Question!
I have a 30 plus old mount that doesn't have a tag on. I am having it redone because it is in very poor shape. So am I subject to have it taken away???
In theory, no. I don't think this rule which went in place around 2003 (??) was to put older mounts in jeopardy. At this point though, I put nothing past a LEO with a mission and a dumbass rule.
You hear about a set of antlers getting confiscated just about every year though at big buck contests, etc. People shoot deer, get worried the sticky tag will damage the aesthetics of the rack and remove tag prematurely. Badda bing, bada boom. It walks out the door with a new owner and a stern warning to the original owner.
I remember when the rule went into affect I was assured that they weren't going to use it as a tool to take away older mounts, but as far as I know there's never been anything codified that would prevent a warden from walking into any of our homes and confiscating mounts that are 20 years old. Seriously, how the hell would you prove it pre-dated the rule coming into effect? A dated picture from the 80s?
Without a pic of said deer with a date stamp, they can claim it's more modern and just take it.
And yes, I am damn sure if you email NDGF they'll tell you they have no interest in confiscating your deer, but if a warden were to visit your taxidermist and see the rack just laying around without a tag he or she is going to have some questions!
I don't like being subjected to someone else's subjective call.
zogman, if I were in your shoes this is something I would bring up with your taxidermist. He should know if there is a need for any documentation on something like an older mount that is being redone. And of course, NDGF would also be willing to clarify their current position as I haven't talked with anyone over there about this since the rule first came about and that's now been quite a few years. I take and put the original tag for the deer on the back of the mount using clear packing tape.