How Can I Prove that a Fish is a Gift?

December 20,  2018

Question: My sister and I were at the lake recently, and a friendly angler offered us a freshly caught fish to take home. We had no way of keeping it cold, so we turned down the nice offer. Later, I wondered if it would have even been legal for us to take it, since we don’t have fishing licenses. What would have happened if we’d taken the fish, and been stopped by a warden on the way home? (Shelley)

Answer: It’s legal for a licensed angler to “gift” you fish. But you’re correct that a wildlife officer might have questioned where the fish came from if you couldn’t produce a fishing license. To avoid a misunderstanding in such circumstances, you need to have the angler write down his or her name, contact information and fishing license number. This way an officer could easily contact the angler to verify your story and ensure you’re in legal possession of the fish.

This post is all kinds of stupid lol. 1st of all why wd a warden stop Shelleys ass on the way home?  Assume Shelley is driving. The wardens primary jurisdiction is not to issue traffic stops for purpose of vehicle code infractions or citations.

Second, even if a warden pulld her dumbass over, why tf wd it come out that she was in possession of a gifted trout unless dumbass volunteered the info?  Even my 5 yo knows to invoke his 5th amendment rt to remain silent and ask for a lawyer if hes ever detained.

Third, the burden is always on the state and law enforcement to prove all elements of an infraction or crime. Why TF would anyone think its necessary to carry around a handwritten scrap of paper purprotedly documenting custodial exchange of a fish lawfully taken by a licnsed angler LMAO. If it was a crime merely to possess and transport fish that we didnt angle ourselves, bess dont ever throw away ur grocery receipts

Fourth, whoever responded to the question needs 2 get a fing lyfe!!  Need 2 have the angler write down his name...Officer cd easily contact...  Dafuq outta here!!!

Thx 4 the laffs uncle hojo keep em cmng 

That's hilarious.  Numba waaan, you are #1!