Okay, look. I'm not trying to start a fight or anything, just pointing to the regs as per the story.

As per the "tagging" and "feild possesion" requirements if your friend left the birds in the cooler while out hunting then by definition it's a violation.

I'm with you, it sucks, but, if the officer is the type that goes solely by the book there's not much you can do.

Without knowing what reg/article was quoted on the ticket it's just a guess. A C.O. might not have given your buddy a ticket if he had properly tagged the bag.