Residents can now legally salvage elk and deer struck by vehicles in Oregon. The new law went into effect on January 1, 2019. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife offers free permits here.
Below are a few of the key regulations to follow to legally salvage a roadkilled deer or elk:
- The free online permit application must be submitted within 24 hours of salvaging a deer or elk. (Note that completing an online permit is not allowed until the animal is actually salvaged as specific information about location, date and time of salvage is required.)
- Only deer and elk accidently struck by a vehicle may be salvaged and for human consumption of the meat only. Intentionally hitting a deer or elk remains unlawful.
- The entire carcass of the animal including gut piles must be removed from the road and road right of way during the salvage.
- Any person (not just the driver who struck the animal) may salvage a deer or elk killed by a vehicle.
- Only the driver of the vehicle that struck the animal may salvage an animal in cases where a deer or elk is injured and then humanely dispatched to alleviate suffering; law enforcement must also be immediately notified as required by state Statute (ORS 498.016).
- Antlers and head of all salvaged animals must be surrendered to an ODFW office within five business days of taking possession of the carcass
- Sale of any part of the salvaged animal is prohibited, but transfer to another person will be allowed with a written record similar to transferring game meat.
The new rules apply only to deer and elk. It remains unlawful to salvage other game mammals including pronghorn antelope, bears and cougars. Go here for more information.