USING YOUR DEER TAGS IN 2017 F & Q BY THE DNR

USING YOUR DEER TAGS IN 2017: FAQ What has changed with deer tag requirements? Deer tag rules no longer require the hunter to: - validate the tag in any way to indicate that it has been used - attach a tag to the deer - keep a copy of the tag with the meat until consumed If not required, why would I want to print my tags anyway? Deer tags still contain important information. Most important is the tag number which is needed to fulfill the important requirement of registering your deer. The tag also tells you what type of deer (buck or antlerless) that you have authorization to harvest, and where your authorization (zone, DMU, land type) is valid. It also contains information on registering the deer (call-in number or web address). Printing your tags and using them like harvest coupons not only provides all of this information, but is also a good way of keeping track of what and where you can harvest a deer. Once used, throw the tag away as a way of letting yourself know you’ve used that privilege. Do hunters still have to carry proof of a tag while hunting? Yes. Requirements to carry proof of deer license and tags while afield have not changed. Acceptable forms of proof include: - an original or reprinted paper tag - a Go Wild conservation card - a Go Wild-authenticated Wisconsin driver’s license - a Go Wild digital PDF file displayed on a mobile device. Hunters will need to know the tag number to begin the registration process, which will not be visible if you opt to carry your authenticated Wisconsin driver’s license or a Conservation Card. You can obtain the tag number from the paper tag, the Go Wild PDF file or from the MyGameReg section of your Go Wild account at GoWild.WI.Gov. If paper tags are no longer required, how will a biologist or warden verify that I have a valid tag for my deer? DNR personnel can look up your deer tags in your Go Wild account using your customer ID number. I already printed my deer tags. Can I continue to use them? Yes. You may continue to carry your paper tags while hunting, but validating and attaching the tag are not required. However, printing a paper tag continues to provide easy access to your unique tag number which is required for registration, and also contains important information about accessing the GameReg system to register your animal. The unique tag number will stay the same for originals or reprints, and you will still be in compliance with the new rules if you continue to validate and attach paper deer tags. If I choose to print my tags, am I still required to carry only one copy of a unique paper tag while afield? No. Because you are no longer required to validate tags, you may carry more than one copy of a unique deer tag while hunting. Can I leave my untagged deer with a friend or allow someone else to transport it? Yes. However, the deer must be registered before someone else can transport it. You are strongly encouraged to leave a printed copy of the tag and registration confirmation number with the carcass if someone else will take possession of it. Since tagging is no longer required, what should I do if I have to leave my deer in the field while I get my truck? No special action is required. As long as the deer is harvested under one of your unused deer tags, you can leave the carcass in the field without attaching a tag or registering the deer. How do the new deer tag rules apply to group hunting? No changes have been made to group hunting rules. At least one member of the hunting party must have proof of an unfilled deer tag in the area where the hunt is taking place, and be willing to use that tag number to register a deer bagged by another member of the group. Is registration still required? Yes. Registration is not an option! You must register your deer by 5 p.m. the day after harvest. Register online at gamereg.wi.gov, by phone at 1-844-426-3734 or at a participating in-person station (find a list at dnr.wi.gov, search 2 “registration stations”). You will need the unique tag number to begin the registration process. Tag numbers are available on the paper tag, Go Wild PDF or in the MyGameReg section of your Go Wild account at GoWild.WI.Gov. How can I find my tag number in order to register my deer? Your tag number is easily visible on your deer tag. You can also find a list of your current tags and tag numbers in the My GameReg section of your Go Wild account at GoWild.WI.Gov. What should I do if I don’t have my tag number when registering it? Even though a hunter may provide one of the authorized forms of proof for their hunting license and tags, a hunter is still required to meet their registration requirements and have their unique tag number available to complete the registration process. - You may document your unique tag number in any method you choose as long as you are able to identify which unique tag number corresponds to each tag. For example, you may only use your buck tag number to register a buck. - If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device to look up your tag number, you are encouraged to carry a printed copy of your tag. You can look up your tag number in the My GameReg section of your Go Wild account. - As a reminder, you have until 5 p.m. the day after recovery to access your tag number and register your deer. Do taxidermists or meat processors require a copy of the tag? Taxidermists and meat processors may require a record of your tag number and/or registration confirmation number. You may email your confirmation number to yourself straight from the online registration system (gamereg.wi.gov). You may also look up your confirmation number by logging into your GoWild account (gowild.wi.gov) and going to the harvest history link under the My GameReg section. Do I have to provide a tag if I gift the meat to someone else? No. However, you are encouraged to write down the registration confirmation number if gifting the meat, and are required to provide the registration confirmation number if donating the meat through the deer donation program. Are car-killed deer now exempt from keeping the registration confirmation number with the meat until consumed? No. Because tags that authorize possession of the carcass/meat are not issued for car-killed deer, individuals who take possession of a car-killed deer will be required to keep the registration confirmation number with the meat until it is consumed. Location for which the hunter has been issued harvest authorization Tag number required for registration Type of tag and whether it is valid for a buck or an antlerless deer Registration instructions Year valid 3 Can I use alternate forms of proof (Conservation Card, driver’s license, electronic file) for agricultural damage tags, Learn to Hunt tags and DMAP tags? No. A hard copy is required. These are special tags associated with specific programs and are not necessarily issued through the hunter’s Go Wild account. You may also be required to write in your customer number and birth date to use these types of tags prior to use. You are not required to validate or attach these special tags, but registration of harvests through GameReg is still required. Will the electronic version of the hunting regulations posted on the web site be updated with these changes? Yes. This has already been completed. Where can I find more information? Visit dnr.wi.gov and search “hunting regulations” or “deer.”