some people need to read regulations

[rick_iles]

Letter of the law.

22.1 If a member of a party kills a species of big game under the authority of a licence that is held by another member of the party, the holder of the licence shall,

(a) immediately after the kill and at the site of the kill attach the seal provided with the licence or licence tag to the wildlife in the manner indicated on the seal; and
*********

From legalese to straight talk.
If a member of a party kills a big species under the authority of another members tag.

The tag holder without delay, shall place the seal on the animal at the kill site........

So long as the tag holder doesn't delay getting there and "immediately" places the tag once there, would appear to me that the letter of the law has been met. The letter of law doesn't say anything about what the guys there waiting can or can't do.....

In the end I think I'd want to be a CO and there so I could evaluate this and that.
Gut shot moose laying in fetid swamp water on a hot day?......Well the law does say, hunters are not allowed to let game meat spoil.

I think theres also discretion in the letters application and maybe its there because its near impossible to cover every possible scenario and contingency.

Exactly !!!!

[redd foxx]

I think you could ask another C.O. the same question and perhaps get a different answer. They all interpret the legislation based on their teachings, beliefs and interpretation of the legislation.

I agree and in my opinion, it is not illegal to gut an animal while waiting for the tag holder to arrive. I would do it and fight it in court if charged.

At the end of the day, the judges will make the ultimate decision on the interpretation if it gets that far.

[fratri]

Why wouldn't you be able to gut a deer or moose before the tag arrives..... What would be the rationale for waiting?

What's the difference if the CO shows up while you are standing over a dead deer or moose that is not gutted or one that is being gutted, the same situation exist, you and the CO will still have to wait for the tag holder to be legal.

[Gilroy]

Why wouldn't you be able to gut a deer or moose before the tag arrives..... What would be the rationale for waiting?

What's the difference if the CO shows up while you are standing over a dead deer or moose that is not gutted or one that is being gutted, the same situation exist, you and the CO will still have to wait for the tag holder to be legal.

LOL The difference is one CO has answered the question and he is going to charge you.I guess you need to hope he does not show up.

[buckluck_9pt]

[QUOTE=fratri;1022282]Why wouldn't you be able to gut a deer or moose before the tag arrives..... What would be the rationale for waiting?

well, based on what the CO said, you can't move the animal in any direction until it is tagged.. the tag must be affixed to the carcass immediately upon arriving.. so based on his interpretation of the law ( the one that really matters here), you can't do anything to the animal as even rolling it over to start gutting it is, in terms, moving the animal.. you can stand their and wait as you don't have the tag to affix it to the carcass ( if you are party hunting and awaiting the tag holders presence to tag it immediately)... once the tag holder arrives you must immediately affix the tag before doing anything to it... anyone can do as they wish, if they feel there is a different definition of immediate or if they feel that there is nothing in the laws to prevent them from doing so... again, maybe it's up to different CO's.. myself, i get my word from the horse's mouth, so to speak , and follow it diligently... my thinking is they do this so that there is less chance of poaching.. if you affix your tag immediately, they know you have full intent of using your tag.. probably too many instances where people would shoot it, gut it, get it back, hang it and etc before tagging it.. if you put in the legislature that you are to tag it immediately, it leaves the blame ( so to speak) on the hunter..
i would rather not be in a situation where a CO is watching me or catches me then i have to explain everything and try to fight anything in a court.. i will leave this alone as , to me, it's been answered by a CO.. if anyone wants to challenge it, it's up to them, i know i won't...

[rick_iles]

....The offence would be transporting the game not tagged. Turning a moose on its back is hardly "transporting".... anyhow, We have had encounters with several of those "horses" over the past several years, since party hunting was allowed, who actually work in the areas in the north where party hunting regulations can mean a lot of time between the shot and the tag getting there. They have all interpreted the regulation differently with respect to the "immediate" meaning. Basically, if you look strictly at the wording in the pertinent sections, it is impossible to abide by the law, where party hunting is concerned. One cannot be convicted of an offence, when the law cannot possibly be adhered to. With most regulations, there is the letter of the law, and more importantly the "spirit" of the law. Both are considerd by a court. We will just conduct ourselves accordingly. Our group will never allow a moose to lay in the heat waiting for the tag, without gutting it.

[welsh]

"Immediately" means without delay. If the person with the tag does not delay in affixing the tag, where's the offence?

[rick_iles]

"Immediately" means without delay. If the person with the tag does not delay in affixing the tag, where's the offence?

There isn't one. Some here would believe otherwise!

[seabast]

Why wouldn't you be able to gut a deer or moose before the tag arrives..... What would be the rationale for waiting?

What's the difference if the CO shows up while you are standing over a dead deer or moose that is not gutted or one that is being gutted, the same situation exist, you and the CO will still have to wait for the tag holder to be legal.

Because it could open the door to a lot of situations..... After gutting the deer why wouldn't you drag it to the road..... And after that why wouldn't you put it in the back of the truck..... No tag holder around yet so why wouldn't you drive it to the camp.... And finally, why bother tagging it?

To me, it makes a lot of sense to not been able to touch it until there is a tag on it. Do I always obey by that rule? No, but I know what I'm getting into....

[rick_iles]

Because it could open the door to a lot of situations..... After gutting the deer why wouldn't you drag it to the road..... And after that why wouldn't you put it in the back of the truck..... No tag holder around yet so why wouldn't you drive it to the camp.... And finally, why bother tagging it?

To me, it makes a lot of sense to not been able to touch it until there is a tag on it. Do I always obey by that rule? No, but I know what I'm getting into....

If a person was so inclined, he could do all those things you mentioned with any deer, gutted or otherwise!
If you satisfy the "immediately" requirement, and the animal is not removed from the kill site prior to tagging, anything you do waiting for the tag is irrelevant to the legislation.
You can even strip down and dance a jig in your gotchies while you wait, if you wish !