Roadkill permits to be available online Tuesday

Permits to salvage deer, elk, antelope or moose killed in vehicular collisions will be available online beginning Tuesday, according to a news release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

A new law that allows the salvage of road-killed wildlife for food became effective in October. The permit system allows people to pick up road-killed wildlife. 

The permit must be completed within 24 hours of salvage. Only deer, elk, antelope or moose killed in vehicular collisions can be salvaged.

If a person is involved in a vehicle-animal collision, the Montana Highway Patrol and some other law enforcement officers responding to the collision will have the ability to process a permit on site. 

If not, people must apply for permits online.

A person can salvage an animal that he or she did not hit. Anyone who salvages a road-killed deer, elk, antelope or moose will be required to remove the entire animal — parts or entrails cannot be left on site. 

The salvaged animal must be used for personal consumption and cannot be donated to others or used for bait or pet food.

A law enforcement officer may require inspection of the animal, parts, meat and may request the permittee take the officer to the spot where the animal was picked up.

For more information or to obtain a salvage permit, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Fish & Wildlife,” and then click “Licenses and Permits.”