Section 63.2. Display of fishing license and verification of license purchase

(a) Officers designated to check licenses. A person fishing in waters of this Commonwealth or in boundary waters shall show his fishing license upon the request of a waterways conservation officer, deputy waterways conservation officer or other officer authorized to enforce the code or this title under section 903 of the code (relating to delegation of enforcement powers).

(b) Display on an outer garment. It is unlawful for a person required by Chapter 27 of the code (relating to fishing licenses) to purchase a fishing license to fish in the waters of this Commonwealth or in boundary waters unless the person displays the license certificate, a license button or other device approved by the Executive Director on a hat or outer garment while fishing. A warning will be issued for a first violation of this section if the person has a valid fishing license in his possession and about his person and shows it upon request. An institutional license issued under section 2708 of the code (relating to institutional licenses) may be displayed or maintained by the person fishing or by the person attending the person who is fishing. If a license button or other device is displayed instead of the license certificate, the person shall carry the license certificate about his person.

(c) Fishing without a license in possession.

(1) When a resident of this Commonwealth is apprehended for fishing without a license in his possession and claims that he previously purchased a valid fishing license for that year, the officer apprehending the individual shall give the individual 7 days to produce the original of the license certificate, if the individual provides to the officer’s satisfaction, at the time of apprehension, positive proof of identity and a residence address within this Commonwealth. The original license certificate shall show all required permits and a purchase date and time prior to the date and time of apprehension.

(2) If it is inconvenient for the individual to produce the certificate in person, the officer may permit the individual to mail the original license certifi-cate to the officer together with a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. If the officer permits the individual to mail the original license certificate to the officer, the officer shall provide the individual with a receipt or other documentation allowing the individual to fish during the period that the original license certificate is not in his possession.

(3) Upon receipt of the original license certificate, the officer shall examine and verify it and return it to the licensee.

(4) If the person apprehended fails to send the original license certificate and required permits to the officer within the time allotted, the officer shall institute summary proceedings against the individual in the manner prescribed by law.

The provisions of this § 63.2 adopted May 23, 1980, effective January 1, 1981, 10 Pa.B. 2051; amended January 23, 1981, effective January 24, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 422; amended March 5, 1982, effective March 6, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 870; amended January 6, 1984, effective January 7, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 46; amended June 6, 1986, effective June 7, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2021; amended April 10, 1998, effective April 11, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 1753; amended September 19, 2014, effective September 20, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 5970. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (369872) and (371363).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 63.2 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § 2703.