(a) Each person killing a bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey found in a wild state shall either attach a completed field tag to the animal or remain with the animal and have upon his or her person a completed field tag before removing the carcass in any manner from where it was killed.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 20-2-22

  • Game: means game animals, game birds and game fish as herein defined. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing, engraving, writing, or otherwise. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Person: except as otherwise defined elsewhere in this chapter, means the plural "persons" and shall include individuals, partnerships, corporations or other legal entities. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(b) While transporting the carcass of a bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey from where it was killed, each person shall either attach a completed field tag to the animal or have upon his or her person a completed field tag.

(c) Upon arriving at a residence, camp, hunting lodge, vehicle or vessel each person shall attach a field tag to the killed bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey. The field tag shall remain on the carcass until the animal is electronically registered.  A game tag number shall be issued to the person and recorded in writing with the person’s name and address, or on a field tag, and shall remain on the carcass until it is dressed for consumption. The game tag number shall remain on the skin or hide until it is tanned or mounted.

(d) If a person who does not possess a field tag kills a bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey, he or she shall make a tag. The field tag shall bear the name, address and, if applicable, the license number of the hunter and the time, date and county of killing.

(e) A person who kills a bear shall treat the carcass and remains in accordance with the provisions of section twenty-two-a of this article.

(f) For each violation of this section a person is subject to the penalties provided in this article.