Tag Validation

Immediately after harvesting any big game animal or turkey, the appropriate tag must be:

• Validated by the person who has harvested the animal. Cut out and completely remove the month and day of kill. A slit in the month or day is not acceptable.
• Securely attached to the carcass in a visible manner. For deer or elk, tie the tag inside the ear or around the antler. For bear, attach the tag to the carcass, hide, or skull.

You must transport any big game animal or turkey with the proper tag attached. The properly validated tag must remain with the meat until it is eaten (including cold storage). If quartered, the tag should remain with the largest portion of the carcass. If you need to take the head to a taxidermist and the meat is to be processed, you can complete a taxidermy ledger or invoice.

It is illegal to possess or transport big game animals unless evidence of the animal's sex is left naturally attached to the carcass until the carcass is processed or stored for consumption. Evidence of sex means:

• Male: Head with antlers or horns attached or penis or testes any of which must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.
• Female: The head or udder must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.

For big game taken in antler or horn restriction areas, the head or skull plate—with both horns or both antlers naturally attached—must accompany the carcass while in transit or in possession.