BREAKING NEWS: Bill Passage SB 256 “Transfer of Harvested Game”

Transfer of Possession of Harvested Game SB 256 Now in Effect

Thanks to the hard work of MOGA, Senator Jason Ellsworth and FWP officials, SB 256 was passed with large bipartisan majorities in both chambers and is officially effective as of October 1, 2019. This bill allows the transfer of possession of harvested game animals that are required to be checked by department representatives. Outfitted clients, as well as all other hunters, are no longer subject to the inconvenience and cost of having to track down a department official to comply with check-in standards for certain game animals, such as sheep, lions, black bears and wolves.

A few key points on how to handle the transfer of possession of harvested game: 

• After validating and attaching the license or tag, a transfer of a game animal or wolf to any person at any time is available after leaving the site of the kill, provided a statement of possession has been completed.
• A statement of possession form prescribed by the department must be filled out and signed by the licensed person, as well as the person(s) receiving the possession. 
• The new possessor is then responsible to present the harvested game to the department for biological inspection and salvage the edible meat. 

Overall, this new change will help avoid frustration among clients having to potentially miss work, reschedule or miss flights simply to be present while a department official conducts a biological test. Again, MOGA is grateful for your support and will continue to fight for the outfitting and guide industry.

Possession transfer forms are available here:

Print Transfer of Possession Form Here

(Photo by: Linehan Outfitting Company)