I justed started last year doing taxidermy for money, I have a customer that can not come up with a check tag or a phone check in confermation number, he is telling me the deer was killed on private land and he did not need to check it. I have the deer caped out and in my freezer, I live in VA. what should I do?
Thanks!
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Even on Private land you have to take it to a game check in station to recive a tag. You don't need a hunting Lic. but do need a landowners permit. I would say check your state laws By calling your DNR office and ask to speak with law enforcement and ask a what if ? because your costermer may not know. If it came off of a high fence area that may he may not need one?
I know that in SC there are no requirements to check a deer in, in person or by phone. Check stations were done away with by the DNR quite a few years back. The only tagging required is for doe's killed during non-doe days and for these you have to buy the tag beforehand to enable you to shoot one. With a valid hunting license and big game permit you're good to go. It is possible that he is legit. That's where a statement on your contract with the customer might come in handy -- certifiying that the animal was harvested in compliance with state laws and regulations.
At our state assoc. convention, we had a couple of wildlife enforcement officers talk about our laws here in NC. In NC, a taxidermist can be charged (and arrested) if they knowingly take in an illegal specimen...it doesn't matter if the customer signed a statement or not.
You should know the laws regarding the checking in of deer in your state. If you are unsure, call your state DNR and ask. If the deer needs a tag and your customer doesn't have one, I would call him and tell him to come get it immediately or pitch it in the garbage. You don't want to be caught with an illegal specimen in your freezers...
I am pretty sure its not checked right. For a land owner, you still have to check your deer in Viriginia. You use a land ower's tag which is simply a peace of paper attached to the animal. Then you take (or call it in) to a game checking station they will take this paper, and issue you a check tag.
I would not touch this one with a 10 foot pole. But this is just my opinion.
Rob
it alone. Too much risk involved! Tell him to take it somewhere else.
Any deer in Va. needs a conformation/tag #. You'll be mounting it at your own risk.