Rules on tagging lost game (expanded)

In your response to a previously asked question you said that the hunter in the question did the right thing by not shooting a bull that he or she had wounded, lost, validated his or her tag for, and several days later found alive. In a situation where you have looked for a shot animal and cannot find it is it best not to validate your tag just in case of a scenario like that? Is it required by law that a hunter not shoot another animal if he loses one or is it a question of personal ethics?
Answer: 
You are not required to validate your tag until you take possession of the animal.  Hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve an animal that is wounded.  There are times when wounded animals are not found or recovered.  
Answered on: 
Friday, September 19, 2014 - 11:39 AM MDT