Tagging

Make sure to follow all state regulations for tagging, reporting, and recording your kill. Some states require you to notch a physical tag, and some require you to notch a digital or virtual tag. Physical tags are then attached to the harvested animal. Washington requires hunters to choose to be either a mobile license holder or a paper license holder.

If you are a paper license holder, make sure you notch your paper tag with month and day removed completely. If you are a digital license holder, make sure to write the confirmation number and date of harvest in ink on material that can withstand the elements. Immediately attach either the paper tag or the confirmation information to the carcass in a visible manner.

The paper tag or confirmation information must remain with the meat until consumed as noted in the Washington Big Game Hunting Regulations.

After the tag has been notched and attached to the animal, you can begin field dressing your animal. If you have never field dressed an animal, be sure to hunt with an experienced person who can help you, or review online videos on field dressing BEFORE going afield. It is not difficult to field dress an animal, but it helps if you have an experienced person show you what to do.