Free: Contests & Raffles.
I just said that, look at page 5 in the hunting regulations. however you should have not left the cow, with out gutting it.period.
How long was it there? The fact that they took the time to gut it makes me think it was there a little longer then you say. Its possible they felt it was gonna go to waste since you didn't gut it. But they still should of just gutted it and waited. Sounds like a total d-bag thing to do. But I know I would be really pissed if I came up to an animal tagged in the Fall and not gutted. I am sorry this happened to you but please be a little more prepared next time. Your knife should be on you at all times. Get another tag and learn from your mistakes and go get another. I doubt it was that RAY guy it was most likely some drunks driving around.
I bet "Ray" stashed the meat in a hidey hole and waited for you to come back to discover the theft then leave again. Was his truck parked anywhere nearby? You won't remember the plate but maybe you can remember the make/model/color. If anyone else has this happen to them remember to take inventory of vehicle plates if you see some parked behind a locked gate or parking area. That would help more than anything else other than catching him red handed.
He might of seen your cow and knew if he took off. He could get to his rig and when you hiked back that he would be long gone. I always drag off and hide my game If I have to leave it. I also tag, gut, and take lots of pictures to I D it. Little crazy but some people are Big D's Sorry for your loss. Just report it and get a 2nd tag. You didn't bring home a animal. So report the tag a lost.