Take it or leave it

[Mr. Jonathan]

All the normal shed spots were still under snow, so I checked out a new spot with my wife and came across this dead head.

 

Do you think its still too fresh to pick up? Should I take it or leave it?

 

 

 

 

It looks like it broke during the rut, since the break is smooth and stained like the rest of the antler.

 

 

So should I leave it or take it?

[cramerhunts]

I know that I wouldn't hesitate to take it, but each person has his own thoughts on the subject.

 

Phil

[CouesWhitetail]

AGFD recently clarified it's rules on this. Seems like yours would fit in the not fresh category since it's mostly exposed bone.

 

 

 

R12-4-314. Pickup and Possessi on of Wildlife Parts

 

A. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

 

1. “Fresh” means the majority of a carcass or wildlife part that is not exposed dry bone and is comprised mainly of hair, hide, or flesh.

 

2. “Not fresh” means the majority of the carcass or wildlife part is exposed dry bone due to natural processes such as scavenging, decomposition, or weathering.

 

B. If not in conflict with federal law, and notwithstanding any provision in Section R12?4?305 to the contrary, no license, permit, tag or stamp are required to pick up and possess naturally shed antlers and horns or parts of a wildlife carcass that are not fresh.

 

C. If not contrary to federal law or regulation, an individual may only pick up and possess a fresh wildlife carcass or its parts under this Section if the individual notifies the Department and:

 

1. The wildlife carcass or its parts show no evidence of death or wounding from any device used to take wildlife;

 

2. The Department’s first report or knowledge of the carcass or its parts is voluntarily provided by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts;

 

3. A Department law enforcement officer is able to observe the entire carcass and its parts at the site where the animal died in the same condition and location as when the animal was originally found by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts; and

 

4. A Department law enforcement officer, using the officer’s education, training, and experience, finds no indication that the animal may have been taken unlawfully. The Department may require the finder to take the officer to the site where the animal carcass or parts were found if an adequate description or location cannot be provided to the officer.

 

5. The Department has no duty to confirm legality in the event of non-availability of a Department officer.

 

D. If a Department law enforcement officer determines that the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts is authorized to do so under subsection ©, the officer shall issue a permit authorizing possession of the carcass or its parts. The permit shall contain:

 

1. A general description of the carcass or its parts;

 

2. The date of inspection;

 

3. Species of the wildlife carcass;

 

4. If applicable, horn or antler length and width, and points per side; and

 

5. A statement that the permit must remain with the carcass or its parts.

 

E. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulates the pick-up and possession of migratory birds and their parts. The provisions of this Article and regulations promulgated under the Act apply to a person in possession of birds, feathers, other parts, eggs, and nests.

 

F. Wildlife parts picked up and possessed from areas under control of jurisdictions that prohibit such activity are illegal to possess in this state.

 

[TREESTANDMAN]

Nice little Carp buck! I'd probably take it as well, especially with the rule clarification.

 

Mike

[IHunt2live]

Its up to you! If you don't someone else will I know that AZGF employees would take it and keep on the DL.

 

Thats based on the actions of just one employee right, If I remember corectly he was reletivly new to the department to.

[IHunt2live]

The law is the law. Your welcome to pick it up just as much as your welcome to do 40mph in a 25mph zone. Do we pick those up becouse we are more comfortable not being cought? Its not worth it to me, just call the WM if in doubt, more often then not I'm sure they will let you have it. And like in the speeding example you may or may not get a ticket depending on the situation and the mood of the officer. Just my $.2.

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/highlights/highlights_0602.html

The issue is discuss in the above link, but this was long before the new rule.

And as far as G&F employees picking up heads, I have no problem with it, one of the FEW benifits I believe they should have for being SOOOO underapprecited. They don't pick up as much as we might think because they are not trumping around in the remote areas as some think. Thats just me though.

[Kilimanjaro]

I'd leave it.. not because its the law or morally high road to take, but because I bet that thing stinks to high heaven...

[jim]

Pick it up. That head is way past the fresh rule.

[Mr. Jonathan]

I'd leave it.. not because its the law or morally high road to take, but because I bet that thing stinks to high heaven...

 

 

So true! But yeah, I took it anyways. I'm on spring break here in Nevada, and I think they're a little more lax on these things. Just curious what everyone thought.

[June]

 

Hey wait a minute you didn't tell us you found it in AERA 51!!! You now have Randy Ulmers secret spot. Then again he's as close to alien as there is. Nice find take the moeny and run.

[AZantlerhead]

Really cool find , he was a fighter, might have been the death of him? Cool to imagine a battle like that. You're guilty untill proven innocent so if you can prove you DIDNT cause the death then..... what a buncha flippin BS.

