If You Hit a Deer in Arkansas is it Legal to Take the Antlers?

As many Americans and Arkansans take to the road this Thanksgiving holiday weekend travelers should be cautious of deer on the roads and highways.

This year there seems to be a lot of deer on the roads more than usual and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is urging everyone who will be traveling over the next few days to stay alert of the deer crossing the road or standing in the roadways. The reason there are so many deer is that this is their prime mating season as they venture out of the woods looking for a mate.

The problem with all this is that you could hit a deer or they could run out in front of your car causing severe damage to your vehicle and depending on the severity could cost you your life. Everything from a smashed headlight, to front grills, bumpers, and mirrors are just a few of the damage that deer can do. Depending on how fast you were going and how big the deer was, it could even total your car completely. Not a great way to spend the holiday in the hospital or stranded on the side of the road.

The best thing you can do to avoid a major accident is to slow down if you can to hopefully avoid the collision. Of course, swerving to miss one is our first instinct but sometimes that could lead to a more serious wreck with another vehicle or to losing control and going off the road.

If you do hit a deer, you must report it to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and if the accident is really bad call the police or 911.

By the way, if you are wondering can you take the dead deer home for deer meat?

Arkansas is one of 20 states that will allow you to do that but there are some requirements furthermore in some states, you may have to have a permit. Keep in mind though, if there is too much damage done to the inside of the deer, it may not be safe to eat the meat.

Deer Antlers

What you are not allowed to do is remove the antlers off the dead deer, according to the AGFC, you have to have the deer tagged and checked, otherwise it's not legal.

15.03 ANTLER REQUIREMENTS 04-98 It is unlawful to remove the antlers from the carcass of a buck deer prior to checking the deer using an official wildlife check method. PENALTY: Class 1

Deer hunting season continues in Arkansas through Dec. 11. 2022.