Why is it illegal?
- Thread starter mtmuley
- Start date
AvidIndoorsman
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- Dec 9, 2015
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I think the logic is they don't want people shooting sheep, leaving them to rot, and then come back later and claim they found a dead head. By making dead heads illegal they deincentivise poaching. It also makes enforcement easier because any sheep in someones home that doesn't have a seal is illegal. I thinking they stopped plugging non-hunting sheep heads in 82'.
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BlakeA
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^^^This
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Deleted member 20812
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Yep, pretty much sums it up. Trying to stem the illegal sheep head market.
Ben Long
Well-known member
I think, probably because of the Grand Slam/Jack O'Connor mystique, plus general short supply, means blackmarket bighorn heads are much more valuable than most rank-and-file horns and antlers. Plus the animal has to die to give them up. I remember bighorn deadheads getting plugged back in the early 80s, at least in Idaho. First time I ever heard of the process.
Bambistew
Well-known member
Because of the density of poachers in Montana... 
You can keep them in most other states, and some of them don't even require plugs, although recommended.
I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to pick them up and get them plugged. Provide GPS coords, keep the dna from the plug cuttings, or something to track them. Not a big deal one way or the other, but its strange why its only sheep you can't keep.
You can keep them in most other states, and some of them don't even require plugs, although recommended.I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to pick them up and get them plugged. Provide GPS coords, keep the dna from the plug cuttings, or something to track them. Not a big deal one way or the other, but its strange why its only sheep you can't keep.
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Deleted member 20812
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Yep...operator error
elkhnter
Well-known member
They do shoot poachers in Africa
Oh yeah they don't mess around over there.
3855WIN
Well-known member
Because the coonass hunter in Kansas told me that if he ended up killing two bucks on his archery hunt, he'd leave one head in the woods and come back for it during turkey season.
And this is why game wardens in other states keep a close eye on Louisiana license plates.
