Helpful Information after Killing a Deer
 

I always get questions on what can be done after killing a deer, or what needs to be done. Here is something that I hope will help answer those questions. I am not going to debate it. This is the rule/law. Bob


The information below is provided to assist you in answering your questions about quartering a deer before reaching a final destination. This information has been added to the PDF version of the 2009-2010 Outdoor Annual:

After Killing a Deer

(Also applies to pronghorn, except for License Log)

* After a deer is killed and before the deer is field dressed or moved, the appropriate hunting license tag or permit (MLDP, LAMPS, etc.) must be immediately filled out and dates cut out (See Tagging Deer or Turkey, pg. 60).

* Additionally, if a hunting license tag is used, then the Hunting License Harvest Log must be legibly completed (see Hunting License Harvest Log for White-tailed Deer, pg. 61).

* A hunter may transport a deer to a final destination (see Definitions, pg. 55), provided the deer is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer (see Proof of Sex in box, pg. 59).

* A hunter may skin and quarter a deer (two forequarters, two hindquarters, and two backstraps) and possess for transport, provided the quartered deer is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer. (See Cold Storage or Processing Facility, pg. 59, for exceptions).

* A deer may not be processed any further than four quarters and two backstraps (example, steaks, hamburger, chili meat, etc.) until the deer reaches a final destination.

* The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a deer required by law to be kept in edible condition. TPWD encourages all hunters to continue to keep other portions of the deer (trimmings from the neck and rib cage) in edible condition. Edible condition does not include any portion of a game animal, game bird, or fish that is: bruised by bullet, shot, or arrow, or otherwise destroyed as a result of harvest; decayed or rotting; or obviously infected or diseased.

* The tag must remain with the portion of a deer the hunter possesses. If any portion is transferred to another person before it reaches a final destination, then the transferred portion must be accompanied by a WRD (see Wildlife Resource Document - WRD, pg. 93).

The full version of the Outdoor Annual is available at the following link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/regulations_summary_2009_2010.pdf

I get a lot of the same types of questions, thanks for posting this Bob!

Good quick scan reminder.

Basic stuff, but can't hurt for even the old salts to read over it as a reminder. Just the other day I was told of someone that failed to keep "proof of sex" with a quartered antelope and they got checked. The gentleman knew better. He just forgot.

JvT, I have come to know that some of the seasoned hunters don't know the basic stuff. If this helps at least one person, than my job has been done. Bob

Bob you are right, some of the folks that have been hunting many years are the ones that make the most mistakes. None of this stuff is hard if everyone would take a little time before hit the field or woods to do a little reading.