1. (1) It is unlawful for a person who kills a big game animal or turkey to fail to immediately validate their tag (unless the tagging requirement is specifically exempted by the fish and wildlife commission). There are two methods of tagging big game animals and turkey, paper tagging and electronic tagging.

   1. (a) A paper tag is validated by cutting out and completely removing the designated notches corresponding to the day and month of the kill for that species and immediately attaching the notched tag to the carcass of the big game animal or turkey.
   2. (b) An electronic tag is validated by following the prompts in the authorized mobile application and writing the confirmation number and date of harvest in ink on material that can withstand the elements and immediately attaching that to the carcass of the big game animal or turkey.
2. (2) The tag must remain attached to the carcass while it is being transported and must remain with the wildlife during the period of retention of the edible parts.
3. (3) For purposes of this section, the requirements in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section are the same, and constitute "notch a transport tag" as referenced in chapter 77.15 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 26-06-055 (Order 25-26), s 220-413-020, filed 2/25/26, effective 3/28/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and 77.32.090. WSR 23-23-045 (Order 23-01), § 220-413-020, filed 11/6/23, effective 12/7/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-413-020, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 07-17-064, § 232-12-061, filed 8/13/07, effective 9/13/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. WSR 97-18-020 (Order 97-168), § 232-12-061, filed 8/25/97, effective 9/25/97; WSR 81-22-002 (Order 174), § 232-12-061, filed 10/22/81; WSR 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-061, filed 6/1/81. Formerly WAC 232-12-160.]