Utah Game Warden warning

[Bonbonjovi]

I hunted Baxter Pass, on the Utah/Color. border. There is no clear state line there. GW in the area advised us "If you don't know don't come here." Pretty blunt, we felt. There was no suggestions of how to stay clean. I guess as far as responsibility goes he's right.

thats very close to where we were, I actually drove right thru there...what really bites is that one of our hunting partners is a Utah resident, so he was in a catch 22..the Utah side is draw only, except this year they did sell OTC spike tags...but shooting a spike in Colorado (at least that unit is a no no)

one of my good friends and dog training mentors is a retired Utah DNR biologist and he takes things to the letter of the law, but he was shocked when we told him about the regs

[sticknstring]

I hear those western guys can get rough! Sounds like you all had a blast!! I spent all day retreiving a 5x4 archery bull last year(12 miles round trip to the truck)-hard work but exciting stuff!

p.m. sent

[Bonbonjovi]

Follow up on Utah game warden

went to the Utah website and looked up the regs myself and found this...so in this case the GW was WRONG...contacted the state and regional offices but have not heard back from them...the Colorado offices called me back today and confirmed that I could NOT go after the elk if it was wounded and crossed into Utah state lines

Carcass regulations

The DWR has taken measures to prohibit the import of deer and elk carcasses from known infection areas. Only the following parts of wild deer and elk may be imported from designated infection areas from other states.

Meat that is cut and wrapped either commercially or privately
Quarters or other portion of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
Meat that is boned out
Hides with no heads attached
Skulls plates with antlers attached that have been cleaned of all meat and tissue
Antlers with no meat or tissue attached
Upper canine teeth known as buglers, whistlers or ivories
Finished taxidermy heads

It is unlawful to import dead elk, mule deer, or white-tailed deer or their parts, except for the carcass parts listed above, from the following states, provinces, game management units, equivalent wildlife management units, or counties. Additional areas may be added as necessary.

[johng]

My experience in Colorado,Kansas and Oklahoma with GW is that they seem to want to enforcer the law to the fullest degree with out of staters. I've seen locals get warned when tickets were warranted. I'm not saying GW is all bad and I know right is right and wrong is wrong and as hunters we should know the law but some time keeping up with knit picking rules is just a pain.

[helibow]

I personally think they did you a favor by stopping in and telling you what the deal was... much better than them showing up and pulling out the ticket book. If I had been in your camp, knowing that I might cross a State line, I would have made calls ahead of time and asked the respective DOW's what I needed to be aware of. Not being disrespectful - just saying what I would have done. Again, they might have had a little attitude because of that exact issue of not knowing the specifics on both sides of the line.

[Bonbonjovi]

I personally think they did you a favor by stopping in and telling you what the deal was... much better than them showing up and pulling out the ticket book. If I had been in your camp, knowing that I might cross a State line, I would have made calls ahead of time and asked the respective DOW's what I needed to be aware of. Not being disrespectful - just saying what I would have done. Again, they might have had a little attitude because of that exact issue of not knowing the specifics on both sides of the line.

point taken...but I also got two calls today from the Colorado DOW, one regional, and one state supervisor...they both know the area well and Colorado is not happy with the regs that do not allow a hunter to transport a trophy head across Utah state lines, and the area we hunt you cross the state lines at least six times in a 30 mile winding stretch...guess next year I may have to buy licenses from both states

[Bowhuntamistad]

Hey Bon!!!

Want to go with me scouting this weekend? I drew a muzzleloader tag up on Charleston and only have a day or two to get it done whent he season starts up on the 10th

[helibow]

point taken...but I also got two calls today from the Colorado DOW, one regional, and one state supervisor...they both know the area well and Colorado is not happy with the regs that do not allow a hunter to transport a trophy head across Utah state lines, and the area we hunt you cross the state lines at least six times in a 30 mile winding stretch...guess next year I may have to buy licenses from both states

Yea, unfortunately it sounds like a p***ing contest between the two DOW's which only puts the hunter in the middle and danged if you do, danged if you dont. With all the hassle it almost sounds like consideration of a slightly different location a tad farther from the line might be the only way to keep the DOW guys from using you as an example. It's pretty stupid that neighboring States can't seem to agree on how to handle that type of issue. Irks me really... our tax dollars at work.. against us!

[Loreva13]

Dang that's serious business! Sounds like all in all y'all had a good time though

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