Game and Fish Commission

Game and Fish Commission Regulations

Effective Date: 01/03/2018 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 040.0001.59.01032018

CHAPTER 59

REGULATION GOVERNING TANNERIES

Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of Wyoming Statutes § 23-1-102 (a) (xiv), § 23-1-302, § 23-1-701, § 23-3-106, § 23-3-115, § 23-3-401, § 23-3-404 and § 23-6-111.

Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions shall be set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, Commission regulations and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:

1. (a) “Wyoming bobcat tag” means a tag issued and affixed by the Department to a bobcat raw fur.
2. (b) “Tanner” means any person who conducts a tannery operation or business.
3. (c) “Tannery” means a commercial operation or business that engages in the processing of raw hides or raw fur into leather, hair on hides or dressed furs.

Section 3. Game Tags. A tanner shall immediately affix a game tag and complete a Wyoming interstate game tag affidavit for each game specimen received by the tannery regardless of the place of origin, except as otherwise provided by this Section.

1. (a) A tanner is not required to affix a game tag to game specimens harvested outside the State of Wyoming if the specimens are tagged with a self-locking type tag in the state or country of origin.
2. (b) A tanner is not required to affix a game tag to game specimens from within Wyoming that already have a game tag affixed.
3. (c) A tanner is not required to affix a game tag to any hides or capes from any cloven hoof big game animals that the tanner receives, purchases, stores, handles, ships, sells, transports and delivers if records are maintained in accordance with Section 4 of this regulation.
4. (d) All game specimens, except as otherwise provided in subsections (a), (b) or (c) of this section shall be accompanied by the game tag, or self-locking tag from another state or country of origin. A tanner may temporarily remove any tag from a game specimen or bobcat raw fur to accommodate processing, provided the hide or bobcat raw fur is marked in such a manner that it can be readily identified. If a tag is temporarily removed to accommodate the processing of the game specimen or bobcat raw fur, it shall be kept with the work order or invoice for the game specimen or bobcat raw fur. If the tanner is not able to reattach the original tag(s) to the game specimen, the tanner shall lock the game tag or other tag and shall insure the game tag or other tag accompanies the work order or invoice and the game specimen. When the

game specimen is returned to the customer, it shall be accompanied by the game tag and affidavit.

(e) A tanner shall not accept a bobcat raw fur that does not have a Wyoming bobcat tag affixed to the pelt or an export tag issued by another state.

Section 4. Records.

(a) Immediately upon receipt of any game specimen, a tanner shall accurately record the following information on forms approved by the Department: the name and address of the person from whom the game specimen was received, date of receipt, description of the game specimen, and any identifying number, including, but not limited to licenses, tags, shipping permits or export permits which document the origin of the game specimen.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of hides or capes of any cloven hoof big game animals a tanner shall accurately record the following information on forms provided by the Department: the name and address of the person from whom the hide or cape was received, date of receipt, description of the hide or cape, and any identifying number, including, but not limited to licenses, tags, shipping permits or export permits which document the origin of the hide or cape.

(c) Records required by this regulation shall be kept up to date and shall be maintained on the premises until delivered to the Department. A tanner shall, upon request of any Department enforcement personnel, allow inspection of the tannery premises and required records during reasonable business hours.

(d) A tanner shall mail or deliver their records to the game warden in the area where the tannery business is located on or before January 10 of the following calendar year.

Section 5. Approved Forms for Records. The Department shall furnish or approve forms required for record keeping. If a tanner is a designated game tag distributor, the Department shall furnish the tanner with Wyoming interstate game tag affidavits and game tags. If the tanner requests and the Department approves, the Wyoming interstate game tag affidavit may be incorporated into the tannery's invoice forms so long as the required Wyoming interstate game tag affidavit information and format are not altered. The original copy of the affidavit(s) shall accompany the shipment of the game specimen(s).

Section 6. Return of Game Tags. Persons who no longer operate or perform the services of a tannery shall immediately return all fees collected from the sale of game tags, all unsold game tags and all Wyoming interstate game tag affidavits and records to the Department. Tanners that are game tag distributors shall deliver a complete accounting of all game tags sold, unsold game tags, all fees collected and all completed Wyoming interstate game tag affidavits to the Department on or before January 10 of the year following the year in which the game tags were issued in accordance with Chapter 29, Issuance and Sale of Wyoming Interstate Game Tags.

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

Keith Culver, President

Dated: November 14, 2017