Non Hunter Question

[HarryG]

Hello All,

I don't Hunt, but I love Venison. A neighbor told me to get a license and he would shoot and tag the deer for me. Is this legal? Is it ethical? Normally I would just say "no" but venison is very tasty and I am tempted. But I don’t' want to be unethical or illegal.

[Walleye Guy]

No This is not legal. For him to use your tag you need to be in the field hunting with him. You cannot just give him your tag and he cannot come and pick you up and bring you to the deer he shoots so you can tag it. If he wants to give you some venison he should buy extra management tags if they are available in his hunting area.

[red bricks]

Unless you are with him "party hunting" it is illegal. (party hunting means you are hunting with him at the same location and time, he can shoot a deer and use your tag). Personally I wouldn't shoot one for someone else unless there was a serious overpopulation of deer in my area.

[smg04]

i would just give him $13 and have him go get a bonus doe tag, then he's leagle and can give u the meat just make sure u get the possesion tag with the meat, thats the little blue print out that u get when u regester the deer

[Powerstroke]

Everything her eis correct. Your neighbor cannot shoot a deer for you. He can tag a deer on HIS own license and then give the deer to you to do as you wish. He can also have it processed and then give you meat any way he wants. A bonus tag costs $14. You can reimburse him for the cost if he gets one for you.

[BobT]

If you give a deer to someone, are there registration requirements involved? I believe if venison is found in your freezer, you best have a registration tag showing ownership.

Bob

[Powerstroke]

If you give a whole animal to someone then you would use the "Transfer of possession" portion of the posession tag that you receive after registering your animal. Having venison in your freezer does not require a tag. I know many people who give venison sausage and steaks to family members for gifts. You can also buy venison at the grocery store.

Personally I keep my tags around just in case, but thats more a matter of having a filled out tag to remind me of the hunt.

[HarryG]

Well if all I have to do is go in the field, then maybe I will do that. I thought I had to have a gun in the field to take a deer. I had some venison and it is very good and I am getting more and more. If it did not make such darn good chili, I might not consider it, but man this stuff is good.

Thanks to all

[fivebucks]

The key to be in the field is "Party Hunting". I think you would get into trouble if you were not hunting. Now sitting on the ground with a gun in your hands with no intent to pull the trigger would probably get you by. If you go into camp to warm up or something you would not be in the field. I think the easiest way is to have your friend buy a bonus tag and gift you the deer, as others have said.

[harvey lee]

I do believe that to be party hunting you will have to have a gun in your hands. Just sitting out there will probably create a problem. You need to be hunting.

[tealitup]

Why??? When he could just use his friends gun in the field- if he has a license and is out in the field he should be fine. Heck, he needs a license to do a drive to his friend, but does not have to have a gun. I think this could be part of party hunting.

[SUNNYD]

Correct, making a drive is a great example...He just has to 'actively' aiding in the hunt...I think there is a lot of gray area here... It MAY be legal to just sit there and do nothing, however it is probably not the intent of the law. I guess the book can't cover all the scenario's, if it was any bigger we would be reading instead of hunting during the season. I hear next year they are going to a hard cover ...joking of course...

Take care!

[Blackduck]

If you plan to buy a license, and go out in the field, why not take your own deer?? Sounds like you have the groundwork started with the love of venison, you may find out that you are a hunter and love that as well.

[iffwalleyes]

Hold on here one way that it can be done that is totally legal and it is as Powerstroke mentioned. In MN if he is in an intensive harvest deer area he himself can buy a second tag (you pay him ) and shoot it then give it to you. His name is on the license and you can give a deer to a person after it has been shot that is legal.