Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 51) Antlerless deer licenses are required to hunt for antlerless deer during any deer season, except by flintlock hunters during the post-Christmas muzzleloader season, and only then if the hunter has not used his or her general license (buck) tag. An unused buck tag is valid for an antlerless deer anywhere in the state only during the flintlock deer season. As a modest token to commemorate your first big game trophy, the Game Commission has specially prepared a certificate suitable for framing that may be downloaded from the agency’s website and then printed on your printer at home. Visit www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on “First Big Game Harvest” certificate and then fill in the appropriate information. Common Violations A review of the most common violations of the Game & Wildlife Code during recent concurrent antlered/antlerless proved to be: • Unlawful taking, possession and transportation of wildlife. • Failure to properly tag big game. Deer must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. Tag must be attached to the ear and remain attached until the animal is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting (Use a safety pin to attach tag to ear of deer you’re planning to get mounted). • Loaded firearms in vehicles not in motion. • Hunt or take wildlife through the use of bait or enticement. Other common violations included using a vehicle to locate game, commonly known as roadhunting, and not wearing or displaying the required amount of fluorescent orange safety material. How to Handle “Mistake Kill” PROPER CARE AFTER YOUR DEER IS DOWN After a rewarding day in the field, the real work begins. Do not let improper handling of your harvested deer spoil your successful hunt. These tips will help get your deer from the field to your freezer. • Field-dress deer as soon as possible to ensure rapid loss of body heat, prevent surface bacteria from growing, and maintain overall quality of the meat. • To reduce your risk of exposure to disease, wear disposable plastic gloves while handling animals. Using clean water, premoistened wipes, or alcohol wipes, clean your knife frequently between cuts to prevent bacterial contamination. If gut shot: • Field-dress as soon as possible to remove the entrails. • Trim all visible feces or ingesta with a clean knife. Clean the knife regularly between cuts. • If you need to wash the cavity to remove contamination, dry it thoroughly with a dry cloth or paper towels. • Prop open the body cavity to circulate air. After field-dressing: • Clean, ventilate and dry the body cavity. • Prop open the body cavity with a clean stick or branch. If possible, keep the opening up since heat rises. • Remove all visible dirt, feces, hair, and bloodshot areas. Clean out entrail residue and drain excess blood. • Wipe the inside of the body cavity with a dry cloth or paper towels. • Upon arrival at home or camp, remove the hide and refrigerate the carcass (below 40°F) as soon as possible to prevent spoilage and maintain the quality of the meat. A helpful guide to field-dress a deer is a pamphlet (Field Dressing Deer Pocket Guide) available from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences at: Publications Distribution Center, Penn State University, 112 Agricultural Administration Bld., University Park, PA 16802-2602. 814-865-6713. www.cas.psu.edu Any person who by accident or mistake kills any deer (an antlerless deer in mistake for a buck (antlered deer), or a buck in mistake for an antlerless deer, or a buck that does not meet required antler restrictions) shall immediately, but no later than 12 hours after the kill, deliver and surrender the entire carcass, less entrails, to any Game Commission officer in the county in which killed and make a written, sworn statement explaining when, where and how the accident or mistake occurred. Each licensed person who kills any deer shall immediately, and before moving the carcass, fully complete the proper tag in compliance with printed instructions and attach only the tag to the deer’s ear. Upon investigation, if the officer determines no carelessness or negligence was involved, the deer will be turned in to the officer, restitution of $25 for each mistake deer shall be paid, and the hunter will be issued another tag to pursue another deer. If the officer receiving the payment and written statement after further review and investigation is not satisfied the killing or attempted killing was an accident or mistake, but was caused by negligence or carelessness, or if the person fails to pay the prescribed restitution within 10 days, the person shall be prosecuted for the unlawful killing or attempted killing of game or wildlife. If convicted, that person would be subject to a minimum fine of $100 per deer. If you fail to report and deliver a deer killed by accident or mistake, you will be subject to a fine up to $800 and license revocation. If you need to know where to deliver a deer you have killed by accident or mistake, or you have information about anyone who has failed to report a deer killed by accident or mistake, contact the Game Commission region office servicing your area. See page 3 for phone numbers. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us http://www.cas.psu.edu
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