Crossing state boundaries

[SAJ-99]

Does anyone camp/park in one state and then walk over a state line to hunt with a tag for another state? A lot of NF seem to lie on state boundaries so I would think it is common. And I would guess the rules might vary by state? Thought I would ask here before I start researching individual state rules and because it's the off season and people seem to be bored.

This conversation might have came up on HT but I can't find it with the search function.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I called about this a couple years back.

I was told it wasn't an issue, and it was obvious that I wasn't the first person to call in and ask the question.

 

[westbranch]

I did this a couple years ago. I did call local COs to discuss and no issues, just know where you're at and save some waypoints.

You still need to follow the CWD regs which would be a pain. I ended up not shooting anything at that spot so didn't have to test my CWD plan.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Dont see why its a problem.

 

[perma]

I did last year.

 

[TOGIE]

the more common thing that pops up in some plans i've put together for some areas is just using roads in one state to access my hunting in another. similar issues, but obviously not illegal or a problem.

i'd just never feel comfortable having a bull from state X, with a tag for state X, in my cooler with a recently shot rifle while camping in state Y.

the LEOs get it though, and as long you're not sketchy and have the proof of where it died it's no biggie and isn't illegal to begin with. but i just mentally feel better avoiding the potential hassle. some LEO's might ask you to hike them to the kill site

 

[seeth07]

You still need to follow the CWD regs which would be a pain.

No matter what you do, there are times when you can't satisfy the requirements of both states to be CWD compliant. You will be breaking the law in one of the states if you are an interstate hunter. Doing it on foot slightly complicates this as westbranch points out.

 

[SAJ-99]

Dont see why its a problem.

It doesn't seem like it is but I like to cover all my bases. Obviously others do to, which is why I asked. My question is more on weapons restrictions, i.e. do I have to unload or disable the weapon while walking to huntable state, but the CWD point is also a good one.

 

[TOGIE]

It doesn't seem like it is but I like to cover all my bases. Obviously others do to, which is why I asked. My question is more on weapons restrictions, i.e. do I have to unload or disable the weapon while walking to huntable state, but the CWD point is also a good one.

i highly doubt it. in this scenario and that state I believe you will be camping in is a state that does have restrictions on unloaded rifles in a vehicle though. walking unloaded - i would just say that's an "above reproach" approach that you can certainly take, but i don't think matters.

the state i'm assuming you're hunting in i'm pretty sure allows the traveling brain and spinal column matter back to your camp or wherever your are staying for your hunt from the kill site, so, from their perspective i think you're legal. but like @seeth07 pointed out, then you have the other state to deal with.

 

[perma]

It doesn't seem like it is but I like to cover all my bases. Obviously others do to, which is why I asked. My question is more on weapons restrictions, i.e. do I have to unload or disable the weapon while walking to huntable state, but the CWD point is also a good one.

Depends on the state. In CO and WY, I believe you can have ammo in the mag but not in the chamber. It was a non issue for me since my gun stays in the case unloaded anyway.

CWD is a good one. You may need a transport tag from a warden in some states.

 

[BigHornRam]

I've done it in the Bitterroot on the Montana/ Idaho divide. Had tags for both states, and it's the same NF so not sure if this answers your question?

 

[sccritterkiller]

It doesn't seem like it is but I like to cover all my bases. Obviously others do to, which is why I asked. My question is more on weapons restrictions, i.e. do I have to unload or disable the weapon while walking to huntable state, but the CWD point is also a good one.

There is no law against walking thru a NF with a loaded gun, as long as you are not prohibited from ownig a gun.

 

[utah400elk]

I did this in AZ and NM. I called the game warden and let him know my vehicle description and the parking location. There was no issue. A conversation before the season starts can help a lot.

 

[SAJ-99]

There is no law against walking thru a NF with a loaded gun, as long as you are not prohibited from ownig a gun.

That was where I started, just didn't want to assume anything and see if others had thoughts. A tagged animal (whole or pieces) is the next logical question and then the CWD. Like I said, it's the offseason.

 

[sccritterkiller]

That was where I started, just didn't want to assume anything and see if others had thoughts. A tagged animal (whole or pieces) is the next logical question and then the CWD. Like I said, it's the offseason.

I spend a lot time in NF not during hunting season and I carry...never had an issue...Chances are CWD would be present in both states if the same NF, I would get clarification for that. Worse case you may have to debone the meat and clean the skull at the killsite before u pack out.

 

[seeth07]

Worse case you may have to debone the meat and clean the skull at the killsite before u pack out.

It can be more complicated than that depending on what the two states are.

 

[3855WIN]

Wyoming says-

c) Only the following parts of any deer, elk or moose taken in Wyoming may be transported to other states, provinces or countries: edible portions with no part of the spinal col-umn or head; cleaned hide without the head; skull or skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts. Whole deer, elk and moose carcasses shall not be transported out of Wyoming.

(a) Deer, elk or moose taken from within any other state, province or country may only be imported into Wyoming if carcasses are transported directly to a private residence for processing, to a taxidermist, to a pro-cessor or to a CWD sample collection site provided the head and all portions of the spi-

nal column are disposed of in an approved

landfill or incinerator.

 

[SAJ-99]

It can be more complicated than that depending on what the two states are.

I wish it was just 2 states. In this case I would have to navigate 5, including WA which has yet no CWD cases. The good news is that the rules seem to be pretty standard - debone the meat, clean the skull, etc.

 

[seeth07]

The good news is that the rules seem to be pretty standard - debone the meat, clean the skull, etc.

That is what I thought. And then a CO wildlife officer wrote me a ticket that wasn't worth a plane or car ride back out to Boulder to contest and therefore my elk trip just got a little more expensive.

 

[SAJ-99]

That is what I thought. And then a CO wildlife officer wrote me a ticket that wasn't worth a plane or car ride back out to Boulder to contest and therefore my elk trip just got a little more expensive.

That stinks. Curious on your details. I could avoid this situation if I needed to I could camp in state A and then if I got one, drive different road to state B and pack it up. It would probably be a longer walk. Once it is packed up I just go full on "Smokey and the Bandit".