 

Great find man!!!Awesome way to remember a hike. G&F..........

 

 

Another right- bites the dust, and- another ones gone, another- rights gone, another one bites the- dust!!!..........Come on sing along!!

 

If we open our eyes it's easy to see, who is, the real enemy . Shame to bring such legal pettyness and crockery as this into a wonderfull day hikeing with someone and an awesome find

 

 

[KGAINES]

AGFD recently clarified it's rules on this. Seems like yours would fit in the not fresh category since it's mostly exposed bone.

 

 

 

R12-4-314. Pickup and Possessi on of Wildlife Parts

 

A. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

 

1. “Fresh” means the majority of a carcass or wildlife part that is not exposed dry bone and is comprised mainly of hair, hide, or flesh.

 

2. “Not fresh” means the majority of the carcass or wildlife part is exposed dry bone due to natural processes such as scavenging, decomposition, or weathering.

 

B. If not in conflict with federal law, and notwithstanding any provision in Section R12?4?305 to the contrary, no license, permit, tag or stamp are required to pick up and possess naturally shed antlers and horns or parts of a wildlife carcass that are not fresh.

 

C. If not contrary to federal law or regulation, an individual may only pick up and possess a fresh wildlife carcass or its parts under this Section if the individual notifies the Department and:

 

1. The wildlife carcass or its parts show no evidence of death or wounding from any device used to take wildlife;

 

2. The Department’s first report or knowledge of the carcass or its parts is voluntarily provided by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts;

 

3. A Department law enforcement officer is able to observe the entire carcass and its parts at the site where the animal died in the same condition and location as when the animal was originally found by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts; and

 

4. A Department law enforcement officer, using the officer’s education, training, and experience, finds no indication that the animal may have been taken unlawfully. The Department may require the finder to take the officer to the site where the animal carcass or parts were found if an adequate description or location cannot be provided to the officer.

 

5. The Department has no duty to confirm legality in the event of non-availability of a Department officer.

 

D. If a Department law enforcement officer determines that the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts is authorized to do so under subsection ©, the officer shall issue a permit authorizing possession of the carcass or its parts. The permit shall contain:

 

1. A general description of the carcass or its parts;

 

2. The date of inspection;

 

3. Species of the wildlife carcass;

 

4. If applicable, horn or antler length and width, and points per side; and

 

5. A statement that the permit must remain with the carcass or its parts.

 

E. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulates the pick-up and possession of migratory birds and their parts. The provisions of this Article and regulations promulgated under the Act apply to a person in possession of birds, feathers, other parts, eggs, and nests.

 

F. Wildlife parts picked up and possessed from areas under control of jurisdictions that prohibit such activity are illegal to possess in this state.

 

 

Amanda I was just reading the wildlife news and some of the stuff written in there seems confusing to me compared to the statute you listed.

 

"Every spring, deer, elk and other upland wildlife lose their antlers. They grow them all winter long, keep them through mating season, then the antlers fall off (or are shed) and the process begins anew.

 

A common question asked of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is if individuals may pick up and keep the head or any part of wildlife they find dead in the field. What may appear to be an easy question actually requires a complicated answer.

 

State law requires an individual to have evidence of legality when possessing or transporting wildlife carcasses or their parts. A hunting license and/or big game tag meets this requirement for wildlife lawfully taken during hunting season. However, if an individual in the field finds dead wildlife, or any part of an animal he or she did not legally take during the hunt, then that individual may not automatically possess and /or transport any of it. An exception is that there are no restrictions on the possession of naturally shed of cast antlers.

 

If an individual wishes to keep such wildlife parts found in the field (other than shed antlers), he/she must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department so an officer can determine the cause of death of the animal. If it is determined the animal died from a natural cause, such as predation, disease, fights, falls, drowning, lightning, etc., the wildlife part may be possessed by the individual. If the officer determines the animal died from an unnatural cause, such as wounding loss, illegal activity or vehicle collision, no part of the wildlife may be possessed or transported.

 

If the cause of death cannot be determined and the wildlife part is fresh, meaning bone or tissue moisture is present and the part is not oxidized, possession will not be allowed. This also applies to parts, such as skulls, where the age cannot be determined because the finder has boiled and/or cleaned them. If the cause of death cannot be determined and the part is old (with no moisture and oxidized), possession will be allowed.

 

Just remember, the key is to contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department prior to picking up the part. There is no way these parts may be lawfully possessed until the department has determined the cause of death.

 

In recent years, the use of off-highway vehicles to go out and find these sheds has increased in popularity. The Game and Fish Department cautions all shed hunters who use OHVs to always stay on roads and trails when out shed hunting."

