We stare at each other for what seemed like an hour before he said, "Son, would you mind putting that knife down and coming over to the car..."
I did so, and he asked me with a curious look, "Can you tell me just what in the hell you think you're doing?"
"Well, sir, I saw this antelope on the side of the road and I thought it'd be a nice skull so I pulled over and cut it off."
"I see you're not from this state by your license plate...Did you know it was very illegal, what you did there? That is a trophy animal, and you are required to have a permit to transport any part of a trophy animal in the state of Wyoming."
"Oh no, sir, I just figured cause it was dead and all it didn't matter - it's not like I hit it or anything. I was just tryin to not let it go to waste..."
"Alright, let's see your license and registration " I hand him my carry permit, license, and the paperwork - " So you're carrying today?" "Yes sir, under the seat" "That's fine - I'm going to my car so hold tight for me - I'm going to call the Game Warden and see what he wants to do with you"
I had a very difficult time not exploding in laughter for the entire 20 minutes he was on the phone in his truck behind me. I didn't care if he fined me ten thousand dollars, the whole scene was so ridiculous - that I would be in trouble for reconfiguring something that was lifeless was beyond me - it seemed so absurd! Hell, fifty years ago in that part of wyoming it'd be the sherriff himself cutting off the head - but the times have changed to a much more nannyish state than ever before and now you can't just cut up whatever you want even if it's already dead.
"Okay, son, here's the deal. We received about thirteen calls in as many minutes you were out here - five to the sheriff, four to fish and wildlife, three to WYDOT, and one to the Game Warden. I just got off the phone with him and here's what he wants to do: You follow me to his house, about ten miles away, he'll write you a warning, and if you'd like to keep the head you can pay $8 for an out of state game transport license. How's that sound to you?"
Nee