PA fishing license question

Are you considered to be legal when fishing if you have a photocopy of you license displayed? I have seen many people with a white copy in the holder while along the streams.

And does it have to be purchased online to have multiple copies?

I believe that you need to display the "original" license.
So I don't think a photocopy of a store bought license would be acceptable.
 
If you "misplace" your yellow license, they will replace it for a fee.
 
The white ones you see are probably internet licenses (printed on plain paper), and you should be able to print multiple copies that should be considered as the "original". (I think you can even save the file as a .pdf on your computer for future printing!)
 
It's been a while since I've bought one on the internet, but thought they indicated that it was purchased on-line...maybe somebody that has one can look and chime in.

ORIGINAL: Pork

ORIGINAL: rollcaster

When you purchase it online it prints out white.

Not if you have yellow paper for your printer....

ORIGINAL: Erie Mako

I believe that you need to display the "original" license.
So I don't think a photocopy of a store bought license would be acceptable.

If you "misplace" your yellow license, they will replace it for a fee.

The white ones you see are probably internet licenses (printed on plain paper), and you should be able to print multiple copies that should be considered as the "original". (I think you can even save the file as a .pdf on your computer for future printing!)

It's been a while since I've bought one on the internet, but thought they indicated that it was purchased on-line...maybe somebody that has one can look and chime in.

Here's the accompanying text from my online purchased license.....

PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
LICENSE DOCUMENT
CLICK ON THE PRINT BUTTON TO PRINT YOUR LICENSE
After printing, close this window [x] and select "Return Home" or "Print Receipt"
Your license is printed below. To legally use your license, you must follow these instructions:
1. Sign your license. Licenses are not valid until signed.
2. Cut along the outside border (dotted lines) of the license, then fold as indicated. (Note: Should you choose to
laminate your license document, you MUST ensure that BOTH sections of the license are visible for display to a law
enforcement officer.)
3. Display this license on an outer garment while you are participating in the activity covered by the license and provide
it to a law enforcement officer upon request. You are strongly encouraged to carry photo identification in addition to
your license, as law enforcement officers may require additional identification during routine license checks.
4. State law prohibits you from borrowing or loaning this license to anyone.
5. State law prohibits you from altering, modifying or changing any information contained on this document by any electronic means.

No where do I see where color matters & no where on my license does it specify weather it was an online purchase or not.
Looks just like a 'regular' license.
Also doesn't say you can't save it & print multiple copies, just that you can't modify it electronically.

I don't honestly know the answer to the original post, but it seems to me, it doesn't matter. I've got 5 copies of mine...all white.
Never had an issue.

That's kinda what I was thinking. They have the CID # in case there is an issue. That would be customer identification something or other, I would wager.

I emailed the commish to check....
but it doesn't say "DO NOT SAVE" or "DO NOT COPY", just "DO NOT MODIFY ELECTRONICALLY"

I just don't see how it's ok for online purchases to print multiples,
but point of sale purchased licenses can't be copied?
Seems strange
...we'll see...if they answer

By saving the page in a word processing file. Then editing the info before printing?

Got a reply...
it appears internet licensing is the way to go, as it's ok to save the .pdf of the license & reprint if lost.
Would save the lost license fee for having it replaced.
But you can't have multiple copies printed out....I've destroyed my extras to meet compliance.

Anyway, here's the email from the fish commision:

Thank you for your email question. You have a great question. Regarding the internet licenses, from a law enforcement standpoint they obviously do not want you to make copies. But what you're saying is exactly right, the form could be saved and printed at a later time. For the licenses that are standard yellow licenses that you receive when you purchase from an agent those definitely can not be copied and law enforcement can tell because of the paper they are printed on. Because of tampering with the license they will not allow either type to be copied. Hope this helps and if you need anything else please let me know.

Huh !

ORIGINAL: spoonchucker

By saving the page in a word processing file. Then editing the info before printing?

Guess I forgot to use my sarcasm font...