Processor tossed my tag, forgot to keep it for taxidermy

[Brightwhite]

I made a huge mistake... I took a really nice 5x5 mule deer this weekend and caped him out and planned on taking him to my taxidermist this weekend. However, when I took the meat in yesterday to the processor I completely forgot to ask them to give me my tag back to keep with the cape.

I called the processor and they said they don't have the tag.

I do have the top portion of my license that show I had an antlered tag, but I know that may not help much.

***The game warden did check me at my truck after I packed the deer out. She made a note in her little tablet she was carrying, my guess is she noted my name, tag, and the animal description?

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience in how I should handle this or what I should go about doing to get my animal to the taxidermist legally?

 

[shedhead]

I wouldn't worry about it to much. I'm not sure how it is in every state but most places the Taxidermist can use your Tag Number, License Number, birth date or a Social Security number to log you in. Most of the time the tag should be kept with the largest portion witch is the meat. I would just take the top portion of you license with you and you will not have any problems.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Make a photocopy of the part you still have, and keep one with the head. The regs say something like "the tag has to accompany the meat until processed" or something like that. Colo has only a one part tag that stays with the meat, not the head. When I brought my bull to the meat guy in Antonito, he kept the tag, removed the "proof of sex" from the carcass, and took my $$$.
When I picked up the meat, I got my tag back but he said not to worry about the tag anymore. I just attached it back to the antlers when I got back to the hotel. I probably sound confusing and didn't help much, but you should not have any problems if you are stopped for some reason.

 

[BruinPoint]

Don't sweat it - you don't need it for the taxidermist, just the meat. Definitely a situation that's ripe for abuse, but factual none-the-less.

 

[justin davis]

Like other said. You only need the carcass tag for the meat not the horns

 

[Jason Snyder]

I would be more concerned as to why the processor does not have your tag.

 

[Brightwhite]

Thanks guys, when I called them about it yesterday I got a "young lady" that probably just ran the register. When I asked her about the tag she was quick to say that they didn't have it. After talking with my father-in-law, he said what you guys said, that they are supposed to keep it until I pick up the meat. So, I called back and asked for a manager and he did confirm that they have it.

I also called the taxidermist and he said all he needed was the license number (so the top part of the tag is ok) to log when I drop off the cape. So I am good!

I had a little bit of a freak out moment, but hopefully someone learned from this like I did.

 

[Mtnboy]

I would be more concerned as to why the processor does not have your tag.

This was my first thought.

Just another reason I'm happy to be able to do 90% of my own processing.

Glad it all worked out for you!

 

[Mckinnon]

I really like Nevada's tag system, you get your tag, a taxidermy stub, and meat transportation stub if you are splitting the meat and the head/cape

 

[Longhorn92]

I really like Nevada's tag system, you get your tag, a taxidermy stub, and meat transportation stub if you are splitting the meat and the head/cape

Yeah, good system but even that can go south. Another hunter in my camp packed out a few days before I did and took my deer with him. I stayed in camp a couple more days just to hang out.

Anyway, he dropped off my deer at the processor's but also left my taxidermy tag with the meat by accident. The processor threw it away since he didn't need it.

Luckily, the taxidermist said he just needed my license info and took my head and cape.

I was sweating it but it turned out to be no big deal.