State Roadkill Information
The utilization of roadkill for consumption or artistic purposes is subject to state-specific laws and regulations. Each state's Department of Natural Resources establishes these guidelines, which vary based on factors such as local weather conditions, animal populations, and species. Specific animal parts may be restricted from use in art, and proper disposal of carcasses is universally mandated. The Roadkill Art App provides comprehensive access to all state-required roadkill laws and regulations.
Idaho Law Permits Selling Roadkill Art
Idaho Roadkill Laws for Animal Art
In Idaho you can purchase or sell wildlife parts, but not the meat of big game, upland game, up birds or furbearer's that are lawfully hunted or trapped that have been killed in vehicle-collisions. Bighorn sheep can't be purchased, bartered, or sold. The Idaho animal artist or taxidermist when finding roadkill can consume the meat but never sell the meat. The fur and bones can be used for art and legally sold in Idaho. In Idaho, if someone legally salvages a roadkilled deer for taxidermy, the remaining carcass must be disposed of in a lawful sanitary manner once the usable parts are removed. Contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Rhode Islands New Roadkill Salvage Program
Rhode Island Finds Value in Roadkill
Rhode Island accepting roadkill for sustainability has a new roadkill salvage program already issuing 100 salvage permits. Eligible species include white-tailed deer, turkeys, beavers, coyotes, muskrats, pheasants, squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. Permits ae free and must be obtained within 24 hours of collecting the wildlife. https://www.facebook.com/RIFishwildlife
California Hunter's can Possess a Jack Rabbit
California law makes the 'Jack Rabbit Roadkill' Illegal
It is illegal to collect, possess, or transport roadkill jackrabbits in California, making their use for taxidermy unlawful. California law currently prohibits the collection and possession of dead wildlife, including roadkill, without specific authorization. To legally have a jackrabbit taxidermied in California, the animal must be taken legally during its open season and possession limits, as there are no bag limits for jackrabbits. The taxidermist must maintain records for one year, including the owner's information and details of the specimen, and must also be able to produce the specimen for inspection by law enforcement. Legal take for CA: The jackrabbit must be taken legally. In California, jackrabbits can be taken year-round with no bag or possession limits.
In CA it's legal to hunt a jack rabbit and mount it, it's illegal to pick up jack rabbit roadkill and mount it.
Guide to US State Roadkill Laws
This comprehensive guide compiles roadkill regulations and laws for all 50 US states, providing essential information for anyone interested in legally retrieving roadkill. Its vital to know regulations before taking possession of roadkill. Roadkill Art prepared the resource to help app Members legally utilize roadkill.
Rhode Islands Salvage Policy
Rhode Island has no Limit how much Roadkill can be taken by an Individual Annually.
The Rhode Island roadkill salvage policy, governed by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), actually allows for the salvage of 14 specific species. There is no annual limit on the number of animals a person can salvage, a free permit is required for each individual animal collected.
The policy, which went into effect on March 25, 2025, requires the public to obtain a Wildlife Roadkill Salvage (WRS) Permit within 24 hours of collecting an animal killed in a vehicle collision. Reporting can be done online or by phone (401-789-0281)
14 Eligible Species: White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, Pheasant, Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Rabbit, Beaver, Squirrel, Muskrat, Raccoon, Fisher, Woodchuck and
Mute Swan.
Meat from roadkill must be used for consumption (human or pet) and cannot be sold or donated to retail facilities. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov
Who can take roadkill in Alaska?
The Alaska new Roadkill Salvage Program allows eligible organizations and groups to salvage animals from a roadkill incident in their areas after being notified by Troopers or other law enforcement agencies. Registered participants must respond within 30 minutes of notification and remove the entire animal from the roadway, then the participant can process the animal for consumption.
Alaska salvage teams and nonprofits can register at: https://dps.alaska.gov/AWT/Roadkill.
Requested information can now be easily submitted online and participants will be quickly notified if a salvageable animal is available in their area. Every year hundreds of moose and other animals are unfortunately killed on Alaska’s roadways; with the new Roadkill Salvage Program, Alaska will keep their roadways clean and help supply meat to Alaskans soup kitchens. Previously Alaskan law required all roadkill go to soup kitchens, the roadkill door has now opened to all Alaskan citizens.
Wisconsin DNR Works with Public Input Managing Deer
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites public input for deer management. Each Deer Management Unit, (hunting areas) has a Citizen Deer Advisory Council, to provide recommendations.
Recommendations are based on deer herd metrics, management goals and public feedback.This process is done annually to allow for adjustments to the previous year’s deer harvest, winter severity and other factors. Councils in the Northern and Central Forest Deer Management zones will make recommendations for new habitat-based management units. Boundaries in the Northern Forest Zone were changed from county lines to habitat-based units. Modifications have also been made to metro subunits in the southeaste.
Map of the deer units. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/
Nebraska Landfill disposal is a legal option in urban areas
To properly dispose of a deer carcass in Omaha, one must follow the regulations per the Nebraska Revised Statute 54-2946. The Sheriff may get involved in the process of keeping roads free of derbies and hazards. Nebraskans commonly see remains of deer on the roads. Looking at the remains of roadkill deer may be disgusting, but to some it's inspiration and endless possibilities. Lee Emma Running an independent artist has turned roadkill into master pieces, creating fascinating sculptures with roadkill animal bones and skins. In her sculptures are ribs and other deer bones carefully polished. Running says she has sufficient skeletons to choose from; easily finding bones on the side of roads. From there, she sterilizes the bones through heat and peroxide, and the artmaking begins.
The sculpture pictured is titled: Acts of Transformation. This entire white-tail deer hide is stretched over a handmade paper cast of Running's body. From inside the flayed chest of the hide, an 8-foot sheet of lacy handmade paper pulp gilded with white gold cascades to the floor.
For Omaha/Nebraska-specific disposal guidance, the most relevant authorities would be:
- Local Omaha public works or solid waste departments.
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Do Your State Roads Produce Black Bear Roadkill?
Do You Know Your States Legality for Taking Black Bear Roadkill?
Few states allow public pickup of a road-killed black bear, and only with reporting, a permit, or law-enforcement authorization. Bears are managed big-game species, so they’re treated more strictly than deer. Check the map for your states Black Bear Roadkill Laws.
Increases in Deer Movement Twice a Year
Roadkill Increases in May & June due to Doe Movement
High roadkill season, the rut, starts in September continuing through December in most US states. Roadkill slows down after this time, but increases in spring due to does in movement looking for a place to give birth. A white-tailed deers gestation period is seven months, many fawn are born late spring, May and June.
Reporting live deer sitings in the Roadkill Art App helps avoid a roadkill incident with pregnant doe and young fawn. Deer frequent and cross roads in same locations. Reporting live animals in the app is the same process as reporting roadkill. When rating choose, "Its NOT roadkill he is alive near the road, be careful not to hit him." By marking animal crossing locations, it helps keep pregnant does and fawn safe. May and June are highs for collisions, deer in May and elk in June.