[Coues Archer]

Maybe you should take it. Duhhh.

[CouesWhitetail]

AGFD recently clarified it's rules on this. Seems like yours would fit in the not fresh category since it's mostly exposed bone.

 

 

 

R12-4-314. Pickup and Possessi on of Wildlife Parts

 

A. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

 

1. “Fresh” means the majority of a carcass or wildlife part that is not exposed dry bone and is comprised mainly of hair, hide, or flesh.

 

2. “Not fresh” means the majority of the carcass or wildlife part is exposed dry bone due to natural processes such as scavenging, decomposition, or weathering.

 

B. If not in conflict with federal law, and notwithstanding any provision in Section R12?4?305 to the contrary, no license, permit, tag or stamp are required to pick up and possess naturally shed antlers and horns or parts of a wildlife carcass that are not fresh.

 

C. If not contrary to federal law or regulation, an individual may only pick up and possess a fresh wildlife carcass or its parts under this Section if the individual notifies the Department and:

 

1. The wildlife carcass or its parts show no evidence of death or wounding from any device used to take wildlife;

 

2. The Department’s first report or knowledge of the carcass or its parts is voluntarily provided by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts;

 

3. A Department law enforcement officer is able to observe the entire carcass and its parts at the site where the animal died in the same condition and location as when the animal was originally found by the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts; and

 

4. A Department law enforcement officer, using the officer’s education, training, and experience, finds no indication that the animal may have been taken unlawfully. The Department may require the finder to take the officer to the site where the animal carcass or parts were found if an adequate description or location cannot be provided to the officer.

 

5. The Department has no duty to confirm legality in the event of non-availability of a Department officer.

 

D. If a Department law enforcement officer determines that the individual wanting to possess the carcass or its parts is authorized to do so under subsection ©, the officer shall issue a permit authorizing possession of the carcass or its parts. The permit shall contain:

 

1. A general description of the carcass or its parts;

 

2. The date of inspection;

 

3. Species of the wildlife carcass;

 

4. If applicable, horn or antler length and width, and points per side; and

 

5. A statement that the permit must remain with the carcass or its parts.

 

E. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulates the pick-up and possession of migratory birds and their parts. The provisions of this Article and regulations promulgated under the Act apply to a person in possession of birds, feathers, other parts, eggs, and nests.

 

F. Wildlife parts picked up and possessed from areas under control of jurisdictions that prohibit such activity are illegal to possess in this state.

 

 

Amanda I was just reading the wildlife news and some of the stuff written in there seems confusing to me compared to the statute you listed.

 

"Every spring, deer, elk and other upland wildlife lose their antlers. They grow them all winter long, keep them through mating season, then the antlers fall off (or are shed) and the process begins anew.

 

A common question asked of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is if individuals may pick up and keep the head or any part of wildlife they find dead in the field. What may appear to be an easy question actually requires a complicated answer.

 

State law requires an individual to have evidence of legality when possessing or transporting wildlife carcasses or their parts. A hunting license and/or big game tag meets this requirement for wildlife lawfully taken during hunting season. However, if an individual in the field finds dead wildlife, or any part of an animal he or she did not legally take during the hunt, then that individual may not automatically possess and /or transport any of it. An exception is that there are no restrictions on the possession of naturally shed of cast antlers.

 

If an individual wishes to keep such wildlife parts found in the field (other than shed antlers), he/she must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department so an officer can determine the cause of death of the animal. If it is determined the animal died from a natural cause, such as predation, disease, fights, falls, drowning, lightning, etc., the wildlife part may be possessed by the individual. If the officer determines the animal died from an unnatural cause, such as wounding loss, illegal activity or vehicle collision, no part of the wildlife may be possessed or transported.

 

If the cause of death cannot be determined and the wildlife part is fresh, meaning bone or tissue moisture is present and the part is not oxidized, possession will not be allowed. This also applies to parts, such as skulls, where the age cannot be determined because the finder has boiled and/or cleaned them. If the cause of death cannot be determined and the part is old (with no moisture and oxidized), possession will be allowed.

 

Just remember, the key is to contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department prior to picking up the part. There is no way these parts may be lawfully possessed until the department has determined the cause of death.

 

In recent years, the use of off-highway vehicles to go out and find these sheds has increased in popularity. The Game and Fish Department cautions all shed hunters who use OHVs to always stay on roads and trails when out shed hunting."

 

 

 

 

I remember that article and I think it came out before they clarified the regulations. What's the date of your article?

 

Amanda

 

[KGAINES]

I sent you the email I received Amanda, maybe you can decipher what it is.

Thank You