It behooves us anglers to do some additional homework, especially when traveling out of state. Seven years ago, six western states created the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which allows convicted poachers to have their hunting or fishing privileges revoked in all member states simultaneously.

Now the compact numbers 26 states, with 10 additional contemplating joining.

Unfamiliarity will not qualify you as a hardened poacher, but I wouldn’t take any chances, especially if you’re planning some much anticipated pilgrimage to Montana or Alaska. Each state exchanges its poacher information and your home state will be notified if you’re convicted out of state. It’s the “Angling Interpol” and it’s snaking it’s way to your doorstep.

“Oh, man, it killed me,” said Thurman, of Boise, who missed annual fishing trips this summer to Washington, Oregon and Montana. “It canceled my privilege of going into the mountains, really.”

It’s safe to assume that any fish related to those Mr. Thurman was convicted of snagging were doing somersaults of grief…

What’s unique to this process is the law you violated may not be against the law in your home state. It won’t matter, local authorities will revoke your license just the same.

What’s incumbent on us angling louts is to ensure we pick our fishing buddies carefully, some Brother-In-Law with a “heat on” may be stupid enough to get the both of you in trouble.

It’s one thing to step on my rod while inebriated, we’re blood kin – and I can overlook that…but you get my license suspended for a year, and once free of the courthouse – you’ll sleep with the fishes.

I will apologize profusely to your sister…

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