I read about this.

Despite the law, I personally like the coin flip idea; to me, it seems more than generous on the landowner's part.

While it may have been nice to give the deer to the boy, I feel it would have set him up to expect that same treatment in the future. This way, he learned how hunting really works,i.e; it's not a game and that there are morals,ethics and legalities involved.

Frankly, I think he got a lesson far more valuable than his first buck. Of course, it will take years for the boy to understand this...

I would have split the deer 50/50.