Ask A CO: Mistake consequences explained

[MeghanOOD]

https://oodmag.com/ask-a-co-mistake-...ces-explained/

A reader asks what are the consequences of self-reporting a moose ID mistake vs. abandoning the animal in the bush?

[Sam Menard]

CO’s take these things seriously and there is no “one size fits all” solution to this situation. It’s also possible that 2 CO’s could reach different conclusions. The severity of the consequences will depend on the factors that the hunter relied on to determine that he was pulling the trigger on a legal moose. Obviously, if a mistake was made, then there was a problem somewhere in the shooting or thought process. The more due diligence that a hunter takes, the less severe the consequences. If a hunter was hasty and didn’t take the time to properly identify the animal, or didn’t have a clear view (due to obstructions, distance, lighting) he could face stiff penalties. Delaying reporting a mistake can also lead to trouble.

As the article states that if you make a mistake, take a few minutes to process and accept it. Being in denial or looking at ways to avoid the consequences will lead to trouble. I’ve seen friendships and marriages hit the skids because hunters refused to do the right thing.