Next time you hit a deer while driving, you could legally harvest the animal for meat, if you like. That's because the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved a new law that gives permission each time an individual wants to collect a carcass along the road.
But Sara DiRienzo, public information officer with Game and Fish, said there are stipulations. You must request to collect through the Wyoming Department of Transportation's 511 App.
"Once you receive permission, then you're free to collect the carcass," she said. "But you have to have permission before you can pick up the roadkill. That app should be functional offline."
Only wild bison, deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and wild turkey can be harvested. DiRienzo said there are other caveats as well.
"It's really specific. You can't collect on interstates, you also have to avoid active construction sites and national parks within Wyoming," said DiRienzo. "And of course, take that entire carcass because we don't want people field dressing on the side of the road."
The commission also made sure that only animals killed by accident can be harvested. In addition, the meat cannot be donated to nonprofits. About 6,000 big animals are hit on Wyoming's roadways annually. Numerous other states already can harvest roadkill. The new law will go into effect sometime after the New Year.
