Originally Posted By: SedlakNewbie question now I have wondered what would happen should something like this take place I know even without a tag you can shoot to defend yourself but what happens if you don't have a tag does Fish and Game take it away ?
I can only speak to my understanding of the regulations in Arizona. AZ tags are $14 I buy next years tag for Christmas every year, it's a no brainer. However, if you shoot in self defense without a tag don't load the animal up, don't even touch it. Get game and fish out there asap and be happy to be alive. In Arizona they will take the carcass as a part of the investigation and will hold it to at least the end of the hunting season. At the end of the season you can pick up the carcass.
Arizona state law (A.R.S. 17-302)and a corresponding Game and Fish regulation (R12-4-305(H).
I read up on all the regulations, obsessively. I keep a copy of the regulations in my truck, my backpack, on my desk, and probably most importantly on the back of my toilet.
I also wont be going out again until I have a new tag, which is going to limit my solo hunting to areas with a multiple bag limit.