All animals taken pursuant to a S401 permit, except wild pigs, must be immediately tagged with tags provided by whom?

The correct answer is that all animals taken pursuant to a S401 permit, except wild pigs, must be immediately tagged with tags provided by the department. This requirement ensures that the tagging process is standardized and regulated by a governing authority, which in this case is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This serves multiple purposes: it helps with data collection on wildlife populations, allows for tracking of harvested animals to prevent illegal hunting practices, and ensures that all tagging adheres to state regulations.

Tags issued by the department are specifically designed to meet regulatory standards and provide crucial information to wildlife management officials. Using department-issued tags helps maintain consistency and accountability in the reporting and management of wildlife resources, which is vital for conservation efforts and ensuring sustainable hunting practices.