Retrieving wounded deer in Wisconsin

[totally_addicted]

Does anyone know the official rule about retrieving a wounded deer on private property in WI? My 14 year old cousin shot a deer today during the WI Youth hunt and it crossed the neighbors property line. They did what I consider the right thing and asked the landowner for permission to retrieve this deer. But the landowner said NO! Does anyone know if there is a way you can still attempt to retrieve this animal? I am assuming they are going to call a CO. I am not there but I can't believe any good human being would tell a kid during a YOUTH hunt that he could not try and retrieve his trophy... To me that is pathetic! Sorry just venting a little...

[B-man715]

Call the CO and go get that deer!!!!!! I think a police officer can also work.

Try to keep things positive for your little hunter and explain that it is rare for something like this to happen.

[jay83196]

That's unfortunate, good luck.

[matchset]

juvenile. give the kid the deer.

[Boar]

Wow wat an arse hole, He could at leaste went with him. Yea id give a co a call.

[jay83196]

I spoke with buddy that hunts wi he says pretty much screwd that a co etc won't help that if its on private land deer belongs to him now. He knows of situation where a big buck was shot and land owner went and looked at it and then decided to keep it after he saw it, apparently way law is written unless changed? ? ?

Messed up law if thats true...let us know how that turns out, good luck.

[Archerysniper]

If the landowner keeps a deer that was shot during a youth gun hunt and doesn't have a tag for that season he is now in possesion of a illegal deer and the warden should show up. That is if he keeps it or transports it.

[jay83196]

Good point, but this guy sounds like type that he could just let it lay or call co and say I found dead deer on my land can I have it..

[pikerliker]

I spoke with buddy that hunts wi he says pretty much screwd that a co etc won't help that if its on private land deer belongs to him now. He knows of situation where a big buck was shot and land owner went and looked at it and then decided to keep it after he saw it, apparently way law is written unless changed? ? ?

Messed up law if thats true...let us know how that turns out, good luck.

Law or not that's messed up to keep a 14 year old kids deer. I hope he's proud of himself.

[jay83196]

Makes you want to just trespass and take your chances.... I agree messed up takes real #@&%*% to denie a kid or anybody for that matter...

[Bear55]

Pretty sad deal, feel sorry for the kid.

[harvey lee]

Very sad that a landowner would do this to a young lad but there are some real losers out there for sure.

If Wisc allows this, they do need to take a look at thier laws in regards to a deer recovery to say the least.

What a joke!

[jay83196]

What is rule in mn, never had to look into it..

[MN Shutterbug]

I'd at least submit a "letter to the editor" in the local newspaper with the name of the jerk. If not permissible, at least give enough details re: location so the locals will know who you are referring to. At least others in the area would know what an arse he is.

[Bear55]

What is rule in mn, never had to look into it..

I think you can legally trail a deer (no wheapon) onto private land without permission. However if they ask you to leave you have to obey. It is alwasy better to ask permission, unless of course you run into a jerk.

If you aren't sure about your neighbor it might not be a bad idea to make a call in advance to work these problems out.

[mainbutter]

For Jay, MN rules:

- A person may not enter legally posted land for outdoor recreation purposes without permission.

- A person on foot may, without permission, enter land that is not posted to retrieve a wounded animal that was lawfully shot, but may not remain on the land after being told to leave.

- Landowners may be able to pursue court action against trespassers whether the property is posted or not. If you are caught trespassing, you may be issued a citation and assessed a fine under civil penalties, and repeat violators can lose their license or registration.

So all in all when it comes to retrieving game in MN, if it's posted, you're screwed. If it's not, you can enter, but once you're told 'no', you're screwed.

If you aren't sure about your neighbor it might not be a bad idea to make a call in advance to work these problems out.

Fantastic advice. We've made nice with the neighbors on the hunting land we have, put together a basket of goodies from our garden to give to each of them last season and this season, and my gf's mom is putting together a basket of halloween goodies for the kids who don't have the same trick-or-treating opportunities that city kids have.

We've got permission to enter some of their property for retrieval purposes. A bit of friendliness goes a long way, along with some free food One of the other neighbors is a bit funny in the head, but at least parted us with the request "don't shoot mah dawg an' I won' shoot yers!"

[HooknHorns]

I would like to comment on trespassing but there such a gray area and dont want any of you thinking im the other land owner.

