§ 10-415. Deer hunting -- In general

   (a) Deer seasons. -- There are the following 3 seasons to hunt deer:

   (1) Deer bow hunting season;

   (2) Deer firearms season; and

   (3) Deer muzzle loader season.

(b) Duty to report deer kill to checking station. --

   (1) Every person killing a deer shall report with the deer to a designated checking station within 24 hours after killing the deer.

   (2) Notwithstanding any requirement of law, if the designated checking stations are closed in the county where a person kills a deer, a Natural Resources police officer shall authorize the person to report with the deer to a designated checking station in another county.

(c) Bonus deer stamp. --

   (1) A person with a hunting license also may purchase bonus deer stamps from the Department.

   (2) A bonus deer stamp allows a person with the hunting license to hunt 1 deer for each stamp purchased in any of the following hunting seasons for deer in the State:

      (i) Deer bow hunting season;

      (ii) Deer muzzle loader season; and

      (iii) Deer firearms season.

   (3) An individual who purchases a bonus antlered deer stamp but does not use it during a particular season may use that stamp during any subsequent season in that hunting license year.

   (4) The fee for each bonus antlered deer stamp issued in accordance with this subsection shall be $ 10.00 for residents and $ 25.00 for nonresidents.

   (5) The Department may establish by regulation the type and number of deer stamps issued under this subsection if necessary to control the deer harvest in various areas of the State.

(d) Bonus deer stamp -- Basic hunting license. -- Repealed.

(e) Checking and weighing deer at station before removing head or hide; prima facie evidence of violation. -- A person may not remove the head or hide or any part from any deer, except internal organs, or cut the meat into parts until the deer has been checked by the Department or 1 of the Department's agents at a designated checking station. Removal of the head or the hide of any deer not checked at a designated checking station shall be prima facie evidence that the deer was hunted illegally. Each separate deer or part of any deer taken illegally or found in possession shall be considered a separate offense.

(f) Accidental killing by motor vehicle. -- Any person who, while operating a motor vehicle on any highway in the State, accidentally strikes and kills a deer on the highway may have the deer if the person produces visible evidence of collision with the deer to any Natural Resources police officer, State law enforcement officer, or other designated representative of the Secretary. The provisions of this subsection shall be applicable to deer killed by collision with a motor vehicle at any time whether during the open season for killing deer or during the legally closed season.

(g) Hunting deer in waters of the State prohibited. -- A person may not hunt a deer while the deer is taking refuge in or swimming through the waters of the State.

(h) Antlered and antlerless requirements. -- Abrogated.

(i) Variance from established season. -- Upon written request from a federal facility for a variance from the established deer hunting season, the Department shall review the request and may:

   (1) Approve the request;

   (2) Deny the request; or

   (3) Approve the request with conditions.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 66C, § 132A, 196, 197; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 4, § 1; 1974, chs. 82, 139; 1976, ch. 301, § 3; 1978, ch. 97; 1981, ch. 403; 1985, ch. 589; 1988, ch. 724, § 1; 1989, chs. 512, 663, 686; 1990, ch. 6, § 2; ch. 547; 1991, ch. 128; 1998, ch. 763; 1999, ch. 641; 2000, ch. 122; 2001, ch. 516, § 2; 2002, ch. 177, § 2; 2003, chs. 20, 170.