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I came close to hitting a deer.. What should be done if you hit one... Suppose the deer is hurt bad

If it doesn't get up and walk off, I'd probably put it down to be humane. I believe you are suppose to contact the local game warden, but that may only be if you are wanting to keep it for processing. Its been so long since I took my hunter safety course, I can't remember.

Depending on the state laws, not sure what Texas laws say.

tommyg wrote:I came close to hitting a deer.. What should be done if you hit one... Suppose the deer is hurt bad

You are supposed to contact TPWD. If you are in incorporated area, despite the inclination to put it out of it's misery, I would be very careful about shooting one that's injured, unless TPWD or the local LEOs give the go ahead. If it's in a rural area, you may just have to use your best judgement, if it looks like it could still be a danger to other cars etc.. you can probably justify shooting it. The county sheriff's dispatch can contact the nearest game warden in that county.

I was told by a Game Warden that they needed to be contacted before you do anything. I asked about putting a wounded deer down humanely ( as I had done) and was told that was illegal. It is up to the GW as to where the meat goes.

The worst that could happen if things go badly:

WTR wrote:I was told by a Game Warden that they needed to be contacted before you do anything. I asked about putting a wounded deer down humanely ( as I had done) and was told that was illegal. It is up to the GW as to where the meat goes.

This

Need to call it in to the police, sheriff or game warden. You cannot keep a deer hit on the road. You cannot even cut the antlers off if it's a buck.

I have heard of permission being given to put the animal out of it's misery but only in very limited situations when it was definitely safe and an officer couldn't make it out there in a timely manner.

In my personal experience, here is what you should do. Call your insurance company and file a claim. Let the adjuster come out and see your smashed front grill. Get set up with a body/collision shop, and $1,300 later, you will be in business, waiting on a claims check.

TomV wrote:

WTR wrote:I was told by a Game Warden that they needed to be contacted before you do anything. I asked about putting a wounded deer down humanely ( as I had done) and was told that was illegal. It is up to the GW as to where the meat goes.

This

You cannot kill it legally. You cannot keep the meat. You have no say in what happens to a deer. Call 911, report it, and ask for them to send a game warden.

3 1/2 years ago, I came up on a deer vs auto accident the little accord was damaged but drivable the doe had broken a front leg and busted shoulder. I called 911 gave them my number, a game warden called back and told me if I had the means to humanely dispose of the deer he would appreciate it. I did, he arrived about 15 minutes later and about 10 minutes ahead of sheriff's deputy (no one but doe and Honda was injured). I gave a statement and they did what ever they do with the carcass. I asked the game warden if it would have been illegal to shoot and then call. He smiled and said, "That is not what happened so there is no need to do extra paperwork."

I hit a deer several years ago with my new pickup (1400 miles on it). A really big deer. I stop my truck and called the SO to report it and to get a wrecker in route. A pickup stopped on the other side of the divided highway and two guys jumped out and started running toward my location. I thought how nice it was that someone stopped to check one me. They stopped at the side of the ditch and grabbed what turned out to be the deer by the horns and started dragging it toward their vehicle. As they begin to load the deer, a Deputy arrived with a Highway trooper right behind. The Highway trooper took the two gentlemen into custody and the Deputy called for another wrecker. A game warden arrived to take custody of the deer.

Apparently, the State considers a deer to be their property. I called the State later to see if they would pay my deductible for the damage caused by their property. I am still waiting for a check.

"I am still waiting for a check."

Keep us updated.

NTexCopRetired wrote:I hit a deer several years ago with my new pickup (1400 miles on it). A really big deer. I stop my truck and called the SO to report it and to get a wrecker in route. A pickup stopped on the other side of the divided highway and two guys jumped out and started running toward my location. I thought how nice it was that someone stopped to check one me. They stopped at the side of the ditch and grabbed what turned out to be the deer by the horns and started dragging it toward their vehicle. As they begin to load the deer, a Deputy arrived with a Highway trooper right behind. The Highway trooper took the two gentlemen into custody and the Deputy called for another wrecker. A game warden arrived to take custody of the deer.

Apparently, the State considers a deer to be their property. I called the State later to see if they would pay my deductible for the damage caused by their property. I am still waiting for a check.

Yeah the State of Texas claims ownership of all deer here, but they don't take responsibility for their actions. I have heard about ( never personally seen it) game wardens allowing deer to be taken by the person that hit it. But yeah fresh road kill deer are not free for the taking as a general rule, as I'm sure the two gentlemen/good Samaritans found out.

True story...there are a lot of deer in our neighborhood (South of Austin outside city limits in Travis County). Deputies normally patrol our area on a regular basis. A deer had been hit by a car and was on the side of the road, we could tell it had just been hit and was writhing in pain. Just then a deputy pulled up, got out of his car and pulled a fairly large knife from his belt. He walked up, straddled the dear while holding its head down with one leg, and proceeded to put the animal out of its misery by slitting its throat.

Kids were impressed and so was I