Legal Question for Pre-Season Find

[patrickrom]

Hello all,

I am an aspiring writer and am working on a short story in which two of the characters are deer hunters.

I have a question and am hoping that someone here can set me straight on the law or direct me to where I might find an answer to my question.

In my story, the two hunters are heading up to scout an area before the season opens and come across a recently killed deer in the road. Likely hit by a vehicle.

My question is what are the legal ramifications to them if they attach the deer to their vehicle, drive away and get caught by the appropriate law enforcement (police, ranger, ???)?

Thank you all for any of your answers or directions. And thanks for even reading this far.

Patrick

[ironhead]

LOL,,,here in Missouri,,roadkill is fair game,,,as long as there are no bullet holes, no problem.

[Bowhunters]

In Kansas we have rules and conservation tags for roadkillls.

In Kansas all (Sheriffs, Highway Patrol and Fish and Game officers) all three carry conservation tags for road kills, the person that hits the animal with their vehicle gets first rights for keeping it but if they don't wan't it then if someone else stops at the scene its first come first serve so to speak.

I'm not sure it would fall under poaching but probably game theft if you physically moved or loaded up a road kill in your truck without having that conservation permit because even though its dead its still considered property of the state until you place the tag on it.

[Tenpoint]

Fish and game laws are determined by the state or province. So it depends on where your story takes place. What state or province does this scene take place in?

Here in Ontario, you have to call the police or the Ministry of Natural Resources to obtain a possession permit. Possession of wild game without a license can result in fines, or even confiscation of personal items. However, as is probably the case in many places, the chances of actually getting caught and getting fined are pretty low.

Tenpoint

[patrickrom]

Tenpoint,

Thank you very much for your response. I made the terrible assumption that everyone knew that. Hah!!!

Anyway, the story is set in Los Angeles and the hunters find their deer east of Fresno.

Thank you again,

Patrick

[Bowhunters]

I would hate to think what LA's laws would be on that, they are so rediculous on their anti-hunting, tree hugging, etc. you probably have to get a letter from the Gov. Arnold Swharzenegger to pick up a road kill.

LOL