanty or boat if applicable), most state require to be one your person. If you can prove to the court that you had a license at the time of the ticket and just not on you're person , it'll get waived in court.
Like someone said before , it's your responsibility to prove you have a license, not the game off

This about this - the game warden is checking everyone on a particular lake , and comes across 1 or 2 guys who say that they left the license at home or in the car and it's a 2 mile walk across the ice to parking lot. He takes they're word for it that they do have licenses and doesn't issue tickets. Even if the officer does write down they're personal info, if they even have an ID or Driver license on them, or was it left at home or in the car also.

These 2 guys haven't bought a license and are poaching without the officer knowing it.

Does the officer go to they're respective residences and issue a citation or arrest them if they haven't proved they had a license at the time of being stopped after a reasonable amount of time?
What if they gave fake names and addresses to the officer at the time of being checked since they didn't have a proper id at that time to actually prove who they were?

These 2 guys just got away with poaching and they knew it. The only way they'll get caught is to be checked by the same office later on a diff date or lake, a different officer wouldn't know that the 1st officer was had.

Sorry this was so long winded, but i'm sure you get the point.
Ticket now and pay up or prove not guilty later in court.

Great point.  When this sort of thing happened to me the only way that the problem can be resolved is to escort the persons to the cottage or car in order to get at least a minimum of info on their identity.  I would opt for the following solution for those who forgot their licence.  That is to appear in court with all their pertinent info and if they had had their licence at the time they were intercepted while fishing, the citation is waived off.  Their having to appear on a particular day at a particular time is punishment in itself.  They caused the inconvenience, they must have to also have to suffer an inconvenience.

[Lobes]

True- but in a state that does NOT have a helmet law for motorcyclists, isn't it a little extreme??

Actually we do have the helmet law in place. Where the Michigan law makers tripped on their dx was with the wording. You are supposed to wear a DOT approved helmet. We don't have a MI DOT approved helmet!

                                                     

[zamboni]

No, what I meant, is the seat belt fine is pretty steep here in Minnesota, where there is NO helmet law, kind of asanine, isn't it?

[bigfish_1556]

When it all boils down, it's really VERY SIMPLE and there should be absolutely no questions or excuses (we're all supposedly literate adults here).....buy your gosh-darn liscense (feel good about it), keep it on ya (I have it on my vex - which I'll be darned if I ever forget), and don't give anyone a hard time when they ask you for it. There's no excuse for "forgetting" your liscense, unless you're a kindergartner or something.  When you head out to slay some deer or waterfowl do you often forget your liscence? I doubt it.  Part and parcel.  No excuses in my book. There's no positive outcome of trying to "beat the man" on this one.  Do you part and follow the rules......BFD.  No room for whining here.

[dabluz]

I always have a list of things to bring.  My licence is inside my eyeglass case.  Inside the case, there are a pair of cheap 2X glasses which I sometimes use to tie knots.  The case is always in my main tackle bag.  However, I don't always carry ID with me.  It's usually in my van.

I guess someday, we will all carry an electronic chip in our arm.  The chip will be used for everything from buying candy to hospital records.

[Jack Magnum]

Jack- Seat belt fines in Minnesota are $120     So if you are ever cruising through, buckle up!!

Wow !!!! 120.00 Could buy a few lures with that ;DI always wear my belt. It actually keeps my ole body upright.

[PERCHPULLER]

A friend of mine was just busted in Jan on Red Lake in northern NY DEC officer gave him ticket and said to mail it in with a photocopy of license and it would be dismissed.Costed only price of stamp.

[Lobes]

No, what I meant, is the seat belt fine is pretty steep here in Minnesota, where there is NO helmet law, kind of asanine, isn't it?

Sounds like Minnesota law makers have a long range plan. I think they might be planning on instituting a law whereas motorcyclists won't be required to wear a helmet, but will be required to have a seat belt on (??).

                                                           

[MikeThePike]

We are all human and humans make mistakes. I've forgotten my liscence a few times but luckily was fishing a place only a few miles from home so it wasn't a big deal to go get it and come back.

Its more than fair to write a ticket if you can't produce your liscence because anyone can say they forgot theirs when they never bought one in the 1st place. If wardens took everyones word than why would anyone ever buy one?

Upon showing proof that you do indeed have a liscence, wether it be in court or faxing it to the warden, the ticket should be dropped or atleast lessened as you did spend you money and bought it. It depends on the state and how they word it. Some states you have to have it on you, others you have to have it displayed at all times, ect ect. I know guys who were hassled by wardens for having their liscences in their pockets when in that state they must be displayed. They are simply doing their jobs even though at times we forget this and think they are just out to get us (not saying some aren't  )

[zamboni]

Sounds like Minnesota law makers have a long range plan. I think they might be planning on instituting a law whereas motorcyclists won't be required to wear a helmet, but will be required to have a seat belt on (??).

                                                           

Yeah, thats my point, I don't get that either- kind of stupid isn't it? I always buckle up. I haven't figured out yet why the seat belt fines so high, but the motorcyclists get by without helmets.

[eyedoktr]

off topic but......

