Question: Im getting back into deer hunting after 30 years, and realize from reading that validation is required prior to transferring a deer to my residence. What I am confused about is can I still bone it out in the field rather than drag it back whole to camp or the vehicle? If so, what are the requirements of what I must present for verification sign-off of the tag?

Answer: Welcome back! Hunters are required to pack out of the field all edible meat and the portion of the head which normally bears the antlers (skull cap) with the tag attached. The remainder of the skull and all inedible portions of the carcass may be discarded at the kill site. If you harvest a deer, the tag must be immediately filled out and attached to the antlers (Fish and Game Code, Section 4336). The tag needs to be validated at the first available opportunity by a person authorized to validate the tag.

Although the tags are quite a bit different looking than when you quit deer hunting, the specific regulations you are asking about are nearly the same as they were years ago. Hunters are required to maintain the portion of the head which normally bears the antlers with the tag attached during the open season, and for 15 days thereafter, and it must be produced upon demand to any officer authorized to enforce the regulations (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 708(3)(4) and (5) and FGC sections 4302, 4304 and 4306).