Correction, the people’s deer. We have no king and to state that there is some other entity that has “ownership” of game or fish s silly at best (other than the God of Providence and His creation).
We hunters that buy licenses and equipment pay directly for the management of animals and fish, therefore taking them outside of the season/limits and w/o license is theft from all of us.
Now, certainly some folks hunt for survival, and I have no issue with that ( I stock my freezer and pantry with all sorts of wild foods, in season and by permit), however, living n society has costs, and the cost of licenses and seasons is that reasonable cost.
It depends on the state. In some states, farmers or property owners have the right to kill out of season any animal eating or ruining their crops.
I believe such laws are reasonable and just. I also believe in obeying hunting laws, but a farmer has the right to protect his livelihood. THAT goes beyond “hunting”.
And image being attacked by a bear or mountain lion, and killing it in self defense (that no one argues wasn’t) and then being charged with illegal hunting. Does not compute.
I intentionally used the term “King’s deer” as the history of out game laws can trace its roots to English Common law where the “state” was the King.