license question

My wife wants to tag along with me on a hunt to see what it is like. She does not have a license and is not going to be hunting or helping. Just sitting and watching. Does she need to have a licesne or anything to just watch and keep me company? Been trying to find a clear answer.

P M sent

I'm interested in this answer too. My wife doesn't want to hunt, but she has offered to come and help handle our dog. I'm guessing working a dog would be considered hunting, too, even if the law says it's ok to be in the blind as a non-shooter.

Jeff I'd also like your take on this. I've done some research but would like to confirm.

Thank!

We had a scenario last year where a friend was going to go and just call for my son and his buddy. The guy did not want to buy a Type 2 to hunt, we called the local game warden and was told if he was not hunting then that would be fine. I would recommend to not have a back up gun in your possession.

I would call the local game warden instead of listening to all of us. Just a piece of mind.

PM sent

I took my wife with me quail hunting last weekend. I told her we'd stop and get her a license. She insisted she didn't need one because she wasn't hunting, just taking pictures. I didn't want any hassle if we ran into a warden, so we stopped and got her a license. No big deal

The FAQ on your website says non-shooters are required to have a license and duck stamp. Was this learned the hard way or is it interpretation? Genuinely interested. You can send me a PM too, if you like.

I haven't read any regs but I think no way a non hunter needs a license. You don't need a license to fish if you're in a boat and someone else is fishing. You don't need a driver's license to ride in a car. I think some or all of APH land is access ONLY by license-- regardless of activity, that's different. If you're hunting a public lake, river, or bay, or on private land, she doesn't need one.

Totally agree, but I'm sure it's been addressed in the field before and I can see it going both ways, even though I would disagree with non-hunters needing a license.

No, not in any circumstance does a non-hunter need a license if they truly aren't hunting. There is no two ways about it. Not hunting, not fishing, no license needed. I do agree that I wouldn't have an extra shotgun behind them, but in the absence of them picking it up and shooting it, there is no violation. It is nonsense to think you need to buy your spouse a license because they are watching you hunt.

If a GW says your spouse without a gun is hunting, then I would expect to have a two man limit in my possession and it be legal, which we all know isn't going to happen.

X2.... that's why it's called a Hunting or Fishing license. Plus you don't have to have a type 2 unless you are hunting. If you want to go scout, you do not have to have a type 2 permit...but you better not have a gun with you that can be a legal means of taking an animal. I've got a friend of mine that is a GW and I asked him about it

If by type 2, your talking about the now called APH permit, non hunters or hunters wanting to scout before buying an APH permit for most areas still need at least the LPU permit.
"A $12 Limited Public Use (LPU) Permit provides access to the same areas as the APH at a reduced cost for fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching, picnicking, wildlife viewing and equestrian use"

Another wrench in the works if hunting a WMA or APH unit is the non hunter would be required to wear hunter orange. Only the licensed hunter would be exempt from the requirement for hunting migratory birds.
"Notice: to archery hunters and recreational users: You must wear hunter orange during daylight hours at any time when firearm hunting for any species is authorized on the unit."

As for the hunting license, the person tagging along and not hunting of course does not need a license. But know the moment a GW sees them holding a shotgun, the assumption will be that they are hunting, so just use some common sense.

I always figured the only reason people had non-hunters buy a license was to attempt to kill over the limit Sorry to see people buying licenses that don't need them.

Another reason to get the wife a license, She'll already have a license next time we go fishing. Yes I did have her get a super combo. And she will be holding a fishing rod

How much is the license? Can you benefit more from obtaining the license. If the license is a small nominal fee and you can get more that you money out of it, then do it. For example, you can now get the double the limit. If your wife can shoot, I would prefer she hold a gun and shoot snakes. A trip to the ER is cheaper than a hunting license.

Hahaha yup there it is right there...

Playing with fire..

That and you can now kill 30 birds.

Heck,
I've never killed 1 limit, so 2 is out of the question.

I've never been on a WMA or Public Hunting Land without other hunters. The OP is the only person I've heard of. Type 2 is what I've always heard and called WMA's or APH land. The Limited Access Permit is something I've never heard of. I'm not in any means saying you are wrong. If that's the case, then the GW needs to enforce it.