Nonresident Deer Licenses

Nonresidents may purchase either a $206 deer license (licenses are season-specific and allow the harvest of one (1) deer) or a $256 season-specific combination deer license that allows them to harvest one (1) antlered and one (1) antlerless deer. These licenses are valid on both public and private lands. Separate licenses exist for archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons.

If a nonresident purchases one (1) of these $256 season-specific combination licenses, they may also purchase an additional antlerless only deer license for $51. This license is only valid for the season for which it was purchased and it is valid only on private lands not managed by the Department. For example, if a hunter purchases a $256 primitive firearms combination deer license, he or she is eligible to purchase an additional antlerless primitive firearms deer license for $51.

Licenses are not transferable between seasons and none are valid during the holiday antlerless deer gun season, which requires a $206 nonresident holiday antlerless deer gun license.

Combined Season Limit

The combined season limit for deer archery, youth deer gun, deer muzzleloader and deer gun seasons is no more than six (6) deer per individual. This limit may include no more than two (2) antlered deer.

Deer taken by hunters participating in holiday antlerless deer gun season or controlled hunts are not included in the hunter’s combined season limit.

Deer taken during Jan. 1 - 15, 2011, count toward the 2010 bag limit.

Deer hunters using a firearm must conspicuously wear both a head covering and an outer garment above the waistline both consisting of hunter orange color totaling at least 400 square inches. Camouflage hunter orange is legal.

Public Lands

Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons. Consult public lands section.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset.

Antlered Deer Definition

Any deer, regardless of sex, with at least three (3) inches of antler length above the natural hairline on either side.

White Deer

It is unlawful to kill a white deer or piebald deer without specific written permission from the Department Director.

Field Tagging

Upon harvesting a deer, all hunters, including lifetime license holders, must immediately attach their name, license number, and date and time of harvest securely to the carcass. The attached item can be anything, as long as it contains the required information. This information must remain attached to the carcass until it is checked.

In addition, all annual license holders are required to complete the "Record of Game" section on the license form.

Checking

All deer must be checked at the nearest open hunter check station, with an authorized Department employee or online at wildlifedepartment.com within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area.

Once checked, the deer will be issued a carcass tag or an online confirmation number. This tag or number must remain with the carcass to its final destination or through processing and/or storage at commercial processing or storage facilities.

Carcasses may be checked in quartered with the sex organs naturally attached and head accompanying the carcass.

More Than One Method of Take in the Field

Hunters are allowed to carry both archery equipment and a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season provided they have the appropriate licenses and follow other muzzleloader season regulations.

Hunters also are allowed to carry both archery equipment and legal firearms during any modern gun season, again provided they have the appropriate licenses and follow other regulations to participate in those seasons.

Tracking Devices

Telemetric radio tracking devices for deer hunting are legal. However, thermal tracking devices are illegal.

Carcass Disposal

No person may dump the carcass of any dead animal in any well, spring, pond, or stream of water or leave it within 1/4 mile of any occupied dwelling or public highway without burying the carcass in an appropriate manner where it is not liable to become exposed through erosion of the soil or where such land is subject to overflow.