MissouriTrapper

I have to make a point that has aggrevated me for a long time. The other day I was hunting and decided to take a passing doe since the weather here is getting cold enough to let one hang. So I took my doe and on the way home I drove 20 miles out of the way so that I could let someone check my deer and put a tag on it. This young lady had no idea if I had shot a buck or a doe. To tell you the truth I don't believe she even knew what I shot it with. Anyway, the point that I am trying to make is that I am tired of wasting my time checking in the animals I take.
When I go to Colorado to hunt there are not check in stations to check in my elk. You simply go hunting and take your game. This makes lugging your prize all around the area looking for someone to put a tag on it and tell you to get on down the road. Early in the spring you will generally get a courtesy call from the Colorado Division of Wildlife asking how many animals you saw and if you made any kills.
I have heard the arguments that without checking stations illegal hunting would go out of sight. This point is rather ridiculous and since I live out in the country and most of my neighbors shoot deer all year round for food, I make the argument that illegal hunters don't care if you have to check in your game or not. They are going to shoot what they want, when they want, and will not care.
I was just wondering what some of you fellow hunters thought of this checking station thing and what states require such a wast of time?

Missouri Trapper

Belle Island

No check stations or tags here in Mississippi. Just drop the tailgate and load it up and your off. However, I'm not sure everyone follows our "Honor" system of deer harvest.

Hunt the thickets

Tazman

I have hunted Va. for over 35 years and we have checking stations, I have been to some that were like you said, they had no idea if it was a buck or a doe or what weapon it was taken with, all they did was ask, others they would do what they are supposed to do, validate sex and weapon. There has been a few occesions where a game warden was present and he would verify everything. In Va. you tag your deer when you kill it, the checkstation gives you a certificate/tag proving that the deer was checked in. Here it is a way to catch poachers, because if you have a deer hanging and do not have the certificate/tag proving that the deer was checked in, you are in trouble. Another thing is you can not get a deer processed or aged unless you have the certificate/tag proving that the deer was checked in. I agree it is a hassle, but it is also a ways to meet other hunters and shoot the bull or maybe brag a bit to boot.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

davidmil

We have a very early season... Sept 14th. I've shot deer and not gotten out of the woods before they closed. According to our law you have 24 hours to take it to a check station. Yeh... RIGHT... what kind of condition would the meat be in by morning when it's 85 at 9:00 PM the night before. I know for a fact a lot of deer just get taken home and skinned and put in the fridge. I'm pals with the check station guy so if there's no one around he'll make me out the tag and take my word for what I shot the next day. Beats the heck out of dragging a deer out there the next day. Supposedly you can call a hot line... how much hassle you suppose that is?<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

I agree, an outdated system for sure. Give you the tags attached like NY does. You have to separate and cut out the dates when you kill it. If you're caught without a tag on a deer and properly signed and punched you're in trouble. Once the tag is cut you can't hunt on it. If you're in the woods you better have an unpunched tag. Far better system to me.

jimmya

i agree it is a hassel and the pochers are gonna poch regardless. i also live in the country and have to drive a long way to check one in but it is there way of getting info. So i drive the distance required and follow the rules. we cannot and will not be responsible for others and there unethical actions.

whistlepig

Here in Ohio we have check stations. I think it benefits QDM more than it prevents poaching. If someone has questionable morals, they aren't going to bother making sure they get caught by checking in illegally harvested animals (although that's how a good number of violations are discovered). But the numbers that DNR uses to determine next year's limits are partially dependent upon this year's harvest. So I favor the check stations, at least for those reasons. It is a bit of an inconvenience when you have Sunday hunting and only 1 check station in the whole county is open on Sunday, and it's 20 miles away. That's my only complaint.

PSE HUNTER

Here in NY we just tag them when we get one then we send in a card that tells what sex, what zone and date taken. Alot easier this way.

lzalbany

I agree, it can be a pain. But it's an excellent way to get an approximate number of deer taken for the state's wildlife depts. management programs and to restrict or allow more liberal regulations.

JRW

Also, with things like CWD, the check stations give the DNR a way to sample and test animals.

JRW

jetblast

No check-in stations in SC either, except for a couple WMA's.