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Dead buck

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deadeer
Major Contributor

Posts: 8,747

Dead buck Apr 17, 2014 0:51:54 GMT -5

Post by deadeer on Apr 17, 2014 0:51:54 GMT -5

My friend found a dead buck on his hunting property. It was a skeleton at this point, but everything was intact with no obvious sign of death. He asked the landowner if it was ok to take the head, or if he wanted it, and he said finders keepers no problem. Due to the size of it, he wants to have it aged and scored, but realizes since he did not harvest it, the score would just be a number. The rack would likely make the state record book IMO, but since he did not harvest, it would not count? Anyway, he does NOT care if it would be in the book or not, he would just like to know the score. So the question is, does he need a tag or contact the DNR in order to have it scored by a certified scorer? Thank you.

T/C Encores, Savage and Remington smokeless muzzleloaders, Camx and Excalibur crossbows

morrison
Moderator

Posts: 1,011

Dead buck Apr 17, 2014 10:05:34 GMT -5 greghopper likes this

Post by morrison on Apr 17, 2014 10:05:34 GMT -5

Your friend needs to contact the local Conservation Officer and allow that officer to verify his story. The officer would make the final decision. This will serve two purposes. It will cover your friend later if a complaint was made as to the obtaining of the deer. In addition, just because the deer is dead doesn't necessarily change the ownership of the deer, it technically still belongs to the state of Indiana and that ownership can only be bypassed by legally harvesting the animal or by permit or permission of a Conservation Officer. I do not see where your friend should have any complications by following this suggestion.

The information provided in the answers to these questions is not to be considered or implied to be legal advice. The information is to educate individuals on Indiana Code and the Indiana Administrative Code as they pertain to regulations with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. A person should contact an attorney for legal advice.