In my state you don't own the deer until you kill it and properly tag it which is your responsibility to do as soon as you recover it. If caught gutting or dragging an untagged deer you will be cited for poaching. Wounding a deer does not constitute possession in this state. Finding a dead deer and tagging it is also against the law. If you decide you want possession you must go through a warden who has the option of giving it to you.