Bear Tooth

[StanwoodSpartan]

Alright. I got my first bear, and I reported it to the state and filled out their little deal. Now I know that you also have to turn in the bears tooth. I was told the taxidermist takes care of this usually, but I am waiting til I have the funds to get the rug done. Do I have to do the tooth thing in a certain amoutn of time...like the ten days I had to report the kill?? Or should I wait til I get the skull done to report the tooth (shouldn't be more than a month or two)?

[beardown]

my taxidermist doesnt do it, but he might just be lazy   I dont think that there is a time limit.  I havent sent one from ther last 8 bears I have killed and they have never said anything to me.

[Michelle_Nelson]

It's not the taxidermists reponsibility to turn in the teeth.

I usually keep envalopes here at the shop and when someone drops off a bear with a skull to be cleaned than I remove the tooth and send it off for the hunter.  Easier than having them come pick the tooth up. 

[Whitelightning]

Alright. I got my first bear, and I reported it to the state and filled out their little deal. Now I know that you also have to turn in the bears tooth. I was told the taxidermist takes care of this usually, but I am waiting til I have the funds to get the rug done. Do I have to do the tooth thing in a certain amoutn of time...like the ten days I had to report the kill?? Or should I wait til I get the skull done to report the tooth (shouldn't be more than a month or two)?

Ten day's to report ther Kill? I must not br reading the reg's correctly I dont see that requirment. Am I missing something?

[Michelle_Nelson]

I know there is a time limit on reporting Cougar.

[StanwoodSpartan]

On the bottom of the Tag it says "Successful hunters should submit a hunter report within 10 days of the kill." On the website to report it says there is a $10 fine if not. Still wondering if anyone has a for sure or not if there is a time limit on turning in the tooth?

[KillBilly]

my taxidermist doesnt do it, but he might just be lazy   I dont think that there is a time limit.  I havent sent one from ther last 8 bears I have killed and they have never said anything to me.

Ouch......shhhhhh

[Rufous]

There is no time limit on the tooth but why not just extract it yourself. I do. It is a bit tricky but not terribly difficult. Just go gently (and make sure you take out the proper tooth) with a sharp knife and screwdriver. Be careful not to chip the knife or the tooth.

[Michelle_Nelson]

The skull is more than likely frozen inside of the hide.  I would not recomend thawing it out just to extract a tooth.  You run a real good chance of the hide slipping.  Bear Hides can take 3 days or more to freeze with the skull in them.  Atleast 2 days to fully thaw.  Not a good idea.

Just have the Taxi call you when it is un thawed and go pull the tooth than.  Or if the taxi will do it.  Fill out the envalope and let them send in the tooth.  I do it for my customers all the time.

[dasbear]

OK guys dont panic if you havn't done it yet. as I read it: successful hunters SHOULD not MUST this is to encourage reporting ASAP. However they say report when you are finished hunting for the species Since I'm planning on picking up another tag I will report after the season. You will only be fined if you dont report by JANUARY 31st.
Reread the regs and tell me if I'm wrong.

Patrick

[Whitelightning]

dasbear,
That is how I read the regulation also. I dont report turkey until late season is done.

[Michelle_Nelson]

I went to the reginal office today and asked them about the Bear Tooth and reporting thing.  They said YES you should report the kill with in 10 day and NO there is not a time limit on sending in a tooth.  Also said that the sooner you get the topth to them the sooner they can age the bear.

[billythekidrock]

I went to the reginal office today and asked them about the Bear Tooth and reporting thing.  They said YES you should report the kill with in 10 day and NO there is not a time limit on sending in a tooth.  Also said that the sooner you get the topth to them the sooner they can age the bear.

Correct, no time limit on tooth submital.
But getting it to them sooner does NOT get it aged quicker. It used to be that they (F&W) would send the teeth to be aged quarterly and you could call and get the age within 6 months, usually around April or May.  First they told me it takes nine months after the kill to get an age report, and when I called in May, June July they told me that the nine months started months after the end of bear season. Now they have told me that they wait until after the season and send them all in at the same time and get all the results in at the same time.