Hunters heading out for Montana's upcoming deer and elk general season should be aware the law requires that the proof of the species and sex of all harvested big game animals remain attached to the carcass.
Hunters must harvest only the species and sex of the big game animal that they hold a valid tag to harvest.
This regulated harvest helps set the ratio of male to female animals in a population, which then increases or decreases the population over time. This important wildlife management technique can help increase hunting opportunities, decrease game damage to private property and manage the condition of forage.
To make it possible for FWP to manage and monitor the harvest, evidence of an animal's species and sex must remain attached to the carcass until the meat is cut up and wrapped.
The easiest way to meet this requirement is to leave the animal’s head attached to the carcass. If the animal’s head is removed, including quartered, boned-out or skinned animals, some other evidence of sex must remain naturally attached to the carcass or a portion of it. In the case of a bear or a mountain lion, evidence of the sex must remain attached to the hide.
It is illegal to possess or transport the carcass of any big game animal unless evidence of the animal’s sex and species remains naturally attached to its carcass or a portion of the carcass.
For questions on how to apply these regulations in a particular situation, check the current big game regulations for the species you plan to harvest. If you still have questions, contact the FWP regional enforcement office in your area or the Helena FWP enforcement office.
