Driving through Wisconsin’s scenic roads means sharing the highway with deer, bears, and other wildlife. Vehicle collisions with animals happen frequently, especially during October and November when deer are most active. When you encounter a dead animal on the road, you might wonder if you can legally take it home.
In Wisconsin, it is legal to collect roadkill, including deer, bear, and turkey, but you must register the animal with the state before taking possession. The driver who hit the animal gets first priority to claim it. If they don’t want it, any other person at the scene can request the carcass.
Wisconsin motorists need to understand the proper procedures for claiming roadkill to avoid legal trouble. The rules vary depending on what type of animal you find. This guide will walk you through Wisconsin’s roadkill collection laws, explain the registration process, and clarify which animals you can legally salvage from the roadside.
Is It Legal to Take Roadkill in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can legally claim a deer, bear, or turkey killed by a vehicle in Wisconsin. The driver who hits the animal has first priority to take the carcass. If the driver doesn’t want it, any other person at the scene can request possession.
Registration Requirements
You must register the animal before taking it from the scene. You have two options:
- Online registration – Quick and easy with instant confirmation
- Phone registration – Call the DNR at 608-267-7691
Once you complete registration, you can legally possess and transport the vehicle-killed deer or turkey without a hunting tag. However, you must follow chronic wasting disease transportation rules for dead deer.
Bear and Other Animals
For car-killed black bears, you need to call 608-267-7691 to obtain an official tag. You cannot simply register online like you can with deer.
Small game animals have different rules. You can only take possession if you hold the proper hunting or trapping license for that species and it’s during open season. This doesn’t apply to protected animals like fishers, otters, bobcats, wolves, or endangered species.
Why Registration Matters
The registration process helps Wisconsin track deer-vehicle crashes and manage wildlife populations. You’ll need a DNR customer ID number to complete registration. You can find this number on your hunting license or create one online if you don’t have one yet.
How to Claim Roadkill in Wisconsin
You can legally claim a vehicle-killed deer, bear, or turkey in Wisconsin. The driver who hits the animal gets first priority to take the carcass.
If the driver doesn’t want it, anyone else at the scene can claim it.
Registration Requirements
You must register your vehicle-killed deer or turkey before you take it from the scene. You need a DNR customer ID number to complete the registration process.
Your DNR customer ID appears on hunting or fishing licenses, boat registrations, or ATV paperwork. You can find this nine-digit number or create one online if you don’t have one yet.
How to Register
You have two options for registration:
- Online: Register through the state’s online system and print or email your confirmation
- By phone: Call the DNR law enforcement non-emergency number at 608-267-7691
For vehicle-killed bears, you must call the DNR law enforcement non-emergency line at 608-267-7691 to get a tag. Bears require different handling than deer or turkey.
After Registration
Once you complete registration, you can legally possess and transport the animal. You don’t need a harvest authorization or tag for deer and turkey after registration.
Keep in mind that deer must follow chronic wasting disease transportation rules when you move them.
Reporting Dead Animals
If you need a dead deer removed from the roadway but don’t want to keep it, contact your county highway departments or the sheriff’s non-emergency line. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation coordinates removal on state highways through local county services.
What Animals Can You Salvage in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law allows you to salvage deer, bear, or turkey killed by vehicles. These are the primary species available for roadkill collection in the state.
Large Game Animals
You can claim these animals if they are accidentally killed by a motor vehicle:
- Deer – The most common roadkill in Wisconsin
- Bear – Requires calling the Wisconsin DNR for a special tag
- Turkey – Must be registered before removal
The driver involved in deer-vehicle collisions has first rights to the carcass. If they don’t want it, any other person at the scene can claim it.
Small Game and Other Species
Small game animals can be salvaged without obtaining a tag if you meet specific requirements. You must have a valid hunting or trapping license for that animal type. The collection must occur during the open season for that species.
Prohibited Animals
You cannot legally salvage several protected species. Fish, otters, bobcats, wolves, and migratory birds are off-limits. Any endangered or threatened species also cannot be collected.
Important Safety Rules
All vehicle-killed deer must follow chronic wasting disease transportation rules set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This disease affects deer and requires careful handling to prevent spread.
Wisconsin experiences more than 17,000 deer crashes annually. Most happen during October and November when deer are breeding. These accidents occur most frequently during early morning and evening hours.
Penalties for Illegal Roadkill Possession in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law requires you to register any vehicle-killed deer, bear, or turkey with the DNR before taking possession. If you fail to follow proper roadkill registration procedures, you could face serious consequences.
Taking a deer, bear, or turkey carcass without proper registration is treated as illegal possession of wildlife. DNR law enforcement officers patrol roads and investigate wildlife violations throughout the state. They have the authority to stop vehicles and check for proper documentation.
Potential penalties include:
- Fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars
- Loss of hunting and fishing privileges
- Confiscation of the animal carcass
- Criminal charges for more serious violations
The severity of penalties depends on the type of animal and circumstances of possession. Bears typically carry higher penalties than deer due to their protected status. Repeat offenders face increased fines and longer suspensions of hunting privileges.
You must also follow chronic wasting disease transportation rules when moving deer carcasses. Violating these health regulations can result in additional fines. DNR law enforcement takes these violations seriously because they help prevent disease spread.
If you take roadkill without the driver’s permission, you’re essentially stealing their legal right to the carcass. This adds another layer of potential charges. Always contact DNR law enforcement at 608-267-7691 if you have questions about whether your situation requires registration.
