In NC....we have to purchase a license....AND we have to have our Big game report card.

Two separate pieces of paper.....but I'll show you how I almost was in his same boat.

Night beofre the opener.....2007. Our licenses run for one calendar year. I'd bought my '06 license in Oct.....so it was still good. I figure I've got a good month of hunting before I have to purchase a new license. Everything's legal.

BUT.....What I Didn't know is.....we HAVE to get a new report card. These expire on June 1, I think. So.....luckily Wal-Mart is open 24hrs....and I go ahead and buy a new tag and get my report card.

Accidents occur. I would have been guilty of ignorance if I'd taken a deer on the opener.....but it WOULD have been an honest mistake. I can see it happening.

Did it happen in this case? Can't say for sure either way. I can tell you this.....if I'd taken that deer I think I'd kept my mouth shut.....and I CERTAINLY wouldn't have entered it in a contest.