23:4-23. Mutilating game prohibited; deer

No person in this State shall remove the skin or feathers, or in any way mutilate the body of a wild bird or animal killed, caught or taken while hunting, for the purpose of concealing its identity or sex, under a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00). A person's possession of a wild bird or animal or part thereof that has been plucked, skinned or mutilated in the woods, fields, or meadows or on the waters of this State shall be prima facie evidence that he has violated this section.

The removal of the entrails of a deer shall not be considered a violation of this section, but the carcass shall not be otherwise mutilated, cut up or divided until the Division of Fish and Game or one of its members or a fish and game warden has received notification or report of the killing from the person who killed it, together with all information as required. Any person having any part or portion of a deer in his or her possession, or under his control, or in any room, house, tent, camp, or building of any description, or in any conveyance while in the woods or fields or on the roads or highways during the open season for the killing of deer and during the day next following the last day of such open season shall be required to furnish satisfactory proof that the same came from a legally killed deer that has been properly reported and failing to do so shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Amended by L.1938, c. 304, p. 698, s. 1; L.1946, c. 48, p. 106, s. 1, eff. April 4, 1946.