Arizona Laws 17-319. Big game animals; carcasses; possession and transportation; salvage permit; requirements; violation; classification
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the carcass of a big game animal may be possessed and transported if a peace officer or an authorized employee of the department issues a big game salvage permit. A big game salvage permit is not transferable and may be issued only as follows:
Attorney's Note
Under the Arizona Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $2,500 |
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 17-319
- Big game: means wild turkey, deer, elk, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, bison (buffalo), peccary (javelina), bear and mountain lion. See Arizona Laws 17-101
- Department: means the Arizona game and fish department. See Arizona Laws 17-101
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
- Peace officers: means sheriffs of counties, constables, marshals, policemen of cities and towns, commissioned personnel of the department of public safety, personnel who are employed by the state department of corrections and the department of juvenile corrections and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, peace officers who are appointed by a multicounty water conservation district and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, police officers who are appointed by community college district governing boards and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, police officers who are appointed by the Arizona board of regents and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, police officers who are appointed by the governing body of a public airport pursuant to section 28-8426 and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, peace officers who are appointed by a private postsecondary institution pursuant to section 15-1897 and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board and special agents from the office of the attorney general, or of a county attorney, and who have received a certificate from the Arizona peace officer standards and training board. See Arizona Laws 1-215
- Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
1. If the big game animal has been killed as a result of an accidental collision with a motor vehicle, to the driver of the motor vehicle or to an individual wishing to possess the carcass.
2. If the big game animal is euthanized by a peace officer or authorized employee of the department as a result of injuries sustained by an accidental collision with a motor vehicle, to the driver of the motor vehicle or to an individual wishing to possess the carcass.
3. If the big game animal died as a result of natural causes, to the individual who reports the big game animal carcass.
4. If the big game animal subsequently dies or is euthanized by a peace officer or authorized employee of the department as the result of an injury sustained from natural causes, to the individual who reports the injured big game animal.
B. The department shall provide big game salvage permit forms to peace officers on request. The salvage permit form shall require the following information:
1. The name and address of the individual receiving the salvage permit.
2. A description of the big game animal that was killed or euthanized.
3. The date on which the salvage permit is issued.
4. The specific location of the big game animal.
5. A description of the motor vehicle, if applicable.
6. The destination where the carcass will be transported.
7. The name of the peace officer or the authorized employee of the department who issued the salvage permit.
C. The peace officer or the authorized employee of the department shall:
1. Complete all of the information required on the salvage permit.
2. Give the original of the salvage permit to the driver of the motor vehicle or the individual wishing to possess the carcass.
3. Provide a copy of the salvage permit to the department within forty-eight hours after issuing the permit.
D. A peace officer or an authorized employee of the department may inspect the carcass before issuing the big game salvage permit.
E. A person who possesses the carcass of a big game animal pursuant to this section may make a gift of the carcass or parts to another individual.
F. A big game salvage permit issued under this section does not represent or imply that any part of the carcass is edible. The peace officer or the authorized employee of the department issuing the salvage permit, the agency employing the peace officer and the department are not liable with respect to any use made of the carcass.
G. A big game salvage permit may not be issued for a big game animal that the peace officer or authorized employee of the department suspects is diseased or spoiled.
H. A person who possesses the carcass of a big game animal under authority of a big game salvage permit that was obtained by fraud is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.