Hypothetically speaking…

My sons (17 and 15) both have their licenses this season.

17 shot a white tail buck and realized he'd left his tag back home. 15 year old tagged it with one of his and will use one of his brother's tags the next time they are out this season.

Is this a big deal? Is this a major no-no? What are the implications should this scenario have happened for real and not just in my imagination?

It's against the law to do that. Two charges could be brought against them. One for the deer not tagged by the person who shot it and the second is using another's persons tag to tag it….. and technically they can confiscate the deer as well.
It would be the discretion of the warden. Main thing if it really happened would be to tell the truth on the outset. Don't try to cover it up to the warden. Just come clean and if the warden verifies the son who shot it did indeed have a license you might just get warning tickets.

Newoldarmy said:

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Yea, it's a major no no and they will be ticketed if a game warden becomes aware of it.

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As stated…a major no no! Very illegal.

As long as you have purchased the appropriate digital license.

I watch a lot of the game wardens shows. Swapping tags is a big deal. It's raises a lot of red flags if you or your sons get questioned.

As mentioned already, it's illegal and a big deal... to the point that it may be worth deleting your post just in case someone wants to make your life hard.

You must read the rules sign at the neighborhood pool before hopping in

I try to raise my boy right. How about you?

Yeah not going there but I'm also not about to pay a $500 fine over leaving a piece of paper at home… Kid can learn without all that.

SabineAg said:

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Really not a big deal just make sure whoever "shot it" according to the tag says they shot it if a game warden shows up.

Deer is dead and a couple of young boys aren't filling out all their tags anyways.

Some posters above are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

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Meh…I'm with you. We all know what we would do in this situation and we all know what the law says. I'd just not ask for advice on this kind of thing online. Think it through. Do what you need to do. Make sure you got your **** together in case a warden starts nosing around and be accepting of the consequences in the off chance Barney Fife figures it out by some miraculous stroke of luck.