[RNunk]

See thread in the Crossbow forum. Seems to be some confusion about whether or not a WCO can escort you onto private property, after you've already been told "no" by the landowner, to find a deer you've hit/are tracking.

IMO, I believe that if a landowner says "no", then it is no. Calling the PGC and asking them to come out and talk with the landowner or go with you on the property to search for the deer, again, after already being told "no", isn't going to help. The PGC does not have the right to make that landowner allow you to look for your deer.

What is the official stance on this?

Thanks.

 

[JD3]

"Recovery on posted/private property?"
http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=799757&fpart=1

From the above link:

(a) General rule. - The carcass of game or wildlife lawfully killed or taken shall be the property of the person who inflicts a mortal wound which enables that person to take possession of the carcass.


(b) Officer not to arbitrate disputes. - No officer whose duty it is to enforce this title shall be called upon to arbitrate any dispute concerning the ownership of game or wildlife or to testify concerning any such dispute.

While a WCO may attempt to recover a wounded animal for a hunter on private property if they have time, sub section (b) is clear that an officer may not arbitrate the ownership of game and that is just what this situation would be. If the landowner says the WCO may not retreive it he dosen't have the authority to remove it. And there is no madte for them to do so. I did it a few times when the landowner allowed me to remove the deer but if they would have said no, I would not have done it.

 

[RNunk]

(a) General rule. - The carcass of game or wildlife lawfully killed or taken shall be the property of the person who inflicts a mortal wound which enables that person to take possession of the carcass.


(b) Officer not to arbitrate disputes. - No officer whose duty it is to enforce this title shall be called upon to arbitrate any dispute concerning the ownership of game or wildlife or to testify concerning any such dispute.

While a WCO may attempt to recover a wounded animal for a hunter on private property if they have time, sub section (b) is clear that an officer may not arbitrate the ownership of game and that is just what this situation would be. If the landowner says the WCO may not retreive it he dosen't have the authority to remove it. And there is no madte for them to do so. I did it a few times when the landowner allowed me to remove the deer but if they would have said no, I would not have done it.

The above is right from John S. A big cheese with the PGC. The simple answer is NO. The WCO can not retrieve the deer.

 

[Fleroo]

The above is right from John S. A big cheese with the PGC.

HaHa... he is, is he ?

 

[BCozhunter]

The moldier the better

 

[Guest]

The above is right from John S. A big cheese with the PGC.

HaHa... he is, is he ?

FORMER big cheese. Now, just a retired old duffer......with a honey do list.

 

[Ghost]

I suspect John S is of the limberger varitey

 

[Woods walker]

Stilton!

 

[RNunk]

Yeah, I guess I should have clarified! Sorry John! Don't want to make you sign back up for another gig. Enjoy retirement!

 

[Guest]

Stilton!

Stilton is a type of English cheese, known for its characteristic strong smell.

Probably smells like PA roadkill. LOL

 

[Coureur De Bois]

Has a high amount of sea salt mix in too.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, that would suit John and remind him of his Navy days. LOL

 

[buerysgrove]

When my sons took the hunter ed 1 15 yrs ago and the other 11 yrs ago somebody asked the WCO this question.He said the deer is state property and to call him and he would retrieve it.He was adamant about it.That's why I remember it.

 

[Buk_Huntir]

When my sons took the hunter ed 1 15 yrs ago and the other 11 yrs ago somebody asked the WCO this question.He said the deer is state property and to call him and he would retrieve it.He was adamant about it.That's why I remember it.

Whats his phone number?

 

[buerysgrove]

The course was given in the SE so I guess you call that office.By now he's liable to be reassigned or retired.I took him at his word.I thought that was the law.Like I said it was either 15 or 11 years ago.

 

[poconojoe]

Just read an article in our local paper on Sunday about this. Evidently it happened in CT, and how it ended up in a MA paper is beyond me, but anyway..... Apparently, a hunter legally shot a buck adjacent to a housing development, and the buck ran for some distance before collapsing. After tracking it, he was able to locate it in a private back yard. He approached the owners and asked permission if he could retrieve the deer. He was met with a verbal attack by the owners, and threatened with arrest and such. This happend on 10/4 of this year. The hunter contacted the police and the local WCO regarding getting the deer, and they advised that they would not help.
Somehow it ended up in the local paper and they interviewed the landowners. I guess they got sick and tired of hearing gunshots during hunting season, and when this deer fell on their property, it was their chance at retribution. The owner was quoted as saying that the deer is in his yard, with a mortal arrow wound and that it will rot and become food for the scavengers, before he would allow a hunter to get it. Nice guy. Sad to see the deer died for naught. I would think he would be able to be charged with wanton waste of wildlife for refusing the hunter to retrieve it. Don't know the laws on that, but it would sure tick me off.

 

[Daubber]

Buerysgrove - I've been posting the same thing...I teach hunter ed in the SE and I know I am not making this up - the WCO stated many times he CAN go on private land to retrieve game. Maybe it's a "SE Thing". LOL