MT evidence of sex

[Stein]

Evidence of Sex (MCA 87-6-406)
A person who kills a game animal in this state shall retain evidence of sex of the animal with the carcass until it is processed. The provisions of this section do not apply to a game animal harvested using a license with which either sex of the animal may be taken. Evidence of sex
does not need to be naturally attached. A person who kills a game animal in a hunting district where the harvest is limited by the animal’s antler point or horn size shall retain the antlers or horns until the carcass is processed.

is this new?  I don't have a copy of the old regs but it seems like it had to be naturally attached and always present no matter the tag.

I also can't find any requirements for evidence of species?  I guess it could be implied that you have to prove it was a whitetail vs mulie, but it doesn't seem to say it specifically.  I looked up the MCA laws and there is nothing in there about evidence of species, just sex.

So, if I am in an any whitetail unit, I don't need evidence of sex but might need evidence of species to prove it isn't a mule deer?

[NRA4LIFE]

What, you mean you can't tell the difference between a mule deer testicle and a white tail's?  They taste completely different too. 

All kidding aside, that must be fairly new.  However, I like it.  Keeping the evidence on the carcass was a pain and a bit messy with the hair, especially when having to pack out.  I hadn't read the regs yet for this year yet, but this is a good thing, IMO. 

[Dansk]

Yep- that's new.  Time saver for sure when boning out in the field!

Did you get that from the regs or from Montana state code/law?

[vandeman17]

I am wondering if it has anything to do with now having to bone them out when killed by non residents?

[Stein]

Yep- that's new.  Time saver for sure when boning out in the field!

Did you get that from the regs or from Montana state code/law?

Both.  New regs actually list for each regulation whether it is a state law (MCA) or a commission regulation (CR).  I started with the regs, found nothing and then went through the MCAs online and couldn't find anything about evidence of species.  I even did a keyword search in the entire MCA library.

I assume you need evidence of species because you can't tag the wrong species, but it really should call it out unless you can simply claim it's legal and it's on MT to prove otherwise.

I did some Googling and it seems like they changed the sex evidence rule based on residents complaining about having to have it attached and getting their meat dirty.

I found the 2017 regs, they called out sex and species, so species has been intentionally dropped in 2020

• It is illegal to possess or transport the carcass of any big game animal unless evidence of the
animal’s sex and species remains naturally attached to its carcass or a portion of the carcass

I sent an e-mail to the sarge for the area I hunt so hopefully I'll get a confirmation on evidence of species that is written in the event it is not longer required.

[Slamadoo]

I've always ground up my burger and cut and wrapped my steaks before returning home so I have never worried about it. I do like the law change. Attached is ridiculous.

[Stein]

Tons of check stations and drive by, so I'm triple careful about it.  I can't remember the last time I hunted in MT without seeing a Warden or check station, either I hunt in poacher places or they get around.

I will process it in MT, but between the kill site and processing site is in question here.  I'll post if I get any reply from the warden.

[callturner]

Page 22 of the regs, MCA87-6-406. second from bottom right.

[callturner]

Must be retained with, not attached to the carcass

[Stein]

That's evidence of sex, I'm trying to find the requirement for evidence of species. 

[bobcat]

Sounds like they're copying Wyoming regulations.

[KNOPHISH]

I am wondering if it has anything to do with now having to bone them out when killed by non residents?

I think this is only for harvest in CWD zones but will call to verify.

[Stein]

I am wondering if it has anything to do with now having to bone them out when killed by non residents?

I think this is only for harvest in CWD zones but will call to verify.

No, you can't bring a MT deer into WA without deboning, doesn't matter where it was shot.  Any state that has any confirmed CWD is the same, debone before moving out of state.

I don't think it has anything to do with deboning, nothing you could save for evidence of sex is attached to a bone other than the head.

[Dansk]

Additionally,  you need to remove all bones and skull before leaving the CWD zone/area you are hunting. Not just the state... per That's per MT, not WA.

[Stein]

Additionally,  you need to remove all bones and skull before leaving the CWD zone/area you are hunting. Not just the state... per That's per MT, not WA.

I think that changed too.

There are no carcass transport restrictions within the state. A carcass may be moved anywhere in the state regardless of where it was harvested as long as the carcass parts are disposed of in a landfill after butchering / processing.

http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/diseasesAndResearch/diseases/chronicWastingDisease/management.html