[buckhunter]

I sent a e-mail to F&G and ask what if we shoot a buck we want to mount, but take the deer to the butcher, this e-mail came in a bit ago from Mr Paul Tarlowe, of F&G, I did a copy & paste.

You can take the head/cape to a butcher or taxidermist who will need the Confirmation Number for the deer. It is then the butcher's responsibility to retain the head for the 48-hr. period. PT

" 11 days " [up][up]

 

[Pintail2]

[up]

 

[Bucksnbows]

This is really no change over what we've done for decades except you give a confirmation # instead of a tag # to your butcher. It's does butchered by hunters on warm days that will need to be dealt with by somehow preserving the head for 48 hours either in a freezer, refrigerator or in the garbage that could be an issue for some. At least that's what some have been complaining about. Your taxidermist would also need any confirmation # just as he/she would have needed your tag info in the past.

 

[NJ Predator]

Seems like a pretty easy process now, well for myself and other hunters that bring their harvest to the butcher. For those who butcher themselves, what will you do with the head? I know I've read on here a lot of people think it's a waste to do so. What will you guys/gals do when you do butcher it though? Keep the head or toss it right away? A doe that is at least.

 

[buckhunter]

Bucksnbows, yes it is the same, except before you did not have to keep the head 48 hrs, I just wanted to make it clear that IF they came to your house to check you kill, you could just say it is at the butchers and tell them where he is.

 

[KillShot82]

Thanks for the info. Either way it wasn't going to matter if I kept the head in a cooler on ice or the butcher did.

 

[screaming eagle]

I butcher my own and see no problem keeping the head for 2 days... Actually a week in my case. Garbage is Monday for me, so I'm gonna have to keep each head for a week. No big deal. If u gave room in your freezer for deer meat, you have room for a head... I think I'm just gonna put mine next to the milk and eggs regardless... [up]

 

[Bucksnbows]

For me who butchers my own deer, I've always been able to let them hang at least several days to age the meat, so the 48 hours was never an issue. If I shot a deer during a hot weather spell and had to butcher it quickly, I'd just bag the head and freeze it for 48 hours and age the venison in a refrigerator instead.

 

[jerseyhunter]

For those who butcher themselves, what will you do with the head?

I will keep the head for 48 hrs after I get the conf. number then in the garbage for the next avaiable colection day. As per the regs. Basicaly same as Bucksnbows.[up]

 

[nursenikki29]

F&G came to my shop last week and told me personally that I have to give every doe head back to the customer for the EAB period. They said it was the hunters responsibility to be able to prove they killed the doe should a spot check be done in the following two days.

 

[KillShot82]

Even better info Tom, Thanks. [up]

 

[Bucksnbows]

Good info, nursenikki29

 

[nursenikki29]

I asked to speak w them bc I didn't want any gray area anywhere. I have a business to run and a family to feed but the law also needs to be obeyed. They seemed to appreciate me making sure everything was going to be done right.

 

[huntfree77]

F&G came to my shop last week and told me personally that I have to give every doe head back to the customer for the EAB period.

So is the customer going to wait in your shop until you start butchering the deer and hand it to them? Some butchers hold the deer for days until they get to it depending on how busy they are. By then the 48 hour period is long gone. [confused]

 

[KillShot82]

^ It takes 30 seconds to sawz all off a head.

 

[nursenikki29]

Actually 5 to cut off with a knife!lol

 

[KillShot82]

I have an old sawz all you can have Tom[rofl]

I got one better for you: Make your policy headless dear with tattoo'd confirmation numbers only.

 

[nursenikki29]

@ Huntfree. No When a customer brings me a deer, there is proper paperwork to fill out including writing the Con # and whether the deer is M or F. Once that is filled out I will cut the head off the deer and give it back to the hunter in a plastic bag for them to freeze for 2 days. The deer gets skinned and put into my walk in cooler immediately after it is skinned and washed. It is usually a couple days til the deer is received back fully processed, depending on how busy I am. Last year opening day was quite busy for us so I am expecting the same this year, weather permitting. My concern with F&G was because I go daily to the county landfill to dispose of the scraps especially in bow season when the weather is warm and keeping all heads separate and tagged would be extra work for me that I did not want to do unless necessary.

 

[huntfree77]

thanks for the info Tom.

 

[beaverman]

So its just the head and not the hide that needs to be retained?