Questions

[Moving2thecountry]

1.  Can you track a wounded animal shot at on private or public land onto a state park not open to hunting?  (And if so, do you have to leave your weapon behind?)
2.  If you track a wounded animal and find that it has been mutilated by predators (coyotes, wolves, lynx, cougar, etc.), are you under any legal or ethical obligation to tag it?

[Go Big Red!]

#1.   

#2.  That's a good question.  What would you do?  I believe if you didn't take the animal it would be considered wanton waste so I would say yes.  On the flip side, I would contact the local CO and get his input on the situation.

[kenhuntin]

I am guessing as far as #2 goes you are probably under legal obligation to leave the wild animals dinner undisturbed. But I bet you have to remove any lead bullet fragments. As you can tell I got no idea but would also like to know.

[HUNTER2]

contact the co on both.

[beeker]

I emailed the DNR to ask them .. I will post the response once I have it.

[Go Big Red!]

Atta boy Beeker!   

[beeker]

no response yet.. but as soon as I know you guys will

[beeker]

no reply yet.

[MTCOMMER]

Must be a tough question for them that they have to consult on.... because I got a response from them in less than a day when I sent them a question, and it was in mid October.

That is an odd question that I am curious to know the answer to.   

[beeker]

I agree.. usually they're get back to me faster than this. maybe I'll resend it to a specific CO instead of the "contact us" email.

[beeker]

first reply...

Hello
On state park land you would need to contact the park manager first before you could track the deer.
Even without a weapon they need to be contacted first.
I’m double checking with enforcement about the second and hope to have an answer shortly.

[kenhuntin]

That is great. You could be fined or worse for wanton waste or the animal would spoil in the bush before you get an answer from the swift acting DNR. In their defense we should know the rules before we go out. Even if the DNR knows the rules or not. Stay tuned MNO will turn on the light.

[Mayfly]

In their defense we should know the rules before we go out.

In their defense?? We shouldn't have to email and research to find the answers. These are "rules" and "Laws". They should be black and white. Your right...we should know and it should be in the Reg book spelled out for us.

 

[deadeye]

I would say "no" you are not required to tag it.  Although it wouldn't be a bad idea to register it to help with the kill count.  Also, would you tag it if you found it three days after you shot it?  Probably not.

[beeker]

deadeye... I tend to disagree. I think they're going to say you have to tag it, just so guys aren't abadoning deer when they discover the ground shrinkage. I'll keep on em until they give me an answer. after all it's their job to interpret that mess of a regulation book they've created.

[Stensethfan]

Interesting questions...I look forward to the answers too...

In their defense we should know the rules before we go out.

In their defense?? We shouldn't have to email and research to find the answers. These are "rules" and "Laws". They should be black and white. Your right...we should know and it should be in the Reg book spelled out for us.

 

I agree completely, they need Joe Hunter writing these regs not lawyers.  I read the dang book ever year and still am confused more often than not. 

[kenhuntin]

Perhaps no lawmaker has ever thought about this happening before. And instead of telling a hunter it is up to you to decide for yourself what is best for wildlife they will not let that happen because we as a people that witness animal behavior and are the ones that want to see wildlife propogate the most are not mentally able in a lawmakers mind to make a decision.

[stevejedlenski]

no law is ever black and white, there is no way you can make a rule for every situation that is why laws are broad and "interpreted". as for tracking on state park, think about it. can u have a weapon on state park land? no. if you track onto someones land you should ask for permission first, but don't have to which is in the regs. now being its a state park most should think and get a hold of someone to let them know you didn't shoot it in the park. the DNR will not let you waste a deer (unless its in one of the ranges at ripley). honestly they couldn't fine you for tracking a wounded animal without letting them know as there is no law prohibiting this. however i doubt they would be happy and may try to get you for something else.

#2 this is where black and white needs gray. yes by law if you take an animal you must tag that animal whether you only have a hoof or the whole thing. however if you left an animal that was unusable (including leaving the antlers) i doubt anyone will fault you. now if this animal has only part of a hind quarter missing it would probly be a different story.