Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles
Hunting Tips - Tagging
This guide provides essential information and tips for hunters regarding the proper use and application of hunting tags, a critical legal requirement after a successful harvest.
I. Importance of Proper TaggingProper and immediate tagging is a legal mandate in most jurisdictions and serves several important purposes:
- Legal Compliance: It proves the legality of the harvest and possession of the animal. Failing to tag immediately and correctly can result in fines or confiscation of the animal.
- Conservation Data: Tags provide valuable data to wildlife management agencies on harvest numbers, which is essential for setting future quotas and conservation efforts.
- Preventing Waste: Ensures accountability and encourages ethical handling of the harvested animal.
The following is a general checklist for tagging. Always consult the specific regulations provided in your state or province's hunting guide, as rules can vary.
Step | Action | Critical Detail |
|---|---|---|
1 | Verify Species/Gender | Confirm the animal matches the species, sex, and date specified on the tag. |
2 | Validate/Date the Tag | Immediately cut, notch, or punch the tag to permanently mark the date and time of the kill. |
3 | Secure the Tag | Attach the tag to the animal's carcass, typically to the ear or leg/antler, as specified by regulation. |
4 | Ensure Visibility | The tag must be securely fastened and easily visible. Use a durable attachment method. |
5 | Transport | Keep the tag on the carcass until it reaches final processing/storage, unless otherwise noted. |
Tagging must occur immediately at the site of the kill before the carcass is moved or field-dressed.
- Before Moving: Even if you only drag the animal a short distance to an accessible area, the tag must be attached first.
- Prior to Field Dressing: The tagging process must be completed before any field dressing or quartering takes place.
Ensure you have the following essential items with you before you enter the field:
- Valid Hunting License and Tags: All required documentation must be current.
- Writing Utensil: A permanent, weather-proof pen or marker is necessary for dating the tag.
- Attachment Method:
- Plastic zip ties
- Durable string or wire
If regulations permit quartering or boning the animal for easier transport, you must ensure all major parts (e.g., the head/antlers, major muscle groups) are correctly labeled.
- In some jurisdictions, the head/antlers must retain the original tag.
About the author