There are questions that come up when this happens. Was the deer gut shot and not given enough time to expire? Was he thinking they were just trying to get a second shot on a wounded deer that was a muscle wound? We didnt get the whole story but either way it seems the landowner didnt give a hoot how the kid felt. Maybe there was a reason.

One thing though if this does happen to you. Ask first anyways,I dont think its right to continue your hunt, even on unposted property without permission big buck or not. If you get busted your going to wish you asked first. Probally ruined it for the future.

Remember there is no retrieving a wounded deer. The deer has to be dead before you get it. If it is leave the gun behind, grab the deer asap, dont gut it or take pictures. Be respectful of others property and those trying to enjoy the season. There should be no reason to enter someones property without permission with a weapon.

Not saying what happened over in WI was right. Just stating how I think they need to look at the wording in the laws.

Hope your cousin works this out cause that not how things should go.

Good advice above, talk to them first, and thank them after.

[GatorBait]

Wisconsin Reg, Short n Simple.

2012 Hunting Regulations Page 39

Remember: Although hunters are required to make a reasonable effort to retrieve game they have killed or injured, hunters may not trespass to retrieve such game, even if the game was shot from outside the posted area. Ask first for permission.

[Jason_Gundersen]

Ive seen this happen multiple times in WI... Sad really but he can't go over without permission from land owner and hes SOL if he said no

[Musky Buck]

This neighbor guy remember owns all the deer in that section, it's sad so many bury how exciting it is for a youth, sad deal, too bad that deer didn't bury itself in that fence.

[deerminator]

Did you ever get the deer? That is ridiculous. To tell you the truth, though, I think Minnesota, like Wisconsin, should make you ask for permission regardless of whether or not its posted versus the all over the place way the law is written. No suprise of course. : ) And let me add to that I think the other part of the law should be if a landowner refuses permission, then a CO could be called and help retrieve the deer upon his or her discretion.

This sounds like a cruddy situation with someone who is unreasonable. But there are plenty of those who also hunt property lines and shoot across them onto land they do not have permission to hunt. Again, this is not your situation nor am I implying it is. But it is the reason trespass laws are in place. It's just unfortunate someone like your neighbor has decided to act the way he has.

Several years ago, I shot a deer that went 100 yards across a bean field and into the neighboring landowner's woods. I went to their place, got permission and they helped me retrieve it on their 4 wheelers. Very nice people indeed. The property that abuts their's I do not own but have sole permission to hunt. It is several hundred acres in size with many good spots and after that, I decided that I would put all of my set ups further away from the property line. I hardly call 100 yards from it being a "line rat," as some call fellow hunters. But I decided after that if I had the property to hunt, I would move further out so I wouldn't have to place the opportunity to retrieve my deer in their hands. Or inconvience them. I was probably being too considerate but like I said. I had a lot of land to work with. Not everyone does I understand.

[bigbucks]

I think they should make the law everywhere that you have to ask. As long as you ask they have to grant permission, but have some reasonable control about how & when you do it & can certainly decide to accompany you. In my case I would like the option of going with, just because I love to trail deer & want to know what happened. I would never stop a guy from trailing a deer, but I want the option to see the blood to know it really is hit & then have a little control over how much of a ruckus they're making. Obviously how well you know the person will come into play on how much latitude you'd give them. I would never want to steal anybody's deer, but I don't want them stealing them from me either. I've got to belief that's how the majority of us feel.

Obviously if a landowner's told you ahead of time it's okay, that's fine. I suppose you can still get into the whole lying about who said what thing, but you can get that no matter what the law is.

[bigbucks]

Just one additional thought I also they should make the law that if you haven't made a reasonable attempt to contact the landowner & they catch you & tell you to leave, you still have to go. It's just a respect & courtesy thing.

[Musky Buck]

True enough. No wonder my dad had me work on neck shots, they drop instantly, it's just too bad the landowner didn't say I'll go with you guys, do you really want a pack of coyotes chowing it down instead, but who knows either, I don't blame the landowner either, we don't know what past experiences he may have had with other situations etc. Who knows, I had a MN friend opener of bow one year went to retrieve his deer, he tried to talk to the landowner and walked right into an opening in the woods full of pot. Bet he would've got a no way.

[HooknHorns]

There is alot of land in MN that is posted improperly and i think that allows room for arguement until they catch the tresspasser in person. Then theres higher chances of tempers flaring up.