While I understand where you are coming from I think you are missing the whole point around posession and tagging laws.... the laws are intended so that people who purchase licenses and tags are actually using them for hunting and not just giving them to fellow hunters so that they can shoot more deer... Your stepson was cold and hungery... welcome to hunting....lol... it is still your responsibility as holder of that tag to be the one and only one who places it on a game animal... Excuse aren't reasons and believe it or not, some of these laws are in place for valid reasons....
No, I understand the point of the rules just fine. I may just be an accountant, but I can read.
My point is that my violation of the strict rule was not a violation of the spirit of the rules, i.e. "the laws are intended so that people who purchase licenses and tags are actually using them for hunting and not just giving them to fellow hunters so that they can shoot more deer".
You know, this kind of response leads me to conclude that making more and more regulations and laws just makes the sheeple intellectually lazy. "I don't need to understand the intention of our societal rules, I just need to follow what's written down to the letter, without thought. Then I will be OK."
I have taught my boys that the most important thing is to understand the underlying principles of how we should behave in a civilized society ("the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule are a pretty good place to start). Knowing those will help guide your behaviour.
Messing up on the specifics of written regs can bring consequences, I understand that. But when you don't actually violate the principles underlying the rule, and aren't a #### about it with the CO, a warning would be more appreciated. The lesson would still have been learned!
I'll say it again, the law does not necessarily equal justice.
Can I blame the CO personally for not being able to read my mind and then he could know what kind of person I am and what I had intended? No, of course not. But I can still grumble about the system, imperfect as it is. And in the end, the lesson learned is: carry your papers, and only yours. Follow the rules religiously, even the idiotic ones (like encasing your firearm after dark; how am I supposed to use my carry strap on my shoulder when its encased?? I suppose I should just stumble around in the dark with the unloaded firearm in my hands instead of on my back, right?).
Thanks for everyone's comments. Class is dismissed. I learned a lot!