Can Wildlife Officers Check my Fishing License by my CDL?

February 4, 2016

Question: While buying my license recently, I was told by the vendor that we no longer need to carry our fishing licenses with us. He said wildlife officers can now scan people’s California driver licenses (CDL) to verify the purchase. Is this true? (Rick B.)

Answer: No, you are still required to have your actual sport fishing license in possession while fishing (CCR Title 14, section 700) and to present your actual license upon request to any wildlife officer who asks (FGC, section 2012). CDFW wildlife officers do not carry CDL scanners.

Why not????????

Seriously why not just have a license with picture then carrying a 4' paper that fades....BS

Seriously, I scratch my head when people get bent because this isn't the status quo, It's just my opinion, the rule is I have to carry my license, folded it's so small and light I forget it's in my wallet, my wallet is always with me.

We all want to reduce government cost so why do you want to burden a warden with looking you up because you don't want to be responsible to carry your license.

What happens where there's no cell reception. 

just buy a wallet dedicated to fishing licence/report cards+2nd rod stamps and throw it in your tackle box or in a waders pocket and your all good. works for me I have never forgotten mine since I started doing this. My2 ct.

It is silly that they can't look up your license via a CDL.  Its 2016.  Even without cell reception, having a database of all fish and game licenses is trivial.  Its not just silly from a consumer perspective - it would be a great law enforcement tool.

Really.  It isn't technologically hard and it should be standard.

I met a nice warden the other day and was chagrined .  I did not have my licnes of steelhead card with me.  Not in it's usual pocket!!  He said "Yo come here a lot?'' I say every time I can.  He says, I'll see you again show me next time. No ticket.

Ticket is a misdemeanor.  Hefty fine and hassle.   Good  good new guy named Rich Walker.

Bushy

Approached and asked to see my license while a mile offshore in windy conditions I handed my license all folded into a plastic sleeve. They proceeded to unfold all five feet of it and found it to be a current license. Then they tried to hand it back to me all unfolded. I told them to put it back in the plastic folder just as I had handed it to them. I said I didn't make that pos they did. Hahaha. Yes they put it back in. Cheerfully too I might add.

The shouldnt link it to your drivers license. How would you like to be on a state database that is linked to DMV for your hunting license lets see pretty much everyone will know you have a firearm and your address. For fishing license you have fishing poles and gear maybe a boat. Hell if I was a thief I would target all those people ... kayaks, mirage drives, fishing poles, go pros, Ya lets link em to DMV.

I've gone all the way around on the issue, and now I think it is kind of a cool thing that the DFW still require possession of the license. It's quaint and old-timey

then again, yesterday I was described as a Luddite

then again, yesterday I was described as a Luddite

 

I saw that...

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

. I told them to put it back in the plastic folder just as I had handed it to them. I said I didn't make that pos they did. Hahaha. Yes they put it back in. Cheerfully too I might add.

Right on. They got served-u gots protected.  With a smile, perfecto.

They can look up your license with your CDL so you can pay 10 bucks for a duplicate. That's awesome, since only a few years ago you had to hope you had the carbon copy from when you bought it. Just carry you license like always, you don't have to display it anymore but maybe make it a habit like we used to of having it visable. That way you won't forget it. If you do forget it, most times you will be fine so long as you can prove you had one. Just a hassle, but hey they are protecting our pastimes from scum bag poachers. So give them a break.

I met a nice warden the other day and was chagrined .  I did not have my licnes of steelhead card with me.  Not in it's usual pocket!!  He said "Yo come here a lot?'' I say every time I can.  He says, I'll see you again show me next time. No ticket.

Ticket is a misdemeanor.  Hefty fine and hassle.   Good  good new guy named Rich Walker.

Bushy

Make sure to fill out your steelhead card before you start fishing. I learnt the hard way a few years back [emoji45]. Not all wardens are so forgiving.