Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 08.03.04.03 - Tagging and Reporting Deer and Wild Turkey

A. Tagging.

(1) A game field tag, including the hunter's name, DNR ID number, and the deer or turkey's date and county of harvest, serves to identify the hunter who has killed a deer or turkey.

(2) A big game harvest record of deer and turkey harvested by a hunter serves to record a hunter's kill. The big game harvest record shall:

(a) Include, for each deer or turkey killed, the species, sex, date and county of harvest, weapon class and confirmation number attained from the Department at the time of reporting in accordance with §B of this regulation; and

(b) Be in the hunter's possession while deer or turkey hunting.

(3) Game field tags and big game harvest records may be provided by the Department when purchasing a Maryland hunting license, may be obtained from any DNR sport license agent, or created by the hunter.

(4) A hunter's possession of an electronic record of the confirmation number acquired in accordance with §B of this regulation may substitute for the game field tag or big game harvest record. An electronic record may be presented:

(a) By accessing the hunter's DNR license system account by a cellphone, tablet, or other electronic device; or

(b) As a digital copy of a completed big game harvest record.

(5) A game field tag shall be attached to the deer or turkey before removing it from the place of kill.

(6) If a confirmation number has been generated, attaching a game field tag is not required while the deer or turkey remains in the hunter's possession.

(7) When leaving a deer or turkey unattended or in the possession of another person, the deer or turkey shall be tagged with:

(a) A game field tag as described in §A(1) of this regulation, if the deer or turkey has not been reported to the Department; or

(b) A tag that includes the hunter's name and the confirmation number provided by the Department if the deer or turkey has already been reported to the Department.

(8) The tag required under §A(7) of this regulation shall remain attached to the deer or turkey until the carcass is either:

(a) Processed for consumption;

(b) Disposed of by a processing facility; or

(c) Left with a taxidermist.

B. Harvest Reporting.

(1) An individual killing a deer or turkey shall report the kill to the Department by calling a designated toll-free number, by registering the kill on the Department's internet-based checking system accessible through the Department's website, or as otherwise designated on the Department's website.

(2) The harvest of a deer or turkey shall be reported not later than 24 hours after the deer or turkey was taken into possession by the hunter. Deer must be reported before the head or hide is removed. Turkeys must be reported before being processed for consumption.

(3) After reporting the kill, the hunter will receive a confirmation number from the Department that shall be recorded in ink on the big game harvest record or shall be in the hunter's possession as an electronic record in accordance with §A(4) of this regulation.

C. The requirements of this regulation apply to all hunters including those hunters who are exempt from the hunting license requirements of Natural Resources Article, § 10-301, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. Reporting Deer or Turkey Killed by Means Other than Hunting.

(1) A person may take possession of a deer or turkey that has been killed by means other than hunting by obtaining a confirmation number from the Department.

(2) An individual taking possession of a deer or turkey killed by means other than hunting shall report the deer or turkey to the Department by registering the kill on the Department's internet-based checking system accessible through the Department's website, or as otherwise designated on the Department's website.

(3) Prior to taking possession and transporting the deer or turkey, a field tag, including the person's name, address, county ocation of the deer or turkey, and method of kill, shall be attached until a confirmation number has been obtained.

(4) If a confirmation number has been obtained, a field tag is not required if the deer or turkey remains in the person's possession.

(5) The deer or turkey shall be reported not later than 24 hours after the deer or turkey is taken into possession. Deer shall be reported before the head or hide is removed. Turkeys shall be reported before being processed for consumption.

(6) After registering the deer or turkey, the person shall receive a confirmation number.

(7) The individual shall maintain a record of the confirmation number. The confirmation number shall be made available to the Department on request.

E. A deer or turkey not tagged as required by this regulation and found in the possession of any person may be confiscated by any authorized representative of the Department and shall be disposed of as the Director may deem advisable for the best interest of the State.

F. A person may not knowingly make any false statements or record false information when tagging or reporting the harvest of any deer or turkey.

Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.03

Regulation .03 amended effective August 15, 2005 (32:16 Md. R. 1391)
Regulation .03B amended effective August 15, 1994 (21:16 Md. R. 1381); August 14, 2006 (33:16 Md. R. 1365)
Regulation .03C amended as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1998 (25:21 Md. R. 1571); amended permanently effective December 28, 1998 (25:26 Md. R. 1920); amended effective 43:16 Md. R. 899, eff. 8/15/2016; amended effective 44:18 Md. R. 864, eff. 9/11/2017; amended effective 45:20 Md. R. 917, eff. 10/8/2018; amended effective 47:20 Md. R. 874, eff. 10/5/2020