Property or prized catch? Strange sight during deer hunting season in the Show Me State

DE SOTO, Mo. (TND) — Folks in Missouri are taking advantage of hunting season and the state’s Department of Conservation has information on permits and harvesting, along with photos no animal lover would want to see.

But in the midst of deer archery season, turkey archery season, and dove hunting season — which are all going on right now — the department got its hands on an unusual picture of a deer with the letters "PET" apparently painted on it, and what looks like a collar around its neck.

It seems somebody was keeping — or trying to keep — the deer as a pet.

It happened in a rural area less than an hour south of St. Louis, and somebody got close enough to paint the letters and attach the collar on the deer, despite its antlers.

Now, the department is reminding people, “Wild animals should not be considered pets, and particularly deer should not be moved from their habitat as MDC works on Chronic Wasting Disease.”

It also said wild deer should be left alone.