Friendly reminder 😊

[beauhunter]

I know bearpaw mentioned this at one point, but just a heads up if you are planning to hunt in any of the n.e units 113, 105 and so on you must have a copy of successful completion of the bear identification on your person. And no showing them on your cell phone is not sufficient,  you will get fined!

[Bango skank]

I know bearpaw mentioned this at one point, but just a heads up if you are planning to hunt in any of the n.e units 113, 105 and so on you must have a copy of successful completion of the bear identification on your person. And no showing them on your cell phone is not sufficient,  you will get fined!

The regs say you need proof, they dont say you need it printed.  Sounds to me like on the phone is fine.

[bearpaw]

I know bearpaw mentioned this at one point, but just a heads up if you are planning to hunt in any of the n.e units 113, 105 and so on you must have a copy of successful completion of the bear identification on your person. And no showing them on your cell phone is not sufficient,  you will get fined!

I wonder why they won't honor an electronic record on the phone? I have quite a lot of interaction with wardens in Idaho and we text them photos of licenses, notched tags, etc. 

[Bango skank]

Where are you guys seeing that you must carry a printed out paper copy?

[beauhunter]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

[Bango skank]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Well the regs dont specify printed proof, and ive gotten nonsense answers about things by calling wdfw before.  With the regs not specifying printed, im not worried.  Id fight it if i got a ticket, and id win.

[TheStovePipeKid]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Well the regs dont specify printed proof, and ive gotten nonsense answers about things by calling wdfw before.  With the regs not specifying printed, im not worried.  Id fight it if i got a ticket, and id win.

I've been given rubbish info by calling as well. And when I say rubbish I really mean it. I email any questions I have so I can save the response and it seems to get better quality answers. All things considered I'd print my proof as well just to save time in the field.

[beauhunter]

5 min or less to print vs headache and court date and time lost I printed mine. I wish everyone good luck out there and hope we can put some predators down

[bearpaw]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Thanks for advising everyone! 

[h20hunter]

A great reminder regardless of how you show your proof. Thanks gor posting.

[pd]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Well the regs dont specify printed proof, and ive gotten nonsense answers about things by calling wdfw before.  With the regs not specifying printed, im not worried.  Id fight it if i got a ticket, and id win.

Amen.

[Billy74]

Just took it tonight and when you’re done it says you must print and keep a copy with you while hunting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bango skank]

Just took it tonight and when you’re done it says you must print and keep a copy with you while hunting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well ill be damned, i didnt catch that when i took the test.  They should specify that in the regs pamphlet.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Well the regs dont specify printed proof, and ive gotten nonsense answers about things by calling wdfw before.  With the regs not specifying printed, im not worried.  Id fight it if i got a ticket, and id win.

Amen.

 

[TheStovePipeKid]

I'll send in an email and see if they'll add it to the digital regs with the next round of updates. They've been really spot on correcting errors whenever I've reached out. And yes, thanks for posting.

Updated: I've added the message displayed upon test completion for posterity. As Bango pointed out, it does not specify you must have a paper copy vs a digital copy.

[KFhunter]

I printed mine, shrunk it down to 2x2 inches and taped it to my transport tag.

Although I agree with Bango, he'd win in court. (This year anyways)

[Ghost Hunter]

I printed mine, shrunk it down to 2x2 inches and taped it to my transport tag.

Although I agree with Bango, he'd win in court. (This year anyways)

I did the same.  No need for me to think about the argument.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Here is what I sent to the licensing department Saturday:
"Greetings, 

 I am writing in regards to bear identification certificates that a hunter receives upon successful completion of the the official identification test. Within the regulations and upon completion of the test the hunter is instructed to carry proof of completion on their person while hunting in the specified GMU's. It does not clearly state that the certificate must be in printed paper format. Many hunters carry electronic devices, such as a personal cell phone, that are capable of displaying a digital copy with name and Wild I.D. as provided by the offical website. I'm hoping for further clarification of the expectation as well as a request that the verbiage be clarified on the website and in the regulations to denote whether digital is or is not allowed. Thank you for your time and have a marvelous weekend."

Here is what I received today:
"Thank you for contacting the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

 The regulations state that you must carry proof of passing the test with you. You will want to print and take the printed copy with you. No other licenses or certificates are accepted on your phone in Washington. So keeping a copy on your phone only will leave the decision up to the enforcement officer’s discretion"

So there you have it. I consider it a non answer. I think we need to start advocating to get the WDFW into the 21st century where electronics are concerned and be definitive in the RCW's.

[Ghost Hunter]

Seems clear to me. 

[pianoman9701]

My information came straight from wdfw, I called before we went out 509 8921001, I was just passing the info I received. Take the chance if you want but the warden I spoke to said that cell phone proof was not going to be sufficient

Well the regs dont specify printed proof, and ive gotten nonsense answers about things by calling wdfw before.  With the regs not specifying printed, im not worried.  Id fight it if i got a ticket, and id win.

Yes and probably less hassle if you had a paper copy. 

[birddogdad]

another legal layer to the fines. Reminds me of the sign your registration ticket too... guess its a new way to write tickets rather than electronic. maybe the area hunting has terrible wifi/ radio connectivity for the wardens to link and check your license info?

[Bango skank]

Since it was posted where it says you must print it out, i went ahead and did so, down to business card size, laminated, put in wallet.  I still think its dumb that an electronic copy on your phone isnt good enough.  I mean, a copy of it printed out on a home computer is no more "proof" than an electronic copy.  If i could make an electronic forgery, i could certainly print it out too.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Since it was posted where it says you must print it out, i went ahead and did so, down to business card size, laminated, put in wallet.  I still think its dumb that an electronic copy on your phone isnt good enough.  I mean, a copy of it printed out on a home computer is no more "proof" than an electronic copy.  If i could make an electronic forgery, i could certainly print it out too.

My thoughts exactly. The certificate is pretty basic and includes information about each hunter that is readily available on their license. All I would need was a few minutes and a picture of someone else's certificate. At wallet size I wouldn't even need a good picture. Of course in the time it took to forge one I learned how to identify bears, sex them in the field, and took the test. All this work and I don't even have a bear tag.

[beauhunter]

 Well I took my boys out Saturday morning and both of them capitalized and put down bears, there is no doubt that the bears are thick but probably not for long after the Huckleberrys dry out. However while I was in the field I tried to go to my login and had no service to see my bear I.d cert. But the boys both printed theirs.

[redi]

Congrats on the boys getting bears

[beauhunter]

Thanks, we are considering getting a couple more tags. We were only out a total of 3hrs and saw 3 bears and shot 2.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Well I took my boys out Saturday morning and both of them capitalized and put down bears, there is no doubt that the bears are thick but probably not for long after the Huckleberrys dry out. However while I was in the field I tried to go to my login and had no service to see my bear I.d cert. But the boys both printed theirs.

You can save the certificate as a pdf and view it on your phone at any time that way. Also, nice bears

[WildlifeAssassin]

If WDFW wanted to do hunters a favor and simplify the stack of papers we have to carry around maybe just add a little bear icon to your license if you pass the test before buying your license.

[beauhunter]

I don't see why it wouldn't pop up on any wardens computer when they make a contact with us in the field, or just make it a mandatory test before you can purchase the bear tag. They don't make anyone take a wolf identification test before you go out for coyotes, and I think far more people would mistake a young wolf for a coyote then a grizzly for a black bear