81-7-111. Evidence of killing by bounty claimant. (1) Any person killing a predatory animal, except a mountain lion, to obtain a bounty shall within 30 days of the date of the killing:

(a) exhibit the entire skin of the animal, including the entire head with ears, the tail, and all four paws, to the bounty inspector nearest to the locality in which the animal was killed; and

(b) at the same time file with the bounty inspector an affidavit setting forth:

(i) that the person killed the animal from which the skin was taken;

(ii) that the animal was killed nearer to or, if more than one hide is presented, that the greater number of animals were killed nearer to the residence of the bounty inspector to which the animals are being presented than to any other bounty inspector; and

(iii) the county or counties in which the animals were killed.

(2) Any person killing a mountain lion to obtain a bounty shall present the mountain lion to a bounty inspector as provided in this section, except that, in addition to the requirements of this section, the skin of a mountain lion must also contain the entire skin of the lower jaw, which must be severed by the bounty inspector and thereafter treated in the same manner as the skins of other animals subject to this section.

(3) Every bounty inspector appointed under the provisions of 81-7-111 through 81-7-118 and 81-7-120 through 81-7-122 is empowered to administer oaths to persons making the affidavit required by this section.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 109, L. 1925; re-en. Sec. 3417.5, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 46-1906; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 214, L. 1997.