There's no such thing as a stupid question, right? Tagging requirements?

[pd]

There are two pertinent WACs.

WAC 232-12-061 addresses tagging.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-061

WAC 232-12-267 addresses transport.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-267

If anyone can find a requirement in the WACs that the tag must be visible, I will stand corrected.

Three cheers for Bob on this one. 

[CedarPants]

Just out of curiosity - what purpose is served by placing the tag somewhere it's not visible?

Honest question, as it's never crossed my mind to do that

[snowpack]

Just out of curiosity - what purpose is served by placing the tag somewhere it's not visible?

Honest question, as it's never crossed my mind to do that

Doesn't get torn off by brush...then you get accused of hunting without a tag, or have to backtrack looking for the lost tag or if you have a hunting partner use their tag.
For bears I attach to largest portion of meat, but the meat is in the game bag with the tag near the top.  All I have to do is open the bag.  For antlered animals I like the clear bags and wrap up with a ton a tape.  You can still see the tag through the bag but it won't get torn off during the pack out.

[bankwalker]

Just out of curiosity - what purpose is served by placing the tag somewhere it's not visible?

Honest question, as it's never crossed my mind to do that

I would place the tag in the mouth hidden from sight if I was packing quarters out and leaving the head/hide for last trip. In case someone tries to steal my game I could call enforcement and prove that it in fact was my game.

I carry card or 2 with my name address etc for this purpose now though. I have had to walk miles in heavily hunted areas tp get my truck after shooting a deer. And its always a fear of mine someone would see me leave my kill for extended period of time.

[luvmystang67]

Just out of curiosity - what purpose is served by placing the tag somewhere it's not visible?

Honest question, as it's never crossed my mind to do that

I would place the tag in the mouth hidden from sight if I was packing quarters out and leaving the head/hide for last trip. In case someone tries to steal my game I could call enforcement and prove that it in fact was my game.

I carry card or 2 with my name address etc for this purpose now though. I have had to walk miles in heavily hunted areas tp get my truck after shooting a deer. And its always a fear of mine someone would see me leave my kill for extended period of time.

I know its sad, but I second this reason.  Also on something like an elk kill at dusk, if you have to skin it out partially and get the rest in the morning, we always hide the tag on the animal.  During combat hunting, elk modern season, this is a real concern. 

[CedarPants]

Cool, thanks guys.

Didn't mean to get off topic 

[Bob33]

There is no legal requirement for the tag to be visible.

I got torn a new one for having a bear hanging with a tag and the whole thing was in a giant game bag.  He said, "it has to be where I can see it"

Ask him to quote the WAC. I do not believe there is one.

  Bob, I didn't mean that argumentatively I just meant that there is definitely a modicum of confusion or at least difference in opinions with the LEOs out there.

I was only nineteen and didn't have much of a leg to stand on with him.  He also told me that I better have a good story for the doe in camp.  It was an antlerless tag my Dad drew for the same unit he was patrolling that he didn't know about. he had to eat a little bit of crow.

I didn’t take it offensively at all.

With all due respect, there are far too many WACs, RCWs, and policies for even the brightest of the brightest enforcement officer to remember each of them. Furthermore, they change from time to time. Simply put, officers can make mistakes. I like to believe the vast majority are not intentional, but regardless – they make mistakes.

If an officer asked me to make a tag visible, and I had no good reason not to, I would most likely comply. If I had a valid reason I would respectfully question the officer to cite the specific law. If I was cited I would most certainly fight it.

I don’t know where the idea that a tag must be visible came from. Perhaps it was in a WAC that changed at some point in the past. It’s interesting to see that language in the big game pamphlet. As we know, and as is freely acknowledged the pamphlets are a rewritten synopsis of actual laws, and are not necessarily complete and accurate. I can point out several things in the 2013 big game pamphlet that are not correct.

[BsB]

I saw and read the WAC's, so the writing in the regs has no legal authority? Just looks good on paper?

"Securely attached to the carcass in a VISIBLE manner."


I just realized blacktailsniper already stated this. Doh.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[bobcat]

I saw and read the WAC's, so the writing in the regs has no legal authority? Just looks good on paper?

Yes, pretty much. Look on page 11. They have a "disclaimer" there. Titled "WAC Summary Information."

[Bob33]

"I saw and read the WAC's, so the writing in the regs has no legal authority? Just looks good on paper?"

The pamphlet has no legal authority. You will not be cited for a "violation of page 79." There must be a WAC or RCW.

[Blacktail Sniper]

"I saw and read the WAC's, so the writing in the regs has no legal authority? Just looks good on paper?"

The pamphlet has no legal authority. You will not be cited for a "violation of page 79." There must be a WAC or RCW.

True!

[jackmaster]

stuff it in the bears mouth and lashe it closed... all will be fine and dandy

[Mike450r]

If it is not in a WAC or RCW it is a usually a recommendation.  It could have been made case law by a court decision and not be in a WAC or RCW but I doubt it.

[Bob33]

Page 78 of the Big Game pamphlet refers to “Prohibited Hunting Methods.” One of the prohibited hunting methods reads as follows:

6. Discharging a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of any public highway, regardless of surface, is prohibited, except for hunters with disabilities in compliance with WAC 232-12-828.

That sounds black and white, doesn’t it?

However, when you read the RCW you will find that it is not entirely so.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx? cite=77.15.460

“A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if the person negligently discharges a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway.”

Do you see word negligently in the pamphlet? No.

When someone says it is (always) illegal to discharge a firearm from a public highway, he is incorrect, but reading the pamphlet alone one would reach that conclusion.

[CedarPants]

Do they define a "public highway" anywhere?