When hunting big game, what is the first thing a hunter must do once the animal has expired?

• A. Tag the animal
• B. Photograph the carcass
• C. Weigh the meat
• D. Leave it

Answer: (A)

Immediately tagging the animal is the essential first step. Tagging provides legal proof of a harvest, helps confirm you’re within bag limits, and marks the carcass as a legally taken animal for reporting to the wildlife agencies. It protects you from penalties and sets the proper chain of custody for the meat.

Photographing the animal, weighing the meat, or leaving it are actions that can come after tagging, if needed, but none are required by law at the moment of kill. Leaving it is illegal waste, so tagging first ensures you’re compliant before any other handling.