[The Deer Hunter]

Does game butchers require some proof that your animal was killed legally?

Im not planning on poaching any deer but it has been on my mind for a while.

[MCgunner]

In Texas, you have to take the tagged antlers/head in with the meat or the tagged foot (perhaps head) in the case of a doe. The tagged body part accompanies the meat as proof of legality. Game wardens make checks at meat processors and will confiscate animals that aren't accompanied by the tag.

I always butcher my own. Just got through with the one I shot Sunday grinding with a hand grinder. I really need an electric grinder. :rolleyes: I let it soak a couple of days on ice water before I started for it to bleed out.

[Polishrifleman]

In, Washington the Tag never leaves the meat even when in "Cold Storage".:scrutiny: So yes the tag goes to the butcher and then should be returned and kept with the meat until eaten.

2. Transporting wildlife
You must transport any big game
animal with the proper tag attached.
The properly validated tag must
remain with the meat until it is eaten
(including cold storage). If quartered,
the tag should remain with the
carcass or largest portion of the
carcass. If you need to take the head
to a taxidermist and the meat to be
processed, you can complete a
taxidermy ledger or invoice, providing
information outlined under
"Possession and Use of Wildlife" for
the taxidermist, and keep the tag with
the meat at the processor. The tag
should remain attached to the hide of
a bear or cougar until it is tanned.

[f4t9r]

Same here must be tagged. They do check the shops

[nico]

In MD, we have two tags; one is placed on the carcass in the field when/where you field dress it, the other is for the butcher. iirc, the butcher isn't supposed to process the meat if you don't give them the proper tag.

[Steve Wynn]

Since you don't say which state you are inquiring about ....In Ohio, you must tag the deer before moving it or field dressing it. You must then trransport it to a "checking station" where they put a metal tag on it. If you then take it to a commercial meat shop, that tag will remain with the deer throughout the processing and go home with you and the finished meat.

Steve

[TrapperReady]

Wisconsin has the same system which Steve Wynn outlined for Ohio.