87-6-305. Unlawful possession of hunting or fishing license or permit. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person commits the offense of unlawful possession of a hunting or fishing license or permit if the person knowingly carries or has physical control over a valid and unused:
     (a) hunting license or permit issued to another person while in any location that the species to be hunted may inhabit;
     (b) resident hunting license or permit or resident fishing license or permit issued to a nonresident; or
     (c) hunting license or permit or fishing license or permit that was issued in violation of applicable law or rule.
     (2) The prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply:
     (a) to a person who is carrying or has physical control over a license or permit issued to that person's spouse or to any minor when the spouse or minor is hunting with that person; and
     (b) when a properly obtained and validated license or permit is attached to a lawfully killed game animal.
     (3) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county detention center for not more than 6 months, or both. In addition, the person, upon conviction or forfeiture of bond or bail, may be subject to forfeiture of any current hunting, fishing, or trapping license issued by this state and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state or to use state lands, as defined in 77-1-101, for recreational purposes for a period of time set by the court.
     (4) A person who violates this section while engaged in a commercial activity, such as taxidermy, meat processing, outfitting, or guiding by carrying or having physical control over three or more hunting licenses that are issued to another person or persons and that are used or intended to be used on game animals not taken by the person or persons to whom the licenses were issued or by knowingly carrying, having physical control of, or selling two or more licenses or permits that were issued in violation of applicable law or rule is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined not more than $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or both. In addition, the person shall forfeit any current hunting, fishing, or trapping license or permit issued by this state and lose the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for not less than 3 years up to a revocation for life from the date of conviction.

     History: En. Sec. 26, Ch. 258, L. 2011.