10-27-2004, 02:28 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D, -- Fall is the time of year when automobile collisions with big game increase in number, and Game, Fish and Parks officials are reminding motorists that it is illegal to pick up road-killed big game without prior authorization from a conservation officer.[/size]
[size 2]"The combination of harvest activity, hunting seasons and the onset of the rut increases the frequency of big game moving across South Dakota’s highways," said Regional Conservation Officer Supervisor Mark Smedsrud of Sioux Falls. "Motorists should be alert for roaming animals, especially during the early morning and late evening, when they are most difficult to see."[/size]
[size 2]Smedsrud said if a motorist should happen to collide with any big game animal, they should immediately contact a law enforcement agency. Additionally, if the collision kills the animal and the motorist wishes to retrieve it, they must contact a conservation officer and obtain permission before attempting to remove the animal.[/size]
[size 2]"If any big game animal is killed by a motor vehicle on a public highway, any person who desires to possess that animal must notify a conservation officer prior to taking possession of the animal," he said. "Additionally, there have recently been a number of road-killed deer where motorists have stopped and removed the antlers from the buck deer. Removing antlers is unlawful without permission from a GFP Conservation Officer."[/size]
[size 2]He also noted that the purpose of the law is to protect the public and possession laws. "The law separates lawfully harvested game from those killed by automobiles," he said. "Simply allowing people to pick up roadside dead animals, either whole or in part, would compromise possession laws. For example, without this law, poachers could claim an illegally harvested animal was found along a road, and officers would be powerless to do anything about it. With this ruling, unlawful possession of road-killed big game can lead to arrest."[/size]
[size 2]He added that written authorization must remain with the carcass while in processing or storage. Additionally, no part of an animal may be sold, bartered or traded. There is no fee for the issuance of such authorization.[/size]
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[size 2]"The combination of harvest activity, hunting seasons and the onset of the rut increases the frequency of big game moving across South Dakota’s highways," said Regional Conservation Officer Supervisor Mark Smedsrud of Sioux Falls. "Motorists should be alert for roaming animals, especially during the early morning and late evening, when they are most difficult to see."[/size]
[size 2]Smedsrud said if a motorist should happen to collide with any big game animal, they should immediately contact a law enforcement agency. Additionally, if the collision kills the animal and the motorist wishes to retrieve it, they must contact a conservation officer and obtain permission before attempting to remove the animal.[/size]
[size 2]"If any big game animal is killed by a motor vehicle on a public highway, any person who desires to possess that animal must notify a conservation officer prior to taking possession of the animal," he said. "Additionally, there have recently been a number of road-killed deer where motorists have stopped and removed the antlers from the buck deer. Removing antlers is unlawful without permission from a GFP Conservation Officer."[/size]
[size 2]He also noted that the purpose of the law is to protect the public and possession laws. "The law separates lawfully harvested game from those killed by automobiles," he said. "Simply allowing people to pick up roadside dead animals, either whole or in part, would compromise possession laws. For example, without this law, poachers could claim an illegally harvested animal was found along a road, and officers would be powerless to do anything about it. With this ruling, unlawful possession of road-killed big game can lead to arrest."[/size]
[size 2]He added that written authorization must remain with the carcass while in processing or storage. Additionally, no part of an animal may be sold, bartered or traded. There is no fee for the issuance of such authorization.[/size]
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