Section 750.20  Deer Killed by Other Methods

A whitetail deer that is killed by methods other than a collision with a vehicle may be legally possessed by an individual if the following criteria are met:

a)         Any individual finding a dead or crippled deer, other than those killed in a vehicle-deer collision or legally taken by hunting methods, shall not move, transport or take possession of the deer or deer parts until permission is obtained from a Conservation Police Officer or the DNR Regional Law Enforcement Office.  Permission will be granted to transport if it is determined by an investigation that the person requesting possession did not illegally kill or injure the deer and the deer is not needed for evidentiary purposes.

b)         A salvage tag will be issued for the deer only after the person seeking to possess the deer has provided all information/materials required by Section 750.10(a) and (b) and any additional information requested by the DNR Regional Law Enforcement Office (e.g., photos of the antlers). When retained, the head/antler or hide shall be properly tagged with an irremovable tag obtained from the Regional Law Enforcement Office.  The tag shall remain attached to the antler of the deer that has at least one antler three inches or greater in length. In cases in which the deer does not have at least one antler that is three inches or greater in length, the tag shall be attached to the hide/leg of the deer carcass.  The salvage tag shall remain attached to the deer as long as the head/antler or hide/carcass remains in a green or unprocessed state, or when in a commercial business for the purpose of taxidermy, tanning or other processing.  This tag can be discarded only after the deer has been preserved or processed for consumption and is at the legal residence of the person who legally took possession of the  salvaged deer.

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 7713, effective May 20, 2010)