What should you do once you are sure the quarry is dead?

Once you are sure the quarry is dead, the appropriate course of action is to tag it. Tagging is essential for several reasons, primarily for legal compliance and tracking purposes. In many jurisdictions, hunters are required to tag their game to provide information to wildlife management authorities. This can help in managing populations and ensuring the sustainability of wildlife resources.

Tagging the animal also helps establish ownership and can prevent any potential legal issues that may arise if a game animal is found untagged. It acts as proof that the hunter has followed regulations and harvested the game legally.

In contrast, leaving the animal might raise questions about its status, while ignoring it would be irresponsible and disrespectful to both the animal and the environment. Skinning should only be done after tagging, as proper processing of the animal follows the legal requirements and ensures that the meat and other parts are utilized appropriately.