How much meat can be expected from an antelope?
Bucks average 75-80 pounds field dressed and does 65-70 pounds. The amount of packaged meat depends on how the animal is processed. Some hunters leave a substantial amount of bone, while others bone everything.
If boning the carcass, a hunter can expect about 30 pounds for does and 35-40 pounds for bucks. These weights can be affected substantially if the carcass has dried out due to excessive aging or if there is gunshot loss.
How much mean can be expected from a deer?
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department receives this question every hunting season, usually from hunters who have had their animal processed commercially and don’t think they’ve gotten all their meat back.
The average mule deer buck has a live weight of 150-250 pounds. Dressed weights will normally range from 120-190 pounds. When the carcass is further reduced (skinned, head removed and boned) the weight is reduced again.
If the animal was shot in a major meaty area such as the hindquarters, or if a lot of trimming is involved due to dirt or a dried crust on the meat, there is more loss.
It is not unusual for a forkhorn or doe to yield no more than 50 pounds of boned meat.
Hunters can increase the yield by making better shots, keeping the carcass clean, and not skinning the animal until it is ready to be processed.
What is done with a tag when packing a large game animal out a piece at a time?
Large animals like elk are frequently packed out in quarters or pieces. If this procedure becomes necessary, the carcass coupon or tag should remain with the person packing out the animal.
Remember that whenever a kill is made under any circumstances, the normal tagging procedure as outlined on the license must be followed. Simply detach the tag from the license, cut out the entire wedge or square for the day and month and sign the coupon.
Those who need to leave their animal to get help to pack it out the tag must be left attached to the carcass.
Can friends legally transport an elk if the hunter is not present?
People can transport game for another person if the game is properly tagged with the carcass coupon detached from the license of the person who harvested the animal.
If the game is to be transported out of state by someone other than the license holder, an interstate game tag must be obtained.
Interstate game tags cost $8 and are available from game wardens, Wyoming Game and Fish Department regional offices and some taxidermists and meat processors.
Where can people learn about elk season extensions?
Season extensions are very rare. If an extension occurs, the department will inform newspapers and radio and TV stations. Extensions usually occur when low harvest during the regular season is likely to result in later damage to winter range or private property.
Extensions also are almost always for antlerless elk only. But just because the harvest in an area is less than desired does not mean the season will be extended.
Is it legal to use quick quarter or gutless field dressing techniques on a big game animal?
Yes it is legal in Wyoming to “gutless” field dress a big game animal. There are a few restrictions that need to be followed. When “gutless” field dressing a big game animal, hunters are required to bring out of the field all four quarters, whether shot or not, back straps and inside tender loins. When “gutless” field dressing a big game animal, cut slits along the back and reach in to remove the inside tender loins. It is not considered waste if you leave organs in the field.
If deboning after “gutless” field dressing, make sure to have all of the meat from the animal in case a warden decides to weigh the meat brought out of the field.
Are records kept of the largest big game animals harvested?
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department does not have a comprehensive list of record book big game animals, however they do keep a file containing score sheets of many Wyoming trophies.
Hunters who bag trophy animals are invited to send a copy of their score sheets to the department’s office in Cheyenne. The most comprehensive lists are kept by the Boone and Crockett Club for firearm trophies and Pope and Young Club for animals harvested by archers.
Where does the money collected from poachers go?
By Wyoming law, all money from fines goes to the school district in the county where the violation took place. If the judge orders restitution be paid for illegally taking an animal, that money goes to the department for law enforcement activities.
Does bear spray deter bears?
Pepper spray, often referred to as bear spray, has a good track record against bear attacks. Most bear experts think the chances of avoiding injury are better with pepper spray as a means of defense rather than a gun.
The larger canisters, filled with 8 ounces or more, carried in a readily accessible holster, are recommended. Keep in mind the spray is to be used in the event of an attack only. It is not to be used like insect repellent or to spray around a campsite to repel bears. Elk hunters in Grand Teton National Park are reminded they are required to carry and have readily available bear pepper spray.
Can licenses be transferred to other hunters?
Wyoming regulation specifically prohibits the transfer of licenses from one individual to another. If a person cannot go hunting, then their license cannot legally be used. Wyoming regulation prohibits the taking of wildlife using another hunter’s license.
It is much the same as with most licenses. For example, if a person obtains a driver’s license and were unable to drive, they could not transfer it to another person. People can donate their hunting license back to WGFD and it will be given to a disabled veteran.
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