Road-kill salvage permits now available

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have made permits to salvage deer, elk, antelope or moose killed in vehicular collisions available online beginning Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Swift public reaction to the new law surprised FWP officials, with 11 permits issued within the first two days in seven counties for two elk, one mule deer and eight white-tailed deer.

Online permits must be completed within 24 hours of salvage. Montana Highway Patrol troopers or other law enforcement officers responding to a collision can process a salvage permit on site.

To obtain a permit, one must first agree to an affirmation to the conditions for the salvage and possession of vehicle-killed wildlife. A law enforcement officer may require inspection of the animal, parts or meat and may request the permittee take the officer to the site where the animal was picked up.

Only deer, elk, antelope or moose killed in vehicular collisions can be salvaged. People may salvage animals that someone else’s vehicle hit.

Anyone salvaging a road-killed deer, elk, antelope or moose must remove the entire animal from where it is found. Parts or viscera cannot be left on site.

The salvaged animal must be used for one’s own consumption and cannot be donated to others or used for bait or pet food.

Road kill salvage permits are not valid within the Flathead Indian Reservation, and road-killed animals on the reservation can’t be picked up using this salvage permit.

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