I find this to be interesting. And excuse my ignorance but, I'm not sure what the law is. In Wisconsin we have 134 deer management units (DMU) (map attached). Each zone has a classification to depict what the harvest limits, season length, and tagging requirements are. Let's say you shoot a deer in one DMU but the deer runs across the boarder of a DMU and you recover the deer in a different DMU. Should the deer be tagged where it is shot, or where it is recovered? Two questions: What is the actual law? What should the law be? I can see it both ways. You shot the deer in the first unit and that is where the deer was located when shot. On the other hand, you are physically tagging the deer in the second DMU. What do you guys think? http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/dmu.pdf
I believe it is considered the unit you shot this deer in but I will check with my Wi DNR friend and find out from her for sure. It's funny that you mentioned this as I live down by the Wi/IL border and on the way home from work last Thursday morning I was wondering the same thing. The only difference I was wondering if I shot it on the Wi side and the deer ran across the road into IL what would I do. I was actually on the state line rd so I am going to ask her this also. T Actually the more I think about this the Wi law requires you to tag the deer before it is to be moved so I cant wait to see her answer.
Oh Man you know how our DNR is but I will go with where you shot it but they will probably go with where it was tagged. I am emailing her now to get a answer if possible lol But then again when you shoot a deer and if it runs on private property you have to have permission to retrieve it from the owner.
From my game warden friend here in WIsconsin: You should tag the deer immediately where it lands. It is illegal to transport an untagged deer. If this were to be a EAB area that it fell into and you shot a buck then you should call the local warden. The other question about a deer running into Illinois, call the Illinois game warden. It would be a bad day if he contacted you afterward. I would just call them and let them know what happened. Hope that helps. Email me if you have more questions. Jen
I realize you should never move a deer until tagged. Let you give you the scenario that could happen to me this year. I am set up in and shoot a deer in a head control zone. But the deer crosses the road which puts the deer in a regular zone and I recover the deer over there. Do I use the tag for the regular zone or heard control? So do I have to tag the deer where it was shot or where it is recovered? Do I need to alert a game warden?
From what peakrut wrote sounds like you would have to tag it with regular zone tag to be legal. I would tag it with a hcz tag personally.
Not necessarily. She doesn't address where to tag if it crosses an internal state boarder if the deer is legal in both areas. What he asked for and what I am asking are oranges to apples IMO.
Here is what I had asked: Let's say you shoot a deer in one DMU but the deer runs across the boarder of a DMU and you recover the deer in a different DMU. Should the deer be tagged where it is shot, or where it is recovered? My question I am hunting down by the state line and shoot one with a bow and the deer runs across state lines into IL what am I to do? I would tag with the rules that apply to that zone that it dies in then contact a local warden. T
If it was me I would tag it from were I shot it! Your not hunting in the unit or state that it dies in! So you are legal if you tag it for where your hunting and if it crosses into another unit or state you would have to call the warden of that unit or state.and tell them of the situation.
I'm surprised this topic hasn't generated more interest. It's a hard one for me because I see it both ways 50/50. I was hoping for more of a right/wrong discussion.
