First of all that really sucks. I was under the impression that game wardens have almost unlimited power when it comes to animals being killed, possessed, etc...

My question is of legal possession. If this guy is an anti-hunter, he would not have a deer tag. However, he now has a deer in his possession. If he does not have a tag and he does have a deer in his possession...I would call the game warden again and tell him this scenario, then ask him about the laws of poaching and possessing an illegal deer. In Michigan you cannot even remove a deer from a car accident without a road kill permit from the police or you’re subject to fines. Sounds like the game warden had probably cause to enter the property as he and the State police were called to the scene and saw the deer. If the guy did not have a tag or want a road kill permit, then you would think the game warden would confiscate the animal.

It always brings up the idea of possession. You have have a legal State endorsed tag / ownership of that animal. I realize property rights, but if my kid or dog ran onto your property are you going to keep them too and not let me go get him? I would have went and got the deer even if the DNR took it.

Sorry it happend. My father always said that no matter where you go and no matter what you do, 5% of the people in the world are A**holes. Unfortunatley, all we can do is avoid them.