I don't feel that govt. should be able to tell us what they think is good for us. Seatbelt and helmet use should be our decision. I feel that anyone driving a car should be wearing a seatbelt as you will not have any control if you're rolling around the seat. But govt. should not mandate it. As far as helmets go, that too should be the rider's choice. Personally, if I was ever to get in an accident with a motorcyclist (I pray to God it never happens), I hope they are NOT wearing a helmet. Without a helmet they will probably just splatter on my windshield. With a helmet, they would probably go right through the windshield injuring those in my vehicle.

Too many laws telling us what we should think and do.

[icewagon]

Here in Pennsylvania , get your licence on line print or save copy's carry one in your wallet at all times .

[mcarolan]

I keep mine in my wallet at ALL times now because you never know what kind of day the warden's had.

Seen that first hand too 1 warden said nothing and let it go couple of days later different warden went nuts over a smaller unrelated matter!

[deadsmelthead]

It's not a matter of getting anyone off the hook.  If you purchased a license then it instantly goes into the NY state database and you're legal.  If not then you get a fine, ant that gets tracked in the database also.  The more times you get caught the more you pay.



We have the technology in place, lets use it.  As far as your thoughts on fines and losing privileges, ask the Bosnians that are invading our local lakes if they have a license or care about the size and quantity limits.  I've seen them get arrested at one location and drive off to another only to do the same thing again, night after night.

I was with ya up until the Bosnian thing, You say an ethnic group is invading our lakes, well it is now theirs too. Somewhere in everyones family history somebody came to the good ole U S of A from another land how do you think you got here? Where I work I have 3 that work for me they are the nicest guys in the world, I have been fishing and hunting with them all, they are some of the most ethical outdoorsman I have ever come across and everyone of them pays for a license.

[zamboni]

EYEDOKTR-

That part about the Govt getting involved was Jesse Venturas point as well, he was handed the bill that made it possible for cops to pull people over for seat belt infractions only, but he vetoed it numerous times. Before the cops had to pull you over for something else, and then give you a seat belt ticket, that's all changes now, they can pull you over for not having it on, then give you your $120 ticket. Ventura actually wasn't that bad of a governor, alot better than Arnold from what I hear.

[dabluz]

off topic but......

I don't feel that govt. should be able to tell us what they think is good for us. Seatbelt and helmet use should be our decision. I feel that anyone driving a car should be wearing a seatbelt as you will not have any control if you're rolling around the seat. But govt. should not mandate it. As far as helmets go, that too should be the rider's choice. Personally, if I was ever to get in an accident with a motorcyclist (I pray to God it never happens), I hope they are NOT wearing a helmet. Without a helmet they will probably just splatter on my windshield. With a helmet, they would probably go right through the windshield injuring those in my vehicle.

Too many laws telling us what we should think and do.

Seat belt and helmet laws are there to save lives and save money too.  Just a simple fall without a helmet can cause severe damage.  It costs a lot of money in medical care and some of the costs are paid by tax payers.  Same thing with seat belts.  Under normal driving situations, they prevent severe bodily damage thus the cost for medical care is reduced.

Here in Canada, medical care is free.  In reality, it's not free.  Everybody pays for medical care through taxes, licence fees etc etc.

I have a motorcycle.  Have had motorcycles for over 40 years.  Yes, it was fun cruising downtown without a helmet in the old days, but it is much more comfortable with a helmet...especially at highway speeds.

[PERCHPULLER]

I always wear my helmet when fishing and carry my fishing license when riding my bike

[ice dawg]

No, what I meant, is the seat belt fine is pretty steep here in Minnesota, where there is NO helmet law, kind of asanine, isn't it?

I think it is pretty asinine to have to have politicians make laws because people can't be responsible enough to wear their seatbelts or helmets. I'll bet that if the insurance companies refused to pay medical expenses incurred in an accident where a person is injured due to not wearing their safety equipment things would change in a hurry. 

[OTIS]

I was with ya up until the Bosnian thing, You say an ethnic group is invading our lakes, well it is now theirs too. Somewhere in everyones family history somebody came to the good ole U S of A from another land how do you think you got here? Where I work I have 3 that work for me they are the nicest guys in the world, I have been fishing and hunting with them all, they are some of the most ethical outdoorsman I have ever come across and everyone of them pays for a license.

I don't have anything against any ethnic groups.  I live in an ethnically diverse neighborhood, have an ethnically diverse family, and my wife teaches in a school with students from something like 26 different nationalities.  Heck, I'm only a third generation American myself.  But when I continuously see a specific group of guys breaking the law over and over without concern for the environment or others, what can I say.  I in no way think that all Bosnians are like this group of individuals that frequent the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, but these guys are not concerned with the law or conservation.

[shrub]

around here the Warden will generally give you 3 weeks to mail it to him or he will fine you. i think that is the way it should be.


as a side note, anybody who says that they will "never keep any illegal fish" is border line unethical if catch a fish that is under the legal size limit and it gets the Ben's syndrome and wont go down the hole is it legal to keep it? no is it ethical to throw it in hole and leave it there? not in my opinion, id keep the fish and take my chances. with most wardens i think if you did not hide the fish and told them why you kept it and that you know it is illegal that they would probably let you off with a warning.

[lotwfisher]

I agree with you shrub, i dont like knowing that the fish is just going to sink to the bottom. I figure its gonna get eaten either way, and as long as I am not going over my limit ( I usually stay one fish under my limit incase of a situation anyways) I will take it home and put it to use on my dinner table...