How do those of you who hunt migratory gamebirds out of state handle transporting harvested birds? I am planning on visiting my brother in SC this fall and would like to take some dove out there for a barbeque but don't want to run into problems with the law.
Transporting Game
HPL
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Joined
·
7,014 Posts
How do those of you who hunt migratory gamebirds out of state handle transporting harvested birds? I am planning on visiting my brother in SC this fall and would like to take some dove out there for a barbeque but don't want to run into problems with the law.
Joined
·
167 Posts
You have to keep a wing attached to the breast in order to prove what they really are. If you already have the dove, what I would do is freeze them and then pack them in the bottom of the cooler. What's the chance of actually getting stopped? And if they are vacuum packed and already frozen then it's pretty clear they weren't just killed if by some crazy chance you were checked.
Joined
·
14,806 Posts
the one wing on is right for from duck blind to home / hunting camp.
once all wrapped up and in freezer. to be persnikidy the hunters stamp # and name should be on.
if a warden was in your freezer or cooler legal possesion numbers still apply.
if in a zip lock bag with sauce going to a cook out..
........ well, it looks like chicken don't it?
once all wrapped up and in freezer. to be persnikidy the hunters stamp # and name should be on.
if a warden was in your freezer or cooler legal possesion numbers still apply.
if in a zip lock bag with sauce going to a cook out..
........ well, it looks like chicken don't it?
Joined
·
7,014 Posts
Actually, I tried that, but we are talking about leaving Texas, crossing LA, Ms, Al, Ga, and then into SC. Googling didn't help very much, so I wondered how those of you who hunt out of state handle transporting your migratory game bird (since they are subject to FEDERAL regs) kills. Thought that some of you might have some insight. BTW, possession limits, as I understand them, don't apply once the game is processed and in your freezer. In Texas, possession limits are generally two days' limits, but your season limit of dove, for instance, is over 1000 birds.
Joined
·
329 Posts
So, read the transportation regs for each of those states....typically, they will have something in common, like they must have a wing attached...then some will say, must have a wing and head attached. Do whatever complies with all states that you are traveling through.
Based on your original post, I would guess that you already have them breasted out and don't have a wing or head attached...if that's the case, cold pack and ship overnight...just be sure someone is going to be home to receive them...then you don't have to worry about it.
Joined
·
14,806 Posts
'cause New England is so small I can hunt Vt. Quebec and NY State in one boat ride. I take shot birds over state and federal lines every season. I stand by what I typed above.
I know first hand of a person cuffed and stuffed by federal wardens over possesion limit violations in his home freezer.
It was not the only thing they got him on that day, but was added to the list. If you are in possesion of the freezer, it is yours. Another I know almost got the same over training birds! Good thing they all had the clipped toenail.
The statement about possession is inaccurate. Possession limits most certainly apply and I suspect your home state has a labeling requirement which likely includes the takers name, date placed in storage and permit number. Dove is a federal bird and one which is not required to have a wing attached for transportation purposes. It sounds like your question would be best answered by a agent with the fish and wildlife service.
Joined
·
7,014 Posts
I have been reading the federal migratory game bird regs, and they are pretty vague as to possession at the permanent residence, but I thought this particular reg was pretty funny:
(b) In Alaska, any person may, for subsistence purposes, take, possess, and transport, in any manner and at any time, snowy owls and cormorants and their eggs for food and their skins for clothing, but the birds and eggs so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale.
(b) In Alaska, any person may, for subsistence purposes, take, possess, and transport, in any manner and at any time, snowy owls and cormorants and their eggs for food and their skins for clothing, but the birds and eggs so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale.
Joined
·
27 Posts
Just to follow up on the posession question, I had the opportunity two years ago to speak with the US Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Special Agent in Charge (i.e., law enforcement) in Denver about the posession question: Once processed, do the birds still count against your posession limit? The answer was a definite "yes, they count towards your posession limits." You have to either eat them or gift them to other people (while providing written documentation to the recipient the species, gender, number, etc. of what they are receiving) for them not to be counted towards your posession. Hope this helps.
Mike
Mike
I haven't had a chance to refresh my memory but the daily limit for doves is 15. New last year Feds changed to allow a person a 3 day possession limit. So 45 doves would be the maximum allowed to be possessed by any single person at any one time. Possession limits would include any birds you were transporting plus any birds you have in storage. Once birds are moved to consumption or gifted they no longer are considered in your possession.
I understand how you could think it is not enforced but I suspect it is used as a tool more than you realize. Sounds like you should visit with your local warden(assuming you want to be in compliance). I tell people all the time to call and ask questions. The passenger seat of my work truck is not the time to be learning the regulations!!
I understand how you could think it is not enforced but I suspect it is used as a tool more than you realize. Sounds like you should visit with your local warden(assuming you want to be in compliance). I tell people all the time to call and ask questions. The passenger seat of my work truck is not the time to be learning the regulations!!
Joined
·
7,014 Posts
It's statements like this that only tend to obfuscate the issue. If you mean once they are cooked, or once they are eaten, just say that.
Joined
·
125 Posts
Just drive.... put in cooler and drive....
Joined
·
2,769 Posts
That's probably what I'd do too.
If they're already gunnin' for your ass, they're gonna hit it with as many bullets as they can.
But, if they have no reason to mess with you, they aren't going to bother you about piddly BS.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
