Ask a conservation officer

[Lee Borgersen]

Ask a Conservation Officer:
 
shooting a deer from a boat 

Q: During deer season, is it legal to shoot a deer from a boat if on public water?


A: In the case of a non-motorized boat or canoe, yes. However, there are a few other things you must keep in mind. You may not take a wild animal if you do not have lawful access to the land on which the animal is standing, so you would either need permission on private land or be floating adjacent to hunt-able public land. Wild animals also may not be taken from a motor vehicle, whether the motor is running or not, without a special permit. You must also have legal access to the water. If these conditions are met, it would be legal to take deer from a non-motorized boat on public water.