Want to Take Home Roadkill in Wyoming? Game and Fish Says You Need Permission First

The original story by Floyd Whiting for Sheridan Media.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding drivers that you can’t just toss a deer or elk in the back of your truck after hitting it on the highway — at least not without asking first. Recovering road-killed wildlife in Wyoming requires authorization, and the easiest way to get it is through the Wyoming 511 app.

Public Information Specialist Christina Schmidt said the app is simple to download and use, and it even works without cell service once it’s installed. Anyone hoping to salvage an animal has to request approval through the app before collecting it. That authorization applies only to animals killed unintentionally in vehicle collisions and is limited to certain species: deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, wild bison and wild turkey. There are also rules that go along with the privilege, and using the app is part of the requirement, not just a suggestion.

Once the app is open, users will see a “Report Roadkill” button on the home screen. From there, they answer a few questions about the location and the species. If the animal is eligible and in an approved area, the system allows the person to request authorization on the spot. The app then immediately issues a digital certificate confirming permission to pick up the carcass. To complete the process, people need to have — or create — a Game and Fish username and password.

Schmidt noted that anyone who’s authorized to collect roadkill must follow the safety guidelines laid out in state regulations, including how and where it’s safe to pull over and handle the animal. Full details on the rules, along with the complete collection guidelines, are available on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s website.