20 replies to this topic

[RAPTOR72]

Hey guys,If you shoot a world class Deer deep in these big woods of the Sierras, how do you get it out and checked by a Ranger? I mean, do you have to bring the whole carcass to the check station, or take what you want as far as meat and the head. Sorry, new to the area.Thanks,Tom

[Robs223]

Great question, I would love to know the answer to this myself, come on Shooter John Im sure you have some wisdom here.

[Camoghost]

First thing is tag it! Gut it out and cape it. If you have a scale you can weigh it right there. Take the rack with the tag on it to a ranger and have them score it for record. PS: this is a great problem to have! When I broke a record in AZ my guide and taxidermist did the scoring for me. They also handled the paperwork for me. The Bio/Rangers these days can tell allot by the genetics of a deer by what you bring them.

[mac]

I'll tell you, it's a lot easier than in some states. By law you do not have to have a tag validated by DFG, although it is preferred so they can track animal/herd status. I have taken deer deep in the Sierras many times. I have quartered them, packed them out...make sure you retain the head/antlers and fill-in the tag right after killing your deer and attach to the animal - I usually take some wire or string with me and wrap the tag to the antler. Btw, you do not need to keep the sex organ or the head attached to the meat like you do in Idaho, Colorado, Montana, etc.Fairly straight forward and you can also check the regs online http://www.dfg.ca.gov/

[ShooterJohn]

If you get what you believe to be a very large or unusual rack. I would probably go by the Boone and Crockett scoring for measuring your trophy.http://www.boone-cro...c...6327E9&se=1 Which really only needs the skull with antlers attached to be measured after the appropriate drying time. But if it's a very nice animal and you're considering mounting it then I'd cape from the shoulders forward. To be entered or scored for a Boone and Crockett recorded you need to find a certified measurer and their site can help you.State records you should check on your state fish and game site for how they accept entries.I've shot a ton of deer but never anywhere near a record. I guess I'm a meat hunter at heart.

[Camoghost]

I'm a opportunist! I'll shoot anything that is legal.. I just happen to get lucky from time to time.. In the field to!

[RAPTOR72]

Great! Thanks guys. In New Jersey we had to bring the entire gutted Deer to the check station intact. I will sleep better knowing i can quarter and carry out of the woods without having to drag a Deer out of these mountains!

[coyotekiller]

I'm a opportunist! I'll shoot anything that is legal.. I just happen to get lucky from time to time.. In the field to!

Haha good one

[Braz]

I'm a opportunist! I'll shoot anything that is legal.. I just happen to get lucky from time to time.. In the field to!

Where I hunt bucks are too hard to find. If he's legal, he's gonna get shot! Hell, it may be the only one I see all season long. Like John said, I like the meat!

[PredatorMaster]

Yep same here First leagal buck I see this year is going in the Freezer too many hunters out during deer season got to take what you can get if it comes to the last weekend of the season and I have not filled my tag yet a doe will have to do. (either sex is leagal ) here and rifle season runs from 13 Oct - 02 Dec. 400 tags this year.

[socalkid]

So if I understood correctly you do not (legally) need to have your tag validated?? I'm new to this to.

[Braz]

For deer, you do need to have your tag validated, but there are a lot of folks that can do that for you, besides the game warden. Any peace officer, the guy at the locker plant, one of the employees at the local Calif Div of Forestry, etc. Look it up in the regulations. A good tip is to have a copy of the regs in your vehicle and be familiar with them. And what ever you do, don't carry your rifle loaded in the vehicle. In fact, if you do shoot one, be sure and take ALL shells from the rifle and separate the rifle and shells. You don't want to be written up for hunting without a tag. And don't try the old "I'm hunting coyotes" bit, it won't work. You could end up with a large fine and loss of the rifle and hunting privileges.

[DEERSLAM]

Hey Lynn I didn't know I can validate a deer. Good to know.RAPTOR72 I like the way you think. It's always good to have a plan and being confident is a plus.

[Braz]

But I don't think you can do your own.

[Cranky Farmer]

Many taxidermist try and get certified to measure for Boone and Crockett to help bring in business. B & C requires a drying period on the antlers before they can do an official score. They can do the preliminary score if you can talk them into it, know as a green score. After you're drying period and official score you'll get a certificate back by mail to hang on your wall.

[socalkid]

[quote name='Braz' date='Aug 14 2007, 05:47 PM' post='47258']For deer, you do need to have your tag validated, but there are a lot of folks that can do that for you, besides the game warden.Ok thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Braz]

I was wrong about peace officers. See, that is why it is important to have and carry a copy of the regs and know what they say.Here is the section of the Fish and Game code that applies. It is Section 703(a)(8)(8) Deer and Elk Tags, Persons Authorized to Validate. The following persons are authorized to validate or countersign deer and elk tags: (A) State 1. Fish and Game Commissioners 2. Employees of the Department of Fish and Game3. Deputy Foresters4. Assistant Deputy Foresters5. Forest Rangers6. Park Rangers--Grades 1, 2, 3, and 47. Supervising Plant Quarantine Inspectors8. Junior, Intermediate and Senior Plant Quarantine Inspectors9. Foresters10. Fire Prevention Officers--Grades 1, 2, 3, and 411. Fire Captains12. Fire Apparatus Engineers ( Federal: (FS = U.S. Forest Service, FWS = U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, BLM = Bureau of Land Management) 1. Range Technicians (BLM)2. Forest Supervisors (FS)3. Assistant Forest Supervisors (FS)4. District Forest Rangers (FS)5. Foresters (FS, BLM)6. Range Conservationists (FS, BLM)7. Forest Engineers (FS, BLM)8. Forestry Aides (FS)9. Fire Control Officers or Aides (FS, BLM)10. Clerks (FS, FWS, BLM) while on duty at their headquarters11. Game Management Agents (FWS)12. Wildlife Management Biologists (FS, FWS, BLM)13. District Managers (BLM)14. Information Specialists (BLM)15. Area Managers (BLM)16. Realty Specialists (BLM)17. Natural Resource Specialists (BLM)18. Engineers (BLM)19. Engineering Technicians (BLM)20. Recreation Resource Specialists (BLM)21. Geologists (BLM)22. Recreation Aides (BLM)23. All Uniformed Personnel of the National Park Service24. Commanding officers of any United States military installation or their designated personnel for deer taken on their reservation.25. Postmasters26. Post Office Station or Branch Manager for deer brought to their post office.

[RAPTOR72]

RAPTOR72 I like the way you think. It's always good to have a plan and being confident is a plus. Thanks Deerslam. I might have come off as over-confident which was not my intention. To be honest, I am not expecting to see anything this weekend for opening Bow. Just glad to be back in the woods hunting, but you never know what might happen!

[Bozsik]

Hey Braz,I would like to see the individual who uses #23 to validate. I would enjoy obtaining the photos of someone driving into Yosemite N.P. with their deer and asking for a validation. I could see the newspaper photo caption now "DEER VALIDATED IN NATONAL PARK, PRICELESS". db

[Braz]

Hell, we could take it into the post office along with Shooter John's crows.

[4RHUNTS]

Peace Officers can countersign deer tags per 4341 of the Fish & Game Code.