Game laws that might mess you up.

[Gunnersdad49]

Each state has some big game hunting laws that are a little different from the others. What unique game laws have you seen that people from out of state get in trouble for or are unaware of? The intent of this is to encourage people to read regulations where they hunt, but also I think it will be entertaining to see some regional differences in hunting laws.

For example, in Alaska, the Head and Hide comes out of the field only once all edible portions of the animal are brought out.
In Colorado, the carcass tag is not to be attached to the antlers (if detached from the animal), but major portion of the meat.
In Wyoming, non-residents cannot hunt designated wilderness areas without a guide.
In Minnesota, if you shoot your gun and think you hit someone with the bullet, it is against the law to not render aid.

What do you see non-residents screwing up in your state? What laws do you find strange or foreign in your travels?

 

[Tjdeerslayer37]

Michigan- you cannot have your firearm loaded outside of legal shooting hours.

(in my case this was during deer firearm, not sure about other seasons.)

 

[Huntindog45]

California has the strange law that you have to get a warden, biologist, or fire fighter, or post office employee to validate your tag after you kill a critter. (the list is longer but those are what i can think of) Its a strange outdated law that even the wardens cant figure out why it is still required. and stranger for California which has a law for everything is we dont have hunter orange requirements. I just think its strange that of all the states to not have a common law California is the outlier.

 

[AG8]

In Minnesota, if you shoot your gun and think you hit someone with the bullet, it is against the law to not render aid.

That needs to be written as a law? Yikes. Don’t hunt Minnesota

 

[svivian]

I dont know how many times I see a carcass tag attached to a set of horns with no meat in sight(colorado)

 

[journeyman713]

It is illegal to shoot a buffalo from the back of a train.
Just something to keep in mind on your way out west.

 

[voltage]

In Missouri, in order to "assist" other hunters, you must have a filled or unfilled deer tag (except when assisting a youth hunter).

 

[loganwayne]

Alabama or at least the wma we hunted all game must come out whole.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

SC...you must check you kill via online app before midnight day if the kill. This is in addition to attaching your physical tag to the animal before moving animal from the kill site.

I recommend writing you check in confirmation number on your tag.

 

[Pramo]

Having your bow in a case in Colorado, years ago had a buddy pick me up at a trail head after sunset after spike camping a few days. Got in the truck and quickly got pulled over and a ticket for not casing my bow. Only wild life violation in my adult life lol. Always have a soft case now in the truck or utv.

 

[BBob]

AZ: Shooting from or across a road which includes dirt two tracks out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Jimmy]

In CA you can't carry a sidearm during archery season.

 

[Nine Banger]

SC...you must check you kill via online app before midnight day if the kill. This is in addition to attaching your physical tag to the animal before moving animal from the kill site.

I recommend writing you check in confirmation number on your tag.

I don't like this. Trying to get the deer, often multiple deer loaded up and processed while playing with your phone in poor service area and trying to find the tag number in the app while its dark and you have kids with you, etc. I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish.

Another stupid thing we have is a free annual Migratory Bird permit for doves and marsh hens. Even if you have lifetime licenses you have to go in every year and add the free item to your shopping cart and then pay a convenience fee for the transaction. Tickets get issued for this one. Kids that turn 12 need it all of a sudden too and they get ticketed for it as well. Dove fields and marsh hen tides are easy pickings for wardens.

 

[MontyMontana]

Colorado- At least 1 quarter must come out Bone-in..
Colorado- Have to take the bear meat.

 

[Nine Banger]

Another SC stupid law:
- you can only shoot 2 does per day on regular antlerless tags. Deer Quota Program opens up good options.

 

[fngTony]

Colorado- At least 1 quarter must come out Bone-in..
Colorado- Have to take the bear meat.

Never heard that about a bone in qtr. Maybe that was one cpw officer’s interpretation of “evidence of sex naturally attached”?

 

[Pescetism]

Idaho - must stop at IDGF game check stations even if unsuccessful or hunting outside of Idaho. Maybe someone with a better understanding of Idaho laws knows the answer but the way I've seen the law explained there isn't a defined time limit to when you were previously hunting/fishing/trapping. If I was hunting 2 days ago in my home state am I really expected to stop?

Missouri - Possession of an illumination device and a firearm isn't a allowed. Enjoy looking for blood, walking your dog, or hiking out in the dark. Haven't heard of it being enforced unless obviously spotlighting but the way "hunt" and "harass" are defined leaves much room for interpretation.

Quoted from this current years hunting regs handbook.
"Landowners may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Artificial lights may not be used to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife than the above."

 

[va_to_co]

Never heard that about a bone in qtr. Maybe that was one cpw officer’s interpretation of “evidence of sex naturally attached”?

I'm curious also. Reading page 16 of the big game regs for this year and am not seeing anything about keeping a quarter bone in.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

Alaska has always been interesting to me because the regulations change so much unit to unit. Bone in vs ability to bone-out, what combination of hide/skull/meat for bears, etc. Really have to pay attention.

 

[Jskaanland]

Having your bow in a case in Colorado, years ago had a buddy pick me up at a trail head after sunset after spike camping a few days. Got in the truck and quickly got pulled over and a ticket for not casing my bow. Only wild life violation in my adult life lol. Always have a soft case now in the truck or utv.

I kind of freaked out but went and found the regulation on that. I only see it for OHVs.

8. Carrying loaded firearms (except handguns) on an OHV during deer, elk,
pronghorn and bear seasons. Firearms (except handguns) must be un-
loaded in the chamber and magazine. Firearms (except handguns) and
bows must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case.

Colorado- At least 1 quarter must come out Bone-in..
Colorado- Have to take the bear meat.

Item 4 shows that if its deboned you just need evidence of sex. Doesn't reference needing a bone in quarter. Hopefully that saves you some weight in the future!

4. If a carcass is cut in pieces or deboned, evidence of sex needs to be attached
to a quarter or another major part of carcass. All portions must be trans-
ported together.