23-3-303. Waste of edible portion of game bird, fish or animal, except trophy game animal, prohibited; abandonment of meat at meat processing plant.

(a) No person shall take and leave, abandon or allow any game bird, game fish, or game animal except trophy game animal, or edible portion, to intentionally or needlessly go to waste. No person shall knowingly possess any parts of a big game animal wasted as provided in this subsection.

(b) The failure of any person to properly dress and care for any big game animal killed by that person, and, if the carcass is reasonably accessible, within forty-eight (48) hours to take or transport the carcass to the camp of that person, and there properly care for the carcass, is prima facie evidence of a violation of subsection (a).

(c) No person shall abandon meat from a big game animal or game bird at a meat processing plant. Unless there is an express agreement between the processing plant and the person providing otherwise, any person leaving meat from a big game animal or game bird at a meat processing plant for more than forty-five (45) days is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection if written notice of the expiration of time has been attempted by the processing plant in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the game and fish department. The owner or operator in charge of any meat processing plant shall immediately report a violation of this subsection to any enforcement personnel of the department. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the owner of the meat processing plant is entitled to the proceeds of sale of any meat confiscated under this subsection up to the amount of reasonable processing or storage charges following a conviction under this subsection or a reasonable time after the violation is reported. If the department has been unsuccessful in selling the confiscated meat within thirty (30) days following the reported violation, the department may dispose of the meat as it deems appropriate.