? about proof of gender and breaking down meat in the backcountry

[alpentalic]

I'm having a hard time navigating the wdfw website for specific info on proof of gender and legal size when you decide to break down or quarter your animal before bringing it back to your truck. I am really only interested in the meat so do I have to keep the head/antlers? I need to keep the penis attached to on of the hams? thanks in advance.

[724wd]

if you're in an area with antler point restrictions, you need the antlers.  otherwise, you'd be fine with leaving genitals on the largest piece of meat.

[Bob33]

Get the Big Game pamphlet and read the sections on proof of sex and transporting game.

[Curly]

from page 79 of the regs:

3. Evidence of Animal's Sex:
It is illegal to possess or transport big game animals unless evidence of the animal's sex is left naturally attached to the carcass until the carcass is processed or stored for consumption. Evidence of sex means:
••Male - head with antlers or horns attached or penis or testes any of which must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.
••Female - the head or udder must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.

Big game taken in antler or horn restriction areas: The head or skull plate, with both horns or both antlers naturally attached, must accompany the carcass while in transit or in possession.

Just bring the skull plate with antlers and all your meat.

edit - oh yeah, also I think you need to leave the penis or testes attached if you are just bring the skull plate w/ antlers.

[alpentalic]

 Thank you!

[wilsongideon]

I was checked by a game warden last year in the backcountry. I had the animal boned out in game bags and just had the head and antlers with tag attached. no testes and the head was severed at the spine. he asked to see my license and chatted with me about the succes of hunters that year.