The "necessity defense" to trespass is alive and well in every state in the Union.

My guess is that your boy Higginson either failed to raise it, or just spared himself the aggravation, paid the ticket and went on about his business.

Just FYI - in most (or all) jurisdictions, an unauthorized entry by A onto B's land to prevent the waste of A's personal property (for whatever reason) - is a permissible necessity. Even in Ann Arbor. Your meat rotting away would constitute "waste."

But, while on B's property,if A would step in B's prize-winning Begonias - A will owe B for the flowers. So, A will want to be careful not to damage any crops orfaunawhile he's dragging his buck off of B's lot.

Another angle is public necessity - whereby a rotting carcass stinks and couldcreate a public health hazard. The removal of said carcass could be a public necessity.

Just thinking out loud.

...and for those who asked, I believe that the Pierson case (and its progeny)establishes my property right in the animal as soon as I have mortally wounded him. Even if he's dead on his feet. Even before the tag ever goes onto him, so long as he was taken within the bounds of the game code, and I am a properly-licensed hunter with a valid tag.