§ 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.