With the 2008 big game rifle season underway, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks enforcement personnel ask hunters to review some key hunting regulations to prevent violations.
"One of the most common violations is shooting birds or big game animals from the road," said Brian Shinn, FWP’s TIP-MNT coordinator. According to state law, it is illegal to shoot on, from, or across any public roadway. This includes the highway shoulder, berm, barrow pit or right of way.
Shinn said it is also illegal to hunt from any motorized vehicle, even if it is not moving. Hunters must be off or out of a vehicle before they shoot.
"Hunters who hold special shooting permits because of a disability are the only exceptions to this law," Shinn said.
Other common violations include improper tagging of havested game and possessing game without clear evidence of species and sex attached to the carcass.
"It is a good practice when transporting game a long distance to bone it and stow the meat in coolers," Shinn said. "In doing so though, hunters must remember that to be legal, wardens still need to be able to identify the species and sex."
Shinn said some hunters incorrectly believe that when carrying an either-sex tag, they are relieved of the obligation of providing evidences of species and sex.
"State law says it is illegal to possess or transport the carcass of any big game animal without evidence of sex and species naturally attached," Shinn said.
Among other common violations are incorrectly validated licenses or hunters who don’t validate their licenses and tag their game immediately after the animal is down.
To properly validate any big game tag, the hunter must cut three “V” shaped notches in the tag to indicate the date of harvest. One notch must fully remove the month; two notches must fully remove the two digits of the date of harvest. Then the tag must be securely and visibly attached to the carcass.
Shinn noted that FWP game wardens also often see these common hunting violations:
- failing to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property;
- using someone else’s tag on a game animal you killed, or tagging a game animal that someone else killed;
- taking game from the wrong hunting district;
- taking game without a license or the proper permit;
- baiting or using artificial lights to hunt game animals or birds; and
- wasting parts of a game animal that are suitable for food.
"Hunters should take the time to review Montana’s hunting rules and regulations and to carry land-ownership maps with them when they hunt to ensure they act within the law," Shinn said.
Hunters and others who observe outdoor violations are encouraged to call the toll-free TIPMONT number 1-800-TIP-MONT or 1-800-847-6668, to report property vandalism, trespass or wildlife violations, violations in Montana State Parks or on other public lands. TIP-MONT callers may choose to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
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