Tagging problems, evidence of sex, species most frequent violations

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BILLINGS — When Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens ran a game check station at Hysham Hills last weekend, they were surprised at the type and number of violations they saw. Of about 175 hunters who stopped at the station, more than one in five either had improperly marked their game tag or had failed to legally leave evidence of species and sex attached to the carcass.

Warden Kevin Holland of Billings said most of the animals he checked were antelope. The gun season for antelope opened Oct. 12 and the gun season for deer and elk does not open until Oct. 26. He was encouraged that most hunters he checked were properly caring for their harvest by removing the antelope hide and allowing the meat to cool in a clean sheet or game bag.

But, Holland said, in their enthusiasm to properly care for their meat, more than 30 hunters had removed all evidence of sex and species. Wardens had only meat and bones to check. Frequently they were unable to readily tell whether the carcass was a deer or antelope, much less whether it was a buck or doe.

Many of the violators incorrectly believed that because they carried an either-sex tag, which allowed them to harvest any antelope, they could dispense of evidence of sex, Holland said. However, state law says it is illegal to possess or transport the carcass of any big game animal without evidence of sex and species naturally attached. Montana’s hunting regulations book and Web site clearly list what constitutes evidence of sex.

Other hunters who stopped at the check station had not properly validated their tag after harvesting an antelope, Holland said.

To properly validate any big game tag, regulations say the hunter must cut three “V” shaped notches in the tag to indicate the date of harvest. One notch must fully remove the name of the month. Two notches must fully remove the two digits of the date – 0 and 8 for the eighth; 2 and 6 for the 26 th .

Hunters may not mark the tag with a pen, cut a slit or poke a hole to validate the tag, Holland said. The three notches must fully remove the type to indicate the date of harvest (see attached photo). And the tag must be securely attached to the carcass.

Tagging violations can carry a fine of as much as $135.

With elk and deer seasons set to open Oct. 26, Holland said, it is important for hunters to remember that they must leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to their harvest and properly validate their tags.

Books listing hunting regulations are free and available at all license dealers or FWP offices. Regulations are published online at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations.html.

 

-FWP-