Deboning\Packing out in Louisiana

[Dmathews87]

I’ve hunted deer in Louisiana for 26 seasons.

I’ve never received a warning or citation for any hunting related activities. I’ve had less than two dozen interactions with LDWF across hundreds of hunts.

I also don’t know a single hunter who has received a warning or citation for deer hunting related activity.

The frequency I’ve encountered agents has lowered considerably the last several years.


I will only hunt there a handful of times a year in La going forward, but I’ve had extremely positive, and infrequent dealings with the fuzz there.

Maybe I just have a 3 decade long horseshoe

I encounter them all the time on pearl River here,and Sherburne. Know plenty of guys who have had tickets and deer taken,alot of it their fault no doubt

 

[woodsdog2]

I have the same questions for my state. I haven't seen an officer to ask. I could probably email somebody and get an answer maybe? But I haven't taken the time to do that. I have the same thoughts as u....once electronically checked in I should.be able to quarter as long as I keep the head and evidence of sex...I was thinking just skin all the way down to the base and lop the head off, roll the hide with the balls or vajaja up neatly behind the head and throw it in a trash bag. Here every single wma has it's own separate rules so it's confusing when it comes to packing out. The wma with check stations u have to bring the critters in for data collection they want the whole critter or field dressed ok but the wma with no check station I should be able to pack em out. Guess I should write an email

There should be a hunting regulations booklet that comes with your licenses. Typically at the license issuing agent but I would think the regulations booklet is also posted online every year too.

 

[Weldabeast]

There should be a hunting regulations booklet that comes with your licenses. Typically at the license issuing agent but I would think the regulations booklet is also posted online every year too.

And I can probably paraphrase what it says but it's confusing with no real cut and dry answer. Each individual wildlife management area has its own set of rules on top of the state rules

 

[Dmathews87]

And I can probably paraphrase what it says but it's confusing with no real cut and dry answer. Each individual wildlife management area has its own set of rules on top of the state rules

Same here

 

[Dmathews87]

and to be fair, 98% of my encounters with LDFW has been very positive (mostly because i follow the rules). Like anything, theres a very small amount of bad apples and ive def encountered them as well.

 

[woodsdog2]

This is what the NY regulations guide says for this year. I think its been similar for several years: Tagging, Reporting,and Transporting Deer and bear are in legal possession only when tagged with the appropriate carcass tag, valid for that season, implement, and sex of animal� See page 26 for clear tag descriptions� Hunters who take a deer in remote areas may wish to bone it out and pack out the meat� This is lawful, but you must retain the carcass tag with the boned out meat�
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntguidebiggame.pdf

 

[Dmathews87]

This is what the NY regulations guide says for this year. I think its been similar for several years: Tagging, Reporting,and Transporting Deer and bear are in legal possession only when tagged with the appropriate carcass tag, valid for that season, implement, and sex of animal� See page 26 for clear tag descriptions� Hunters who take a deer in remote areas may wish to bone it out and pack out the meat� This is lawful, but you must retain the carcass tag with the boned out meat�
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntguidebiggame.pdf

wish it was that cut and dry here.

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/assets/Resources/Publications/Regulations/2023-2024-LDWF-Hunting-Regs-LR.pdf

heres a link to ours. feel free to have a looksie. As Welda pointed out in Florida, each WMA also does its own rules and those can be found towards the back of the guide.

 

[Crawdaddy4]

yeah the mandatory check ins are the only clear ''you cant cut em up in field'' rule. The last agent i spoke with was the one that said tagged and validated, good to go, but then also said ''i cant save you from another agents interpretation'' shouldnt be anyones individual interpretation, just tell me in black and white what i can and cant do...

I too have gotten mixed feedback. I just plan to pack/drag the entire deer out because I don't want to take the chance.

I’ve hunted deer in Louisiana for 26 seasons.

I’ve never received a warning or citation for any hunting related activities. I’ve had less than two dozen interactions with LDWF across hundreds of hunts.

I also don’t know a single hunter who has received a warning or citation for deer hunting related activity.

The frequency I’ve encountered agents has lowered considerably the last several years.


I will only hunt there a handful of times a year in La going forward, but I’ve had extremely positive, and infrequent dealings with the fuzz there.

Maybe I just have a 3 decade long horseshoe

Are you hunting public or private land? I can tell you, it matters a lot where you hunt. There are areas known for "outlawing" that the green army targets and you are guaranteed an encounter. I've had encounters hunting WMAs, NWRs, and private clubs. I've never personally had a citation but seen many receive them for no license or no orange.

 

[Dmathews87]

I too have gotten mixed feedback. I just plan to pack/drag the entire deer out because I don't want to take the chance.

Are you hunting public or private land? I can tell you, it matters a lot where you hunt. There are areas known for "outlawing" that the green army targets and you are guaranteed an encounter. I've had encounters hunting WMAs, NWRs, and private clubs. I've never personally had a citation but seen many receive them for no license or no orange.

very true. I get checked every single time im on pearl river and sherburne i believe has a small branch there right on the WMA. Those 2 WMAs are also 2 of the more popular ones here in the south. bet your butt you gonna see em

 

[Crawdaddy4]

very true. I get checked every single time im on pearl river and sherburne i believe has a small branch there right on the WMA. Those 2 WMAs are also 2 of the more popular ones here in the south. bet your butt you gonna see em

Sherburne is notorious for agent activity.

 

[brydan]

I’ve never received a warning or citation for any hunting related activities. I’ve had less than two dozen interactions with LDWF across hundreds of hunts.

Sounds good. Next time over, process your deer in the field, show the warden your handiwork on the way out and let us know how it goes

 

[woodsdog2]

Sounds good. Next time over, process your deer in the field, show the warden your handiwork on the way out and let us know how it goes

You've had two dozen interactions with Game Wardens? I've had one, and I've been hunting forever. It was after I was duck hunting on a beaver pond near my childhood home. I drove into my driveaway and the warden followed me right up to my house. Checked to make sure I had a duck stamp, hunting license, non-lead ammo and a plug. Said "you're all set" and left. That was 1984 issh .

 

[LAKY]

This is from the Louisiana law that the regulations printed in the pamphlet are meant to reflect.

Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature

legis.la.gov

"Deer and turkey may be divided in camp or field but, in the event of such division, each portion shall be identified by the name, address, and license number of the person killing it and the sex of the animal"

 

[Dmathews87]

This is from the Louisiana law that the regulations printed in the pamphlet are meant to reflect.

Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature

legis.la.gov

"Deer and turkey may be divided in camp or field but, in the event of such division, each portion shall be identified by the name, address, and license number of the person killing it and the sex of the animal"

WMAs have separate rules from state is the real problem...

 

[LAKY]

WMAs have separate rules from state is the real problem...

"During Mandatory Deer Check hunts, deer may not be skinned
nor have any external body parts removed, including but not
limited to feet, legs, tail, head or ears before being checked out.
When Mandatory Deer Checks are specified on WMAs, hunters
must check deer at weigh stations as designated on WMA maps."

 

[Dmathews87]

Sherburne is notorious for agent activity.

bad thing about sherburne if you get a ticket is point coupee parish only does in person fine payment. so you gotta drive all the way back and pay processing fees for the court....ask a buddy of mine about his 1000$ doe he shot...

 

[Dmathews87]

"During Mandatory Deer Check hunts, deer may not be skinned
nor have any external body parts removed, including but not
limited to feet, legs, tail, head or ears before being checked out.
When Mandatory Deer Checks are specified on WMAs, hunters
must check deer at weigh stations as designated on WMA maps."

that is the only clear regulation in that regard. I just need to know if i need to have positive sex id when i pack out and when multiple agents tell you multiple answers, its confusing.

 

[LAKY]

that is the only clear regulation in that regard. I just need to know if i need to have positive sex id when i pack out and when multiple agents tell you multiple answers, its confusing.

Yes.

"B. Positive evidence of sex identification, including the head or sex organs,
shall remain on any deer taken or killed within the state of Louisiana, or on all turkey taken or killed during any special gobbler season when killing of turkey hens is prohibited, so long as such deer or turkey is kept in camp or field, or is in route to the domicile of its possessor, or until such deer or turkey has been stored at the domicile of its possessor or divided at a cold storage facility and has thus become identifiable as food rather than as wild game. Deer and turkey may be divided in camp or field but, in the event of such division, each portion shall be identified by the name, address, and license number of the person killing it and the sex of the animal; however, it is not necessary to affix the license number as required above to portions cut from the carcass immediately prior to their being consumed in camp."

 

[brydan]

You've had two dozen interactions with Game Wardens? I've had one, and I've been hunting forever. It was after I was duck hunting on a beaver pond near my childhood home. I drove into my driveaway and the warden followed me right up to my house. Checked to make sure I had a duck stamp, hunting license, non-lead ammo and a plug. Said "you're all set" and left. That was 1984 issh .

I don’t keep a journal about it but I’ve had quite a few interactions with wardens over the years but never a citation. In fact I’m at Sherburne currently and stopped to talk to one earlier that was parked under the I-10 bridge. He didn’t stop me this time obviously but they’re on the property patrolling. I saw another one last Thursday on an ATV trail.

 

[Dmathews87]

Yes.

"B. Positive evidence of sex identification, including the head or sex organs,
shall remain on any deer taken or killed within the state of Louisiana, or on all turkey taken or killed during any special gobbler season when killing of turkey hens is prohibited, so long as such deer or turkey is kept in camp or field, or is in route to the domicile of its possessor, or until such deer or turkey has been stored at the domicile of its possessor or divided at a cold storage facility and has thus become identifiable as food rather than as wild game. Deer and turkey may be divided in camp or field but, in the event of such division, each portion shall be identified by the name, address, and license number of the person killing it and the sex of the animal; however, it is not necessary to affix the license number as required above to portions cut from the carcass immediately prior to their being consumed in camp."

yes, but now we're getting told by some that with the new electronic tagging you dont have to have this because the deer has been validated in field....