Hi Ralph,
Agreed about the tags. The main reason O think check stations ought to be tried is that the PGC has done an abysmal job of gaining credibility with their numbers. Whether their numbers are accurate or not, there are obviously a number of hunters out there who don't trust them. I just think the check station idea might put that problem to bed. WVA checks every deer abd I'm pretty sure that they don't pay the check stations more much more than that postage free card we now have costs the PGC. If not check stations, maybe your idea would be ok but maybe more vigorous enforcement of the rule is needed too. In all my years I know of one guy fined for not reporting his deer. (Deputy found the number part of his tag that had ripped off in the woods on a rainy day and came to his house just itchin to write a ticket and that was the only ticket he could come up with.
BTW, I don.t really want crossbows either but would rather see them than rifles in early archery season! Heck, put em in with the smoke poles and call it a primitive weapon season!