Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

I was just reading over the Texas Outdoor Annual and it says that it's illegal to take like the rack of a buck that's been hit by a car. Have any of you ever done that?

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

If you call your state conservation agency, they will usually issue a roadkill permit so you can posses it legally.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Never done it but knowa few who have. It's pretty common. If you see a nice buck on the shoulder or in the ditch you can bet that the next time buy that deer will be bald. Around here if you want that rack you gotta take the whole deer. (have it tagged)

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

can't say that i have but i did get a gator head off a dead gator once...found out it's illegal to have one without the state numbers in it so i had to throw it out...that was the most disgusting thing i probably ever did....but i'd take a set of horns if the oppurtunity comes up.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Haven't done it myself and I believe it is illegal in PA without permission.Whether it is true or not I do not know but I have heard "stories" of guys paying $50 a point for nice bucks. Probably just urban legends though.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

I used to keep a mitre saw (not the box, just the saw) in my truck just in case. I never have taken a rack off of a roadkill, but I did take one off of a forky that someone we knew had shot, lost and we found a week later (the coyotes had found it some time before that). I was thankful that it was a really cold snowy day, what was left of that deer was quite ripe.

I've actually driven by a couple on the highway and each time I chickened out only to find the deer gone later. It is illegal to do so in MA, and the only way to get a roadkill permit is if you hit the deer yourself.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

It's illegal in Pa.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Sniper ,if you take the whole deer and call on the phone for a road kill permit and then take the rack to the PGC you can keep it ,but they charge 10.00 a pt. But you can not just cut the rack off and leave the deer.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

in ohio just call the sherif he can give you a road kill slip then it legal

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

never took a rack, took a tail once to make fishing flys though, lol.......

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Why take them if you didn't earn them ?

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Why let them go to waste when you can have them?

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Have them for what??? I have to agree with kevin1.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

PAbowhunteryou do have to pay for them in PA but i believe its $10 a point though. can still get expensive to get a rack thats been hit by a car. guess the game commission will do anything for money (like the elk licenses):D

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Maybe a spare set for rattling--some people make ornaments out of them.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

I once heard a story of a guy who ran over a buck on his way home from hunting. He tagged it and took it home. Not sure if it was legal or not, but sure made for a good story.

Like that "Deer Camp" song.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Not legal in Maryland. Could cost you $300 if you are caught.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

The issue in most states limits this because people who were poaching were claiming the animals were road kill. That is why they have made it illegal in most states.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

I run a road crew. One of our duties is to pick up road kill on our roads. I usually get a couple good racks a year. Each time I find a good one I call a deputy and he will issue me a tag before I take it. I have never had a problem. What do I do with them?
I have an old barn that I hang them up in, along with putting somein our hunting cabin. I like whitetail antlers. They are all unique, and it is fun to collect them. In 5 years of doing this job I have found 6 that would score 130 or better. No true monsters yet though. Those usually get claimed right away.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

Did it a couple of times when I was younger and didn't know it was illegal. Seemed like a waste of a good set of antlers. Was easy to find them on the highway early in the morning during rut. Don't know what a trooper would say n our state if you called him about it. As to the why of it: why hunt sheds when you didn't earn them either? I agree with riverbottom, each rack is unique and interesting. I mounted them in our hunting lodge as an inspiration and decoration.

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

you walk as many miles as I do hunting sheds.. you earn them.. you dont KILL them but finding a shed antler.. is in many ways for me ispersonally as good as killing an animal...as for roadkills.. yeah you really dont earn them but then again I agree that an antler shouldnt just be left tolay in a ditchthey are all unique and can be used for many purposes from decor, tools, furnature, rattling... etc..

RE: Taking Racks off of Roadkill??
 

I have never found a buck big enough where I would like to do that, but here in MN it's illegal to just cut them off and leave the animal lay. But all you have to do is call a sheriff/state patroland he will issue you a tag for the animal and it's all yours. I don't belive they charge anything for it. But it would be a big no-no to have a deer in your possesion without that roadkill tag.