Selling of Wild Game????

There is not an issue with you gifting the deer to the individual as long as the proper check in procedures were followed. Once you have gifted the deer, the person would now be able to pay the processing fee. The issue is the reimbursement of the license. The statute doesn’t allow for bartering. However, you can purchase hunting licenses as a gift. There would not be any issue if the person purchased the license at the beginning of the season as a gift to a hunter that has provided meat in the past. Purchasing the license in advance doesn’t guarantee the receipt of meat in the future. To reimburse for the license after the meat is obtained would be considered bartering.

IC 14-22-38-6
Unlawful sale or shipment of wild animals, nests, or eggs
Sec. 6. (a) As used in this section, "sell" includes barters, purchases, and offers to sell, barter, or purchase.
(b) As used in this section, "ship" includes transporting, delivering for shipment or transport, and causing to be shipped or transported.
(c) As used in this section, "wild animal" includes the following:
(1) A living or dead wild animal.
(2) A part of a living or dead wild animal.
(d) A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or ships wild animals, nests, or eggs that:
(1) are protected by law; and
(2) have an aggregate market value of less than five hundred dollars ($500);
commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(e) A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or ships wild animals, nests, or eggs that:
(1) are protected by law; and
(2) have an aggregate market value of at least five hundred dollars ($500) but less than five thousand dollars ($5,000);
commits a Level 6 felony.
(f) A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or ships wild animals, nests, or eggs that:
(1) are protected by law; and
(2) have an aggregate market value of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000);
commits a Level 5 felony.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.158-2013,
SEC.204.