FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Nov. 15, 2004
CONTACT: Mark Smedsrud, 362-2700

PIERRE, S.D. – Before harvesting wild game in South Dakota, hunters are asked to note the legal requirements for tagging, transporting and storing their harvest.

"One of the most common hunting violations Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officers encounter each year regards the requirements for transporting, storing, and tagging harvested game," said Regional Conservation Officer Supervisor Mark Smedsrud of Sioux Falls. "For game birds, none may be possessed, placed in public storage, transported or accepted for shipment unless minimum requirements are met."

Requirements for transporting and storing game birds include:

• Waterfowl must have an attached head or fully feathered wing.
• Pheasants and grouse must have the head, fully feathered wing or a foot attached.
• All other game birds must have either the head or a fully feathered wing attached.

In addition, Smedsrud noted that officers often encounter situations where numerous game birds have been frozen together in a single package, making it virtually impossible to properly identify the number, species, and if applicable, sex of the birds without taking time to thaw the contents of the package. Birds frozen inside milk, ice cream and other nontransparent containers are also problematic.

"If officials cannot identify a bird frozen in a nontransparent container, we have no other option but to confiscate the bird to thaw for identification," Smedsrud said. Officials suggest hunters keep their game birds individually cooled or frozen in separate baggies while transporting them. Once at home, the bird can then be placed in a more permanent package for freezing.

"The number of game birds that can be frozen together in a package is limited to no more than two," Smedsrud added. "This requirement is reasonable and will aid in the prompt identification of species and sex. It will also prove more convenient for both the officer and the public by facilitating the inspection process."

There are also certain requirements that must be met when tagging and transporting big game, like elk, deer and turkey.

"The tag one receives with their license must be signed, dated and securely attached to the leg of the big game animal whenever it is brought to a road or into any hunting camp, farmyard, residence or before it is placed on a vehicle," Smedsrud noted. "Properly tagging a big game animal allows it to be legally transported and stored by the hunter or another person. Details for proper tagging are provided on the license."

Smedsrud added that a person may not possess a big game animal or transport it unless the animal’s head and hide accompany it to promptly identify species and sex of the animal. The attached, completed tag must also be included.

"This is important so we can identify that the game has been legally harvested and matches what is allowed by the license," he said. "For a turkey, sufficient plumage or parts must be left on the bird to identify its sex if the tag specifies gobbler only. This could be the leg with a spur or the beard attached to the chest." He noted that an exception would be if a person had a receipt from a licensed taxidermist or a free transportation permit obtained from any S.D. Conservation Officer.

Lastly, big game taken in another state or from tribal lands with a tribal license must be properly tagged when transported in South Dakota. If no tag was issued, the person in possession of the animal must provide proof that the animal was lawfully taken.

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