Roadkill Laws in Nebraska: How to Legally and Safely Salvage Wildlife

You’re driving down a Nebraska highway when you spot a deer that’s just been hit by a vehicle. Can you legally take it home? Many drivers face this situation and wonder whether they can salvage the animal for meat.

In Nebraska, residents can legally take possession of roadkill deer, antelope, or elk, but you must notify the Game and Parks Commission within 24 hours and have the animal tagged by a Conservation Officer within 48 hours of notification. The process involves specific steps to ensure you’re following state roadkill salvage laws properly.

Understanding how to handle roadkill correctly means you can fill your freezer with quality meat while staying within legal boundaries. This guide walks you through Nebraska’s regulations, from who gets first choice on a roadkill animal to what you can and cannot do with the meat and other parts.

Is It Legal to Take Roadkill in Nebraska?

Yes, it is legal to take roadkill in Nebraska if you are a state resident. You can legally possess deer, antelope, or elk that have been killed on a roadway by a vehicle.

However, you cannot just pick up any roadkill animal you find. Nebraska has specific rules about which animals you can take and what steps you must follow.

Animals You Can Legally Take:

• Deer
• Antelope
• Elk

If you accidentally hit one of these animals with your vehicle, you get first choice to take it. If you were not involved in the accident, you are fourth in line after public institutions and non-profit organizations.

You can field dress the animal at the scene and take it to your home. But you must notify the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission within 24 hours of picking up the carcass. A Conservation Officer or designated personnel must tag the animal within 48 hours of your notification.

Important Restrictions:

• You cannot possess more than one roadkill carcass at a time
• You cannot sell or trade the meat
• You cannot take any animal that shows evidence of being shot
• You must not process the meat before getting your special salvage permit

You can give away processed meat to others as long as you include a receipt with your permit information. The hide, hair, hooves, bones, horns, and antlers can be sold legally.

How to Claim Roