Blind Sow may be technically correct. However, I participated in a meeting in the Capitol Building February 19, 2001. The topic of the meeting was this very subject. It was called by the Governors office to address this issue. In attendance besides myself were Larry Wilson Deputy director of the IDNR, Lowell Joslin, Head of the enforcement division of the IDNR, Randy Edwards No 2 in the enforcement division IDNR several legislators and staff representatives of the Governor.
After good discussion an agreement was reached regarding found dead deer. The short version is that found dead deer were to be investigated as to cause of death even in suspicious cases should be seized pending making a case if ANY illegal activity was provable. In the event no illegal activity is provable the antlers are to be the property of the person who found them.
I have a letter from Larry Wilson dated May 30, 2001 that says that is to be the departments policy. Copies of this letter are available to interested parties.
I believe the legislators will be extremely disappointed to learn that the policy has not yet been implemented. I was informed in September that the policy was to be finalized in a first of October staff meeting. It is now nearly December and Blind Sow informs us that it has not yet happened.
I also have a copy of a letter dated July 16, 1992 in which Allen Faris directs his officers to report antlers in field officers possession to their supervisors for inventory purposes.Copies of this letter are also available upon request This was in response to antlers collected in the line of duty being disposed of by certain officers. I do not believe that is happening anymore but I know of at least two cases of confiscated antlers last year not being included in reports to Des Moines.
Blind Sow does a great job providing information to Iowawhitetail.com I was not aware that the rule had not been IMPLEMENTED. I was told by very highly placed people in the department that it would be and it sems to me that this is way to long to procrastinate.I or legislators will find out why.