Your buddy got a raw deal and I believe he could fight it. A similar situation happened to me last year. I shot a limit of birds, cleaned them at home, put meat in freezer and put bag of carcasses in bag in the back of my truck for disposal elsewhere. Next morning I am checked by two FEDERAL wardens. I have shot five of six at that time. They inquire about the bag of ducks and ask me to accompany them to my truck to check them. Warden opens bag, sees that carcasses are cold and breasts are gone. He asks where breasts are. I tell him at home in the freezer. He tells me, and his partner agreed, that as long as I did not have the breast and the carcass both in the truck I was fine. If the birds had been whole, I would have been in trouble.

On another out of town trip right after that, state game warden checks us on day two with a limit of fresh birds and another limit breasted in the cooler. Same story, to him it was obvious that the cooler birds were shot the day before. He said the same thing as the Feds had said.

This would not apply however if it was opening day.