Free Deer Meat

This morning on my way to work I saw a doe lying dead on hwy 73 in Geismar. As I passed her another vehicle did also. The other vehicle whipped around and dodging traffic coming from both sides he loaded it up and drove away. It was killed over night because I passed there yesterday and didn't see it. I know when you hit one and take it.... it is illegal. I was just wondering what are your views on getting the other type of "ground meat". I want some stories good and bad..... any one get one and find out it went bad?

I know of several people that have hit deer and call to report it for insurance purposes that have been told to take the deer if they wanted it.

Warren

it is not illegal if deer season is open at least that is what i heard.

I have never read where taking deer killed from a car crash is illegal. Where did you get your info from?

Its just what I have heard. I have heard that the WLF or other authorities need to be involved then you can take it. I guess it is illegal in the way of leaving the scene of an accident. If you hit it, get it, and go... I think that is the part that is illegal

If you hit it or someone else does, you can load it up in your truck, HOWEVER, in order to posses a Deer you MUST posses a VALID Big Game License from the state that you are possessing the Deer from. If you have a license, then, in Louisiana, you must still tag the Deer with the proper tag. It is only ILLEGAL if you don't follow the above!

Where do you find the law about tagging a roadkill? That can't be. What if you aren't a hunter and don't have a license? Supposed to go buy a license after that fact? Can I do that in the deer stand--wait till I kill then get a tag after the fact? Why would it be legal with a car?What if I already used 3 doe tags and crash into a 4th doe? What do I tag her with? Am I now over the limit? What if my non-hunting wife was driving and she hit it? Use my tag? So if you kill it in a crash and leave it on the road, are you guilty of wanton waste of game? What if it was a spotted fawn? Guilty there too? Come on guys--IT IS A CAR CRASH!!!! Just happens to involve a deer not another car. A car crash is a car crash, not a hunting attempt. Hunting regulations govern intentional acts to take an animal, not car crashes. If you have fur and a dent in your car grill and a dead deer in your trunk with 2 broken legs and no bullet wound, I truly believe a game warden will have the skill and training to recognize that this was an accidental kill by car crash, not hunting related. If it is fresh and you can take it home, I am taking pics with my phone and I am taking it home.

Guy i wouldn't count on them using common sense but regardless no sense in the deer going to waste. i know what i would do regardless. that is a dumb law if that is true...

If you call hittin' a deer at 60mph fast food...you might be a red neck..lol...Jeff Foxworthy. I guess the wardens would have to evaluate the situation...I know of some individuals who might drift to the right slightly for some sausage and ground meat..I don't know them personally mind you..I just know it probably happens.

I'm sure if you hit a deer with a vehicle and you put it in your car/truck and a game warden stopped you, I'm sure he lets you go as common sense would be the right thing to do, HOWEVER, the LAW is to posses a deer you must posses a Big Game license and since Loiuisna has a tagging system now, you would have to tag it. Prior to the tagging system, a deer was hit by a car and I had to finish it off as it laid there looking at me, I wouldn't turn it over to anyone that didn't posses a Big Game license, I handled the crash and a guy with a Big Game license stopped and asked if he could have it, I turned it over to him. When the Game Warden showed up on the scene I advised him of the incident and he advised that my decision was correct. If you hit a deer with a vehicle it not a crime and doesn't go against your limit as long as you leave it. Wanton waste is a deliberate act, not and accident.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news to you my friend, but I just spoke to my brother who IS a game Warden who stated if you hit a deer with your vehicle you are entitled to keep it. You do not need a big game liscence to posses such deer hit by a vehicle, nor do you have to tag it. The lwf does however request thart you make a common courtesy call to them notifying them of the accident as well as getting a police report, but if you don't it's no big deal. He said if he or any others pull you over with a deer in the vehicle, they can tell if it was struck by a car, they will chuckle at you, smile and send you on your way. Those are his words, not mine!! Theres your answer guys!!

Earlier this week in early AM I passed 2 does that were hit by vehicles. One on I-10W shoulder and one on I-10E median, between Hwy 73 and Highland exit. Both were picked up by mid day.
I hit a spike years ago while headed in to town from the camp around 8pm and called it in to the WLF hotline, they tried to patch me thru to an agent in the area (Winnfield), but after wating 20 minutes for a call back, I loaded it up and took it to the camp. Never did get a call on it.

OK so I'm driving down the road and this deer jumps out in front of my truck, she/he is done and I have 3 to 5 thousand bucks of damage to my vehicle. Who is responsible for the damage, the state, parish, or L.W.D.F. Don't think any of them will so the deer is mine.I work a fire dept. and when a deer is hit the driver of the vehicle is given first choice, if not we take it. Never had a problem with L.W.D.F or police.

...another dimensional dilemma for Pompeii ???...thems state folks just gott'a to learn to keep 'dem deers off 'da Hi-Ways...or just teach'em to run on private property ???...cheers

That's not bad news, I shared my experience and you had some first hand information too. I could be wrong, I've been wrong before. I think the bottom line is ANY and ALL Law Enforcement officals have the right to use discretion on ALMOST any case they work, so it all depends what Officer is handling the case and how much common sense he/she is willing to use. Good luck hunting my friend.

I emailed LDWF on Thursday, here is the straight info from Major Keith Lacaze:
"Deer/vehicle collisions should be reported just like any other vehicle accident. State or local law enforcement will respond as they do to any other vehicle collision. In many cases the deer is so severely damaged it is not salvageable as food. But if it is and the driver who hits the deer wants it, a DWF Enforcement agent is contacted by the law enforcement agency handling the collision. The agent can authorize the driver to take possession of the deer. However in a case where the collision is un-reported and the driver takes the deer and is caught with it, the driver is subject to being cited for illegal possession. "

That is a copy of the email I received from Major Keith Lacaze with LDWF. If you ever have any questions, you can email him. I have sent him questions about 10 times over the last 2 years and always get a response within 48 hours.

This is the real info, and not something I heard from "my brothers friend who is a game warden." Please end the opinions.

...this has nothing to do w/ this issue but judging from a state auction after things are useless it is offered to the public...but if they can squeeze anything out of it...they keep it ???...guess I'am way off track ???...cheers

Who wants to eat road kill anyway. Now that should settle the debate!! LOL!!! I think everyone had a partial truth to the matter, but it looks like cajunhopper comes away with the victory!!

Morris...there is a old Sicilian plate w/ red gravy and "Bobbaluche"...'ya should see 'dat one ???...cheer to 'ya