It’s now legal to collect roadkill from select Wyoming roadways. Not every species of wildlife is on the menu and there are several rules to follow, but the Game and Fish Department has made it easy to get authorization to salvage deer, elk, antelope, moose, wild bison or wild turkey carcasses following unintentional vehicle collisions. Permission to harvest wildlife can be received through the Wyoming 511 app, even without cell service. The Wyoming Department of Transportation app is available on both Android and Apple devices.

“We’re grateful to be able to work with WYDOT to integrate the roadkill collection authorization into their already well-known and highly-utilized 511 app that many are already familiar with and have installed on their devices,” said Brian Nesvik, Game and Fish director.

Road and location data already existing within the 511 app already made it a “natural fit,” the department said in a press release last week. It also will help the state emphasize safety.

“I think this tool will be a great asset to road users wanting to collect roadkill on our highways, allowing them to do so in a manner that is as safe and efficient as possible,” said WYDOT Director Luke Reiner.

Collecting carcasses from extremely busy roadways, such as Interstates 25, 80 and 90, as well as in active construction areas, is prohibited. National parks are also out of bounds. Other rules outline where to park for collection and the use of emergency flashers, as well as banning field dressing on the roadway.

“Safety is our main priority with any roadkill collection,” said Rick King, chief of the Game and Fish’s wildlife division. “Anyone who picks up roadkill should operate with a safety mindset, remain cautious on the roadway and follow all guidelines.”

Clearing roadkill from the highway and ditches has several benefits. Many raptors and predators are hit by vehicles while scavenging meat. Eagles are common victims.

Limiting the spread of disease is another concern, the department reports.

“Preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease is the foundation for requirements such as taking the whole animal — both edible and inedible portions —  and following all carcass transport and disposal procedures — same as a hunter,” the release said.

“The Game and Fish will provide a [CWD] test upon request, but is not mandatory,” said Tara Hodges, information and education specialist for the department in Cody.

You will need to bring the head or at least the lymph nodes “if you know how to properly remove them” to a regional Game and Fish headquarters to have the test completed, Hodges said.

Picking a good carcass

What makes a carcass a good candidate to collect? While some will be happy to harvest roadkill with antlers and pelts, others are looking for meat. Speed is a key, especially in warmer months. Just like in harvesting game while hunting, cooling the animal quickly is important to preserving quality meat. On a warm day, the less time between the animal’s death and recovery, the less the meat will degrade in heat, said Mike Hanback for Realtree.com.

While you can’t field dress the animal by the road, it’s important to get it to a place to remove internal organs, draining blood from the cavity and propping it open to get the cooling process started. Depending on the temperature, you can have as much as 12 hours to save the meat, but much less time if temperatures are about 50 degrees.

“If you have a long drive home with a field-dressed deer carcass, buy a few 10-pound bags of ice and stuff them tight inside the body cavity to help the cool-down process,” Hanback advises.

Skinning and quartering the animal can also speed the cooling, he said.

To begin the authorization process, download the Wyoming 511 app from your device’s respective app store.

“For those who have the Wyoming 511 already on their phone, the update might require users to reinstall the app for the new features,” Game and Fish said.

To request authorization through Wyoming 511, look for the “Report Roadkill” button on the app’s homescreen. Following a series of questions about the carcass, if the species is available for collection in an approved location, the user can request authorization. The app immediately sends a certificate upon completing the questionnaire. Applicants must currently have or create a username and password with the Game and Fish to gain authorization.

The department will review all applications submitted and can follow up with applicants to confirm the legitimacy of collection requests. The department reminds anyone collecting roadkill that under the new roadkill collection laws, the public is not authorized to euthanize an injured animal and the meat cannot be donated to nonprofit organizations.

Full collection guidelines and the regulation are available at wgfd.wyo.gov/Permits/Roadkill-Information, along with an authorization form for people without smartphones.