rather_be_huntin,

My point was more philosophical than legal. I just think the word "own" does not do justice to the animal population. The state did not purchase the animal, it just happens to reside on land the state manages. The state doesn't "own" the land, how can it "own" the animal. If in fact the state does "own" all the animals it manages, why are they not all tagged indicating it belongs to them. If the animal is in their state, they have the right to manage the animal, I just don't think "own" is the correct word. I don't disagree with the substance of anything you said, it's just a symantics thing.