You’re driving down a California highway when you spot a deer that’s been hit by a car. Can you legally take it home? Many drivers wonder about this after California passed Senate Bill 395 in 2019, also known as the Wildlife Traffic Safety Act.
While the law allows you to collect certain types of roadkill for personal use, you must first obtain a free permit through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online system.
Wildlife-vehicle collisions happen frequently across California roads. These incidents create both a safety concern and a waste of potential resources. The state developed this roadkill salvage program to address both issues while tracking important data about where and when these collisions occur.
Understanding California’s roadkill laws helps you stay legal while making use of this resource. You’ll learn which animals you can take, how to properly claim them, what safety steps to follow, and what penalties you might face if you don’t follow the rules. The process involves specific requirements about timing, location, and reporting that every collector needs to know.
Is It Legal to Take Roadkill in California?
Yes, it is legal to take roadkill in California, but only under specific conditions. Senate Bill 395 became law in 2019 and allows you to collect certain types of roadkill for personal use.
Permitted Animals
You can only collect these specific species:
- Deer
- Elk
- Pronghorn antelope
- Wild pigs
Required Steps
Before you collect any roadkill, you must obtain a free permit through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online reporting system. This permit system tracks roadkill collection across the state and helps wildlife officials manage animal populations.
Collection Rules
You can only collect roadkill from roads with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or less. This restriction exists to protect your safety while collecting the animal. You must collect the animal within 24 hours of its death to ensure the meat remains safe to eat.
Important Timing Note
While the California Fish and Game Commission approved the law in 2019, the permit system took time to implement. Many people received citations in 2020 and 2021 for collecting roadkill before the system was fully operational.
Enforcement
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife enforces these rules through regular patrols. If you collect roadkill without a proper permit or take unauthorized species, you face fines similar to other wildlife violations. Wardens conduct spot checks to verify permits and ensure compliance with SB 395.
How to Claim Roadkill in California
California allows you to claim roadkill through the Roadkill Salvage Pilot Program, but you must follow specific steps before taking any animal. The program is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and only covers certain areas of the state.
Required Steps to Claim Roadkill:
- Report immediately – You must contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as soon as you find the animal
- Request a wildlife salvage permit – You cannot take possession without this permit
- Wait for approval – Do not touch or move the animal until you receive authorization
- Follow permit conditions – Your wildlife salvage permit includes specific instructions you must follow
The program primarily covers deer species. You need to provide details about the location, time, and condition of the animal when reporting. This information goes into a roadkill reporting database that helps wildlife officials track collision patterns.
Important Restrictions:
- Only for personal consumption – selling or trading meat is illegal
- Geographic limits – the program only operates in specific pilot counties
- Time limits – permits typically expire within 24 to 48 hours
- No fee required – obtaining a wildlife salvage permit is free
You must handle and process the animal properly once you receive your permit. Taking roadkill without following California’s collection rules and penalties can result in fines and confiscation. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website to confirm your county participates in the program before attempting to claim any roadkill.
What Animals Can You Salvage in California
California’s roadkill salvage law limits which animals you can legally collect. You can only take four specific types of wild game animals under the pilot program.
Legal Animals for Salvage:
- Deer – All deer species accidentally killed by vehicles
- Elk – Any elk struck on California roadways
- Pronghorn antelope – These animals when hit by vehicles
- Wild pig – Both feral and wild pigs killed in collisions
The law focuses specifically on these animals because they represent common wild game meat sources and are already legally hunted in California. You must have a wildlife salvage permit before collecting any of these animals.
Animals You Cannot Salvage:
You cannot take endangered species, fully protected species, or migratory birds like waterfowl. Other nongame wildlife species are also off-limits. The law does not allow you to collect smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, or raccoons.
The restriction to these four species helps wildlife officials prevent poaching and ensure public safety. These larger animals provide substantial edible portions while being easier to track through the permit system.
You can salvage wild game meat whether you accidentally hit the animal yourself or find it already dead on the roadway. Either situation requires you to obtain a permit through the online portal before taking the animal. The permit system tracks the location, species, date, and other details about each salvaged animal.
Penalties for Illegal Roadkill Possession in California
If you collect roadkill without following the proper rules, you can face legal consequences. California’s roadkill law requires specific permits and procedures for legal collection.
Breaking these rules is typically classified as an infraction. You could receive monetary fines similar to other minor wildlife violations. The penalties can be serious if you ignore the permit requirements.
Before the 2019 law, the consequences were much harsher. Under previous regulations, unlawful possession of wildlife could result in a $6,000 fine and six months in jail. While current penalties are less severe, they still matter.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife enforces these rules through several methods:
- Game warden patrols – Officers conduct routine checks along roadways
- Permit verification – Wardens check if collectors have proper documentation
- Public reporting – Citizens can report violations they witness
- Spot checks – Random inspections of people collecting roadkill
You must obtain your permit before collecting any roadkill. The animal must be one of the allowed species: deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, or wild pig. You also need to collect within 24 hours of the animal’s death.
If a game warden stops you, they will ask for your permit and collection details. Not having proper documentation leads to citations. You should always carry proof of your permit when collecting or transporting roadkill to avoid penalties.
