Transporting Bagged Tree Squirrel Questions

[Stonepointer]

I have had these almost, but not entirely dumb questions, eating at me for awhile now.

Most anyone who hunts tree squirrels in California knows about half of the state is closed to tree squirrel hunting all year round.

I live in the Northern part of Los Angeles County and hunting tree squirrels is prohibited here throughout the entire county and most of Southern California unless it falls under damaging or health threatening licensed rodent control.

I also live fairly close to the Kern County line and East of the Interstate 5, which would allow me to go after tree squirrels as long as I am in Kern, East of the I-5 and in a place that allows hunting.

1. Can I bring my bag limit back over county lines into L.A. County?

2. Does this come under the same laws for transport as Deer in this state?

3. How could I be best able to prove that the tree squirrels were legally taken in Kern or other legal hunt areas?

4. Also, I was wondering how many tree squirrels could be in possession as taxidermy models taken over time from year to year, or would it just be under the legal bag limit of just 4 tree squirrels in possession?

Or is the possession amount different because it for the most part only the pelts? Afterall, I know that some people have multiple animals used for clothing and other useful items.

Thank you for any replies to any of these questions in advance.

[Common Sense]

Don't know the answer, but it seems to me that they would have to prove you took them in LA county, not you having to prove you took them in Kern county. I don't see any problems with you pursuing squirrels in Kern county; but GOVERNMENT IS EVIL!

[jackrabbit]

The hunting, or "take" of squirrels is prohibited in those areas. The possesion of squirrels is not prohibited. As long as you are not hunting squirrels in the prohibited areas I can't find any reg's that prohibit possession. To be in violation, you would have to cited for HUNTING them in the prohibited area -- and the regulatory agency would have the burden of proof. For example, with the proper license and tags, I could take a doe, a bear, and a squirrel, and give the carcasses to an unlicensed friend that lives in an area where those game are unlawful to hunt -- that is permitted by the DFG regulations (gifting fish or game). As long as my friend was not hunting, then no problem.

Remember, the regs refer to both "take" limits and to "possession" limits.

Just call your local DFG and ask them -- problem solved.

[#1Predator]

I have had these almost, but not entirely dumb questions, eating at me for awhile now.

Most anyone who hunts tree squirrels in California knows about half of the state is closed to tree squirrel hunting all year round.

I live in the Northern part of Los Angeles County and hunting tree squirrels is prohibited here throughout the entire county and most of Southern California unless it falls under damaging or health threatening licensed rodent control.

I also live fairly close to the Kern County line and East of the Interstate 5, which would allow me to go after tree squirrels as long as I am in Kern, East of the I-5 and in a place that allows hunting.

1. Can I bring my bag limit back over county lines into L.A. County?

2. Does this come under the same laws for transport as Deer in this state?

3. How could I be best able to prove that the tree squirrels were legally taken in Kern or other legal hunt areas?

4. Also, I was wondering how many tree squirrels could be in possession as taxidermy models taken over time from year to year, or would it just be under the legal bag limit of just 4 tree squirrels in possession?

Or is the possession amount different because it for the most part only the pelts? Afterall, I know that some people have multiple animals used for clothing and other useful items.

Thank you for any replies to any of these questions in advance.

1. Yes.
2. I don't understand the question.
3. The burden of proof is on the government (as stated by jackrabbit above).
4. Taxidermy animals (tanned hides, stuffed heads, stuffed birds, etc.) don't fall under the possession limit regulation.

[Stonepointer]

2. I don't understand the question.

Probably the second question did not need asking.

I only meant that if it is the same as taking a legally tagged deer across areas or zones that the deer was not taken in, because it is easy enough to show proof of a tag for deer and I do know that transport across zones is legal.

All I would need to show for squirrel is a valid license, but I just want to avoid any problems.

As far as calling the DFG, I did think about asking something like this in their FAQ section, but could not find it. It would probably be better to call anyways.

Thanks everybody for the answers.