What is a 133" pick up worth

[JLW]

Thanks, James and TLH.

 

I'd sure like to read the actual law. Guess I need to search the Arizona Revised Statutes one more time.

 

Bill Quimby

State law requires an individual to have evidence of legality when possessing or transporting wildlife carcasses or their parts

17-309. Violations; classification

 

A. Unless otherwise prescribed by this title, it is unlawful for a person to:

 

1. Violate any provision of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title.

 

2. Take, possess, transport, buy, sell or offer or expose for sale wildlife except as expressly permitted by this title.

 

3. Destroy, injure or molest livestock, growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards, or other improvements while hunting, trapping or fishing.

 

4. Discharge a firearm while taking wildlife within one-fourth mile of an occupied farmhouse or other residence, cabin, lodge or building without permission of the owner or resident.

 

5. Take a game bird, game mammal or game fish and knowingly permit an edible portion thereof to go to waste, except as provided in section 17-302.

 

6. Take big game, except bear or mountain lion, with the aid of dogs.

 

7. Make more than one use of a shipping permit or coupon issued by the commission.

 

8. Obtain a license or take wildlife during the period for which the person's license has been revoked or suspended or the person has been denied a license.

 

9. Litter hunting and fishing areas while taking wildlife.

 

10. Possess while hunting any contrivance designed to silence, muffle or minimize the report of a firearm.

 

11. Take wildlife during the closed season.

 

12. Take wildlife in an area closed to the taking of that wildlife.

 

13. Take wildlife with an unlawful device.

 

14. Take wildlife by an unlawful method.

 

15. Take wildlife in excess of the bag limit.

 

16. Possess wildlife in excess of the possession limit.

 

17. Possess or transport any wildlife or parts of the wildlife which was unlawfully taken.

 

18. Possess or transport the carcass of big game without a valid tag being attached.

 

19. Use the edible parts of any game mammal or any part of any game bird or nongame bird as bait.

 

20. Possess or transport the carcass or parts of a carcass of any wildlife which cannot be identified as to species and legality.

 

21. Take game animals, game birds and game fish with an explosive compound, poison or any other deleterious substances.

 

22. Import into this state or export from this state the carcass or parts of a carcass of any wildlife unlawfully taken or possessed.

 

B. Unless a different or other penalty or punishment is specifically prescribed a person who violates any provision of this title, or who violates or fails to comply with a lawful order or rule of the commission, is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

 

C. A person who knowingly takes any big game during a closed season or who knowingly possesses, transports or buys any big game which was unlawfully taken during a closed season is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

 

D. A person is guilty of a class 6 felony who knowingly:

 

1. Barters, sells or offers for sale any big game or parts of big game taken unlawfully.

 

2. Barters, sells or offers for sale any wildlife or parts of wildlife unlawfully taken during a closed season.

 

3. Barters, sells or offers for sale any wildlife or parts of wildlife imported or purchased in violation of this title or a lawful rule of the commission.

 

4. Assists another person for monetary gain with the unlawful taking of big game.

 

5. Takes or possesses wildlife while under permanent revocation under section 17-340, subsection B.

 

E. A peace officer who knowingly fails to enforce a lawful rule of the commission or this title is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

 

james

[COUESAZ]

So what about all the coues racks I have on my sons walls from all the years of legally taking them. They have no tags on them. And what about my mounts. Do I stand a chance of being fined when I move and a game warden was to see them. Legit question. I am looking for an honest answer.

[JLW]

I always have tag soup... haha!

not sure on that... maybe for future keep a photo album of your tags.

I haven't heard anyone getting in trouble for that.

do they have to show proof like that when the sportsman shows go around the country?

good question.... not sure how strict that kind of thing is.

I was just posting the specific law.

If I find a deadhead with a nice rack I sure would pick it up and deal with whatever later as I'm sure most would!

 

James

[billrquimby]

18. Possess or transport the carcass of big game without a valid tag being attached.

 

 

I am not a lawyer, but I think a good one could get the charges dropped if that is the law/rule they are using to prosecute someone for possessing a skull and antlers, especially if it is obvious that the critter had not died recently. There must be something else written somewhere.

 

I couldn't find it in two readings of Title 17 of the Arizona Revised Statutes or in the Game and Fish Commission Rules. Is it merely an opinion of an assistant attorney general that wildlife managers are using as a guide?

 

The question is relevant, because it is highly doubtful that anyone on this forum (including me) would walk away from a bleached elk skull with 400-plus antlers, or call a wildlife manager and wait for someone to arrive to inspect the site and give us permission to take the head home.

 

Bill Quimby

[scottk]

I have to admit I have turned in several. The biggest was a 330" 6x6 bull. I could clearly see an arrow in it, so I thought it was the right thing to do. We even helped pack it out and believe me it was ripe!

 

The same G&F officer told me of a 370" bull that he had given to a finder that same year. Apparently they found it got tangled in a fence and was gored. At least that is what I remember the story being.

 

I have heard of antlers being taken from guys that in their opinion died of natural causes, but I havent had that kind of experience with the officers. Until the law changes I will continue doing it. Even as hard as it is to give up those antlers.

[billrquimby]

"Until the law changes I will continue doing it. Even as hard as it is to give up those antlers. "

 

I certainly would like to read the actual law to make certain I do not break it the next time I find a head. If nothing else, I'd like to know if there is a clause grandfathering all the old heads I picked up when I was younger.

 

Bill Quimby

[COUESAZ]

That's what I'm talki g about Bill. Sounds like one of those laws that by interpretation could cost a lot of time and money be waisted on people that picked heads up years ago. And then how will they know for sure. Oh I know they will just take it and if you ever get it back then you will know it was legal. Just like in the sting against Ryan Hatch and a few others at other times they lost heads that were passed down in the family and never got them back. Or got them back damaged. (just to prove a point in my opinion). I hate more laws and regulation so I get sour about it.

[westernhunter23]

Great topic! AZG&F has their own section on this forum. AZG&F maybe you could provide some insight to the members?

[CalebFortner]

Back to the antlers: Man those are beautiful. I agree with Couse 'N' Sheep, easily $1200.