Shooting injured deer on the road

[Overscore]

Living in PA, I figure I'll hit a few deer in my lifetime while driving, although I've yet to do so. But, in the event that I do hit one, and it's lying on the road suffering and not dying, does anyone know what the legality is of shooting the deer there on the road? Is this something that varies by town, county, state? Can't do it?

[knight0334]

Its illegal throughout Pennsylvania.

1. Its poaching
2. Its road hunting
3. It also could be construed to be shooting across a road under an elevation high enough for safety.

You can call to report the injured animal, which they may dispatch a WCO, another LEO, or a veterinarian to put the animal down. You are NOT allowed to finish the animal off with a gun, knife, club, bare-hands, or other means.


However, people have been known to accidentally run the animal over again while leaving the scene.

[Overscore]

Hey, thanks!

[headcase]

Hey, thanks!

Not to mention the fact that you would possibly be discharging a firearm in violation of some local ordinance...

[shortthrow50]

I wandered this as well. I do call the cops a couple weeks ago to report a sick racoon that stumbled across my yard into the neighbors. It layed down and was panting. Felt bad for it and wanted to kill it myself but i have too many goofy neighbors. Any way, cop came out, pulled out his pistol and capped it and bagged it.

[knight0334]

I wandered this as well. I do call the cops a couple weeks ago to report a sick racoon that stumbled across my yard into the neighbors. It layed down and was panting. Felt bad for it and wanted to kill it myself but i have too many goofy neighbors. Any way, cop came out, pulled out his pistol and capped it and bagged it.

Sickly critters in situations like that are another story. The PAGC may give you a verbal OK to dispatch the sick animal in your yard, but you may violate local discharge ordinances in the process.

[Finch00]

Sickly critters in situations like that are another story. The PAGC may give you a verbal OK to dispatch the sick animal in your yard, but you may violate local discharge ordinances in the process.

i've heard folks say they've called 911 and asked the dispatcher permission before. If i was had a recorded conversation with permission i'd think it would be ok.

but this is not legal advice

[Curmudgeon]

i've heard folks say they've called 911 and asked the dispatcher permission before. If i was had a recorded conversation with permission i'd think it would be ok.

but this is not legal advice

Hint: a 911 dispatcher is not an attorney, and nothing they say can free you of the responsibility for acts you commit. A recording will not save you.

Of course, IANAL.

[Finch00]

Hint: a 911 dispatcher is not an attorney, and nothing they say can free you of the responsibility for acts you commit. A recording will not save you.

Of course, IANAL.

understood FWIW i wouldn't do it

[-JD-]

Another situation where compassion and common sense fall to the states presumption that "the people" can't be trusted.