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 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 is an important wildlife management technique biologists use to manage populations so that there is increased hunter opportunity, for example, or a decreased chance of game damage to private property, or to manage the condition of forage. To make it possible for FWP to 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 2003 Big Game Regulations or contact the local FWP game warden or Regional FWP enforcement staff.
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