What to do about hitting a deer but its not dead

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We have the same issues here in Illinois. The State says they own the deer but they are not responsible for them if they get run into. We can't kill the animal either, but we can take it home after it expires. So...you might try backing over it a few times while looking for it. Puts the poor critter out of it's misery, satisfies the State, and tenderizes all in one while you call the insurance agent about the accident. And as this is a gun related post, I'll say it saves ammo. :D
 
I would have done what your friend probably did ultimately. I would have removed the deer from the highway to both put the deer out of its misery and eliminate the safety issue for oncoming traffic. I would do what I feel is right.

One of the issues that comes up is "taking" the deer home for meat or whatever after such an incident. In my state, I believe that you have to get permission to do that from a game warden.
 
Safety and Humane-ness aside, the legality depends heavily on location.

Most jurisdictions make it illegal to take the road-killed animal simply to avoid encouragement of hunting with an F150.

The legality of how it gets dead varies widely.
 
Reminds me of the time when I was working as a rural cop, and came accross a deer on the road, clearly had been hit and left. So, I got out, put a CorBon 135 gr .40 JHP into it's head and killed it. I then advised dispatch that in case anyone heard a gunshot, I just dispatched a deer at XXX location, and it was in pretty good shape with some usable meat on it. I then went the other way, am sure it didn't goe to waste.

As long as the shot to kill it was done safely, putting it down was the right thing.
 
Road Kill Bill

In Tennessee its legal to pick up a deer that has been hit and take it for the meat. You are supposed to notify TWRA within 24 hours of the incident.
Seems as if everyone in my county has a scanner and folks are always listening . When a report goes out of a deer hit. By the time a squad car arrives there is usually someone there to help drag it out of the road then take it away.

2 years ago we had a good samaritan stop to move a dead deer out of the roadway and while he was moving the deer a car came over the hill and popped him good. It was months before dude could walk again.
 
I have been in almost this exact situation.

Deer was in the ditch ( not a road hazard) but very badly injured in obviously suffering.

I used the Sig P220 I was carrying to end the needless suffering of the animal

NOW: 1) This was in an unpopulated, rural area.
2) This was at night
3) This was in a location that discharging of a firearm is not against the law due to any city ordnance
4) This was in a location that the phoning of 911 for a sheriff would have likely taken an hour or more


I did not call anyone, I did not ask anyone, the ditch acted as a backstop in the event of overpenetration (which did not occur) I did everything that I could to prevent the animal from dying slowly and in agony.

The bullet did its job, the animal died peacefully and I would do the same thing tommorrow if it happened that way.

IF IT WERE IN CITY LIMITS, NEAR THE INTERSTATE OR IN AN AREA WHERE THE FIRING OF A GUN IS NOT LEGAL I WOULD HAVE STILL FOUND A HUMANE WAY (KNIFE) TO DISPATCH THE ANIMAL.
 
Depends on the state. In Arkansas the Game and Fish officers have to authorize a deputy to kill the animal. The person who hit the deer cannot legally kill it. If it were me and no one was around, I would dispatch it, drag off road and drive away without telling anybody what happened.
However, your lying on road to shoot parallel kinda lost me.........:confused:
 
OK, we know most states say it's illegal for a civilian to dispatch a wounded animal.

We know cops will not advise you to break the law by doing so.

We also know what is humane and right notwithstanding legalities.

The question is, can anyone come up with a case where someone had been charged for dispatching a wounded deer, and removing the hazard from the roadway.

I do know there are tons of deer killed and injured on highways here. I also know its illegal in Wyoming to dispatch an injured animal.

I also know its done here all the time. But I have never heard of anyone ever being charged.

When I was in LE I would not encourage anyone to break the law. I've been retired now for nearly 18 years and I still do not encourage anyone to break the law.

Just remember, its not the fish cop or local cop's face you see in the mirror when you shave in the morning. You know what is right and moral. Act accordingly.

I policed an area, where it was not deer we worried about, but Moose. We had the same rules: Injured animal, call fish and game. Yeah right, I've gone that route and never seen fish and game show up. I don't remember exactly, but I think I've personally (while working LE) dispatched 8 or 9 moose. Wasn't suppose to, but I did in violation of state law and our policy. I have never got so much as a verbal reprimand.

Regardless whether is was right, wrong, illegal or what ever, my conscience is clear on this matter. That picture was taken with a department camera and developed in the department lab. Dern near everyone in the department saw the picture. Fish and game got the rack, they know how it was taken. Nothing was done, no charges for violating state law or dept policy.

If you've read my post, you may remember I've posted a picture of a rather large bull I dispatched with my service revolver.

Again, can anyone show me a legit source where someone was charged or prosecuted for dispatching a suffering animal?
 
Most jurisdictions make it illegal to take the road-killed animal simply to avoid encouragement of hunting with an F150.
Click to expand...


I remember seeing a beat up farm use truck (is there any other kind?) going the other way on a divided highway swerve towards a deer eating near the edge of the median.
As he got closer the driver's door swung open and clipped the deer.
The driver then stopped and jumped out with a tire iron in his hand and ran back.
 
So far of all the ideas posted I like the "drive over its head" the best. Requires no gun, your filing ins claim anyway if ti happens to kick and dent a fender or something. This is all assuming your vehicle is still operable afterwards.

In the event the car won't run, maybe tire iron. I'm not really for beating something to death though as that's a pretty awful way out unless I've got a sledge hammer and I know the first blow will be the last. Modern tire irons are pencil thin and not what they used to be.
 
Last one I hit was just in the city limits of Council Bluffs Iowa, you dont shoot in that town them cops will harm ya. So I calls 911 tells em they is a deer hurt in the road and I am afraid some car will hit it. Didnt tell em I hit it tho. So a dept comes out, I know him, we chat a bit, he asks me "you want it" I say "yeah" he gets the shotgun out and does a head shot on it, fills out the tag anf hands it to me. Says "you need help" I say "no I got it" load it up and go home. Pay 250 deductable for the damage deer did to my car.

6 times so far in 14 years......

Let the cops handle it, why would someone ever do anything that may alter their ability to own guns?
 
I had to use a baseball bat one time.

I hit a doe and she got away but I found her trying to get through a cyclone fence. Looked like her back was broke, only her fornt legs were moving.

You want to whack it right at the base of the spine and in an upwards motion so as to dislodge the brainstem from the spinal cord.

It wasn't pleasant but had to be done.
 
As others have said it depends on the location. If it is out in the sticks which is where I live then I would just shoot it. Within city limits then probably find a good mêlée weapon.
 
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