http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2012/mar/scout1_wildlifecompact/
Place to Run

An agreement between states keeps sportsmen from flouting game laws.

By John Jefferson

Suppose that a young man from Texas was hunting in Colorado. He was a conscientious hunter and a good citizen in most respects. He never intentionally broke the law, he paid his bills on time, and he treated his dogs well.

Laws in other states can be a little confusing, however, and this young man misunderstood a requirement in the state regulations where he was hunting. He didn’t know he had done anything wrong until a game warden appeared and wrote him a citation. Then the warden took him to town to see the judge.

A hunter or angler in his home state would receive only the citation, which he could contest or pay. In the past, some nonresident hunters across America ignored the citations they received, perhaps assuming they would not be extradited over a minor game violation. Therefore, taking them immediately before a judge was the only recourse. If the person was found guilty, the judge could assess a fine and expect payment. If the fine couldn’t be paid, jail time was an option — not to mention a heck of an inconvenience.