Back tags

[kill shot]

One other thing about a back tag is that when I first started hunting at the age of 12, I felt proud to wear the back tag. It almost seemed to turn my hunting clothes into somewhat of a uniform. Also you could see at a distance that I was a hunter and not a questionable character with a gun. (or bow)

[Sean B]

I don't mind them too much.  Only lost 1 tag in 30 yrs. You don't have to wear them in the Catskill or Adirondack Parks.  Not sure why though.

when I was a kid, I couldn't wait to get one.  It was like a right of passage.

[Irish Archer]

Hope that they never come back into Ohio. I like them where they belong......in my wallet.

[koops4]

I would rather not go back to the back tag again.  I have gotten use to it being in my pocket.  If they decide to change the law then I will obey the law.

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by Bowwild:
Having retired as a agency wildlife director I found that the vast majority of hunters are honest people. What ever the regulation requires is what hunters will try their best to do. On the flip side, a person intent on breaking the law will find a way to do so and then brag to their like-minded buddies later. One of the best things an honest hunter can do is is not to give illegal actions credence. Some people simply look the other way when a "friend", acquaitenance or family member describes and illegal action.

I've never lived or worked in a "back tag" state but I hunted in Michigan once where it was required. I always figured it was pretty easy to fake the legal look.  

I believe very strongly that regulations should not be focused on corralling the last unethical/illegal person so much that the honest masses are negatively impacted.

I'm beginning to hate when you answer a thread before I do as I could not write it any better.  With color copiers today anyone who wants to make a fake back tag will.  A friend and I had this converstation yesterday about the doom and gloom attitude over Ohio going to telecheck next year.....I said, "Welcome to the future".  There is only one deterent to illegal hunting practices and that is us policing our own.  State budget shortages, hiring freezes, etc are going to limit the # of officers in the field so we must all do our part instead of turning a blind eye/ear to the ones breaking the law.  How many times have you heard "I can't believe my uncle would shoot 2 bucks" or something similar and done nothing because not wanting to upset a relative, neighbor, etc...or to just not want to get involved.
There is a member on this site who's uncle learned the hard way that you don't brag to me about ilegle activities.  I turned him in as should we all.

[kill shot]

LoweBow, It's nice to have a guy like you on our side but go to the Michigan Traditional Bowhunters forum on this site and you will find a recent posting from a guy who has fears about turning a poacher in. He don't have your fortitude to be brave enough to do what you are willing to do. I can tell that it bothers this guy very much and he could use any advice he can get.

[gregg dudley]

Yeah that wisconsin three day waiting period is a crock.  I found myself unexpectedly in wisconsinba couple years ago and wanted to hunt, but couldn't because of the wait.  Completely ridiculous assumption that because a few folks might shoot then buy all do.

[reddogge]

We used to have to wear them on our backs in MD and it ruined so many good hunting coats I can't count.

[Ken Babicky]

In WI the 3 day wait is now gone as of this year for archery season. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the 3 day wait came from bow hunters shooting deer and calling their non-hunting buddies to buy a tag and register the deer so they could keep hunting.

Oh yeah... and I really do not like the back tag either although I'm forced to wear it. It is a pain as far as I'm concerned.

[bowmaster12]

monterey wisconsin no longer requires the three day waiting period after purchas of the tag, there was a case a few years back in wisconsin where a gun hunter shot a number of people one of those shot was able to write the shooters back tag number in the dust on a four wheeler so there is a use for them i dont have a problem with it, i just attatch it to my bino straps cause i always have them doesnt matter what jacket im wearing

[BTW]

Have never been a fan of back tags.

[stagetek]

We've worn backtags in WI. forever. No big deal. And, I believe the 3 day wait is no longer in effect.

[Bowwild]

Mike! (LoweBow)  I didn't realize that was you!  Thanks again for turning my friend and I on to the KY ridge "Kidney Stone Bull" back in 2006!

[rascal]

I recall the switch from back tags to the license I could carry in my wallet in MI.  I had mixed feelings at the time because I too recall how proud I was when I could finally put on a back tag and be part of a group of people that I most admired.  I think every kid I grew up with had that same feeling of pride and acceptance with is first back tag and Im sure many like me still have every one of them stashed away in some  special place.

I think it did serve as a reminder as well that you could be easily identified since you practically had a license plate on your back.  In fact I recall years after it went away some woefully uninformed legislator in Michigan suggested that we come up with some way to easily identify hunters by a tag that had to be displayed on ones person.  This was after a rash of trespassing complaints had come to light over bear hunting with hounds as I recall where people would simply refuse to identify themselves to land owners.  

All said and done yes they would only serve to keep honest people honest as they are and were easily duplicated.  I would like to see them come back all the same, call me nostalgic but I still love to pull out some of the old racks Ive got with the tags still attached.  Not to mention the ones I have in Iowa seem to be printed with the most fragile ink known to man on the most slippery paper science has yet to create.  Half the time I cant read the tag in my wallet after just a few days.

[kill shot]

Rascal, your right. I forgot about the nostalgic aspect. Could you imagine driving a car with no plates because they were in your pocket?

[Jerry Jeffer]

We have always had them, and I think everyone should.    

[lt-m-grow]

We have them as noted previously.  Back tags are a pain in the butt and I don't believe they do enough good to justify the cost.  People forget everything has a cost.

I also think if some of the WI hunters hunted in other states and didn't have to mess with it, they we realize they aren't of much value.