Montana hunters have the opportunity to take part in some of the finest hunting found anywhere. But each autumn some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate our game laws, drawing the ire of those who may witness the acts and causing concern among all who take pride in the state's wonderful hunting heritage.

Big game hunters planning to head afield for the opener on Sunday, Oct. 24 are reminded by Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials to take the time to review Montana's hunting rules and regulations not only to ensure compliance with the law and ensure an enjoyable outing, but also to recognize violations when they occur in the field.

Among the most common game violations are:

• Failure to properly validate a license/tag and securely fasten the tag in a visible manner to a game animal immediately after the kill and before it is moved or transported from the kill site.
• Failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting big game on private property.
• Using someone else's tag on a game animal you killed or tagging a game animal that someone else killed.
• Shooting or attempting to shoot game animals or game birds from a vehicle.
• Shooting game animals on or from any public highway or public right-of-way.
• Using a vehicle (including all-terrain vehicles and aircraft) to concentrate, drive, rally, stir-up or harass game animals.
• Failure to stop at a checking station going to or from hunting or fishing areas, even if you have no game or fish to present.
• Failure to leave evidence of the sex of a game animal attached to the animal.
• Failure to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter (fluorescent) orange clothing above the waist at all times while hunting during big game firearms seasons.
• Wasting any part of a game animal suitable for food.

FWP officials encourage hunters to protect the future of their sport by policing their own ranks and calling FWP's toll-free 1-800-TIP-Mont (1-800-847-6668) number to report witnessed or suspected property vandalism, trespass or wildlife violations.