Massachusetts State Police release statement on what residents are to do if they hit a deer

In the event a deer is killed by a motor vehicle collision, the operator (as long as they are a Massachusetts Resident) may claim and take into their possession the remains for salvage. Upon doing so, the person salvaging the deer must contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

The accident should also be reported to the municipal police department or nearest State Police Barracks for logging purposes. The unprocessed deer must be presented within twenty-four (24) hours for tagging at either a Massachusetts Wildlife office or by the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

If it is to be tagged by the Environmental Police, the person salvaging it will be provided with instructions as to a location and time. If the driver does not wish to claim the animal, it may be released to a passenger in the car provided they are a resident of Massachusetts. This tag shall remain with the deer until there are no more usable parts of the deer.

No part of a salvaged deer shall be sold or bartered. There is no provision in the law that allows a resident from another state to claim a deer struck by a motor vehicle in Massachusetts.

The full law can be found under 321CMR 2.04 at http://bit.ly/2WQ9Kjt