I want to start this by saying my encounter with the DNR officer was a great experience… He was professional and courteous…
Coming back in from offshore Thursday to wapoo as we approached the dock the officer was pulling into the parking lot. Everything we kept was well over legal, had all my safety equipment. However I seem to have lost my paper fishing license… Before leaving on the morning of I went online to purchase another, but it said I already had an active license. So I didn’t purchase one, thinking DNR should be able to access my info with a Valid ID. However, my written warning for no license says otherwise. He understood my situation and didn’t write me a fine or take my fish or boat. Which I’m definitely greatful for.
I’m curious as to why DNR can only use those cheap paper copy licenses for proof. Why can’t they reference my DL number which they get with the application? There’s got to be a better way to validate legal sportsmen these days…
They can access it. I didn’t have my shrimping license with me one time and the guy called it in to verify I had purchased. Still got a warning but he knew I was legal.
DNR leo’s can access your license info easily and quickly.its about proving to your boss that your doing your job. I have had my share of silly warning tickets – but I am pleased that they’re only warnings.
Seems to me, that you don’t even have to have a State License if you were over 3 miles out! If you have anything onboard that can be caught inshore, they would have to prove you caught it in State Waters? Someone correct me if I’m wrong! Of course they could/would put you through hoops doing it:smiley:
quote:Seems to me, that you don't even have to have a State License if you were over 3 miles out! If you have anything onboard that can be caught inshore, they would have to prove you caught it in State Waters? Someone correct me if I'm wrong! Of course they could/would put you through hoops doing it
Well, the laws also have to do with possession. Even if caught beyond 3 miles, once within that distance proving where you caught the fish becomes your problem. IMO, the officer may have wanted to simply give you something to think about.
I’ve yet to encounter a DNR officer here in SC, but back in MD had contact with them plenty of times while out fishing or hunting. Never had an issue or a bad experience. They were always professional & courteous and used common sense. I’ve heard stories of others having bad experiences with the DNR, but that’s never been my experience with them.
I used to do a lot of fur trapping & once didn’t have my back tag on me, or my wallet with paper license in it while checking some traps. I had left both in my truck which was within eye sight of where the officer was talking with me. I had talked to this same officer many times. When he asked to see my license, I realized I didn’t have it on me, and told him if he would walk over to the truck with me I could show it too him. I had lost my wallet a few days before while in the woods, and had to go searching for it. That’s why I had left it in the truck. He said no, he believed me, but his partner may not if he stops to check me. He could have written me a citation & fined me, but he knew me from previous encounters & I always had my license on me. He was simply doing his job. From then on I made sure I had it in my possession. Lesson learned.
IMO those folks want to catch the “criminal” offenders, those who will blatantly & intentionall
They can get your license info over the phone. I was stopped hunting one year and couldn’t find my paper license. He called it in, verified I was legal and I was on my way. Quick ,simple and a positive experience.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Good post BigJim. I agree with you. If I get caught without my license, it’s my fault, not the LEOs. They have a job to do and they generally do it very well. A warning ticket is reasonable.
We’re supposed to have the boat registration with us at all times too. I got a warning about that a few years back. Had everything else as required even extra lifejackets. We were only about 1/4 mile from where the registration was at the launch site. I offered to let the LEO keep my fishing partner as insurance that I’d get it bring it back to him. He said no problem and wrote me a warning instead. Fishing partner didn’t think that was funny! Most of these guys are very reasonable and will try not to spook the fish when checking us on the water. I do feel like they’re stretched a little thin and could use more officers.
I will say that if their computer system is no better than mine at work, they may not have been able to access the database. I never know what I am going to get when I boot up in the morning. So many filters, firewalls and security that you can barely get to what you need to do your job.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
I don’t want anyone to think that I’m not accepting the responsibility… rather I TRIED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER LICENSE DAY OF online… it WOULDN’t let me… stating I already had one. I guess that’s where my question comes in… I would have purchased another online if it would have let me… printed it… and had a nice day… Also, The officer was VERY kind and I thanked him for doing his job. I’m a Paramedic, and have many LEO friends and work side by side with these guys daily. Tough job, rarely are they the person someone wants to see… whether someone is victim or offender… LEO usually associated with someone having a not so great day. My question was really one of How could we effect change to improve the system? Should I be able to buy duplicate liscenses? Should I be able to print proof that I have one, since the online system obviously knows I do? should we go to an ID card system? I wanted to make this officer’s job easier by being compliant. This officer was kind and said that he didn’t think I was a law breaker… Likely as someone suggested, the written warning was to prove to some superior they were doing their job. There was someone at the ramp just after me that apparently didn’t have such a nice evening. However, I’ll leave it at that description.
“The Wet Dream”
20’ Pioneer 197
150hp Suzuki 4-Stroke
The DNR guys are usually really nice about this even though they don’t have to be. It’s their job to uphold the law simply put. If you fish, you require a fishing license. The burden of proof that you actually have a license is your responsibility. Not theirs.
Less than $30 for a thermal laminator:
Make color copies to keep on boat & in bag you may bring on any other boat. Originals @ home.
-ID
-vessel & trailer-state registrations
-vessel & trailer-insurance companies (enlarged Boat US or Sea Tow card - both sides)
-Federal (USCG & NOAA)- Cert. of Doc. & HMS Permit
-MMSI & EPIRB info
-Local area-medical, marine and good gin-mills’ contact info
-MARPOL Annex V & Oil Discharge placards
-State fishing & Landing permits
Keep a current DNR (or whatever agency it happens to be) pamphlet of fishing regulations. Also search up to date regulations.
I also keep a laminated cheat-sheet for:
-VHS-comms. & DSC info
-Ditch bag gear-simple instructions (EPIRB, standby-VHS & GPS, flares)
-Chart Plotter use-in the event I go off-line and the folks with me need to operate the vessel back to the nearest port.
LEO visit will transpire more easily by producing the full Monty of Docs. unless improper safety gear, operations or limits are observed. Then ya gotta zip-it and pay the Man.
The DNR guys are usually really nice about this even though they don’t have to be. It’s their job to uphold the law simply put. If you fish, you require a fishing license. The burden of proof that you actually have a license is your responsibility. Not theirs.
I just leave mine in my wallet at all times, but for those that don’t, I wonder if a pic of it on your phone would be acceptable as a back up should you not have a hard copy with you?
DNR leo’s can access your license info easily and quickly.its about proving to your boss that your doing your job.
I’ve been stopped by Charleston County water cops a couple times before while on a charter. They have never asked for licenses (?) only safety check and registration. I never carry ID with me and while they ask for it, when I say I don’t have it, they always just say OK.
However - both times I got some silly written paper with my boat info, location, time of day, area, and RACE. When I asked why they bother doing this if I am legal, the answer is, “We do it to prove where we have been patrolling and to show we aren’t racial profiling.”
