Discovery of dead wild animals / wildlife accident

Information on the procedure for finding dead game and accidental game

Picture: lassedesignen / Fotolia

Game refers to animals living in the wild that are subject to hunting rights. This includes all larger animals such as roe deer, wild boar, deer and wolves as well as numerous bird species such as mallards and buzzards.

When an injured or dead wild animal is found, there is often confusion about how to handle the animals. The Free State of Saxony provides information on this:

What should be done if dead game or accidental game is found?

Game is part of nature. In principle, game carcasses remain in the wild. Under no circumstances may they be touched, taken away or transported. However, larger game carcasses on roadsides or in built-up areas can be a disturbance to public order. Anyone who finds dead game should

inform the local person authorised to hunt (usually the leaseholder or owner of the hunting ground). If this person is not known or cannot be reached
the locally responsible district office or the municipal administration of the district-free city as the lower hunting and veterinary authority (telephone: 115) or
the nearest police station (telephone: 110) can be informed.

Who is authorised to appropriate dead game?

In principle, the right to appropriate game belongs to the person authorised to hunt. However, he is not obliged to appropriate the game.

What should I do if game is killed or hit in a road accident?

Every person involved in an accident is obliged to keep traffic safe (§ 34 Para. 1 No. 2 StVO) and to initiate assistance measures in the event of personal injury. The safety obligations include switching on the hazard warning lights, putting on high-visibility waistcoats and setting up a warning triangle.

Keep your distance from wild animals involved in accidents because they may still be alive or sick. In exceptional cases, dead game can be removed from the carriageway to keep traffic safe. Skin contact must be avoided by wearing gloves or other suitable protective measures.

Accidental game may not be taken away. The driver of a vehicle must report an accident involving hoofed game (wild boar, roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, mouflon) to the police station.