I don't know what to say. We don't have to check in deer but we do have to report other animals in certain towns. It's something you have to remember doing. If your buddy and you forgot, well this is the result so far. Hopefully this isn't serious but it must be for a C.O. To go this far..I'm sorry that you forgot and the situation your in,
but don't talk, don't answer get a lawyer. Don't let them in your house without search warrants.They are obviously out for blood..
The British Columbia Regs state you should (doesn't say you must) keep all tags fir as long as you own your mount.That being said your buddy can get his stuff
back from these awsome ideas.
The paper trail isn't hard to follow though. Taxidermists will have tag and licence records of all work completed for a mandatory 7 years, and longer.Butchers and processors will have the same records for a mandatory 7 year period.Field pictures will also be handy,get ahold of all these pics throughout the years , and get testimonials of all buddies that where there during each particular kill.
Both may never throw this stuff away, you never know. But yeah you keep your licence and tags for as long as you own those mounts.
Never get rid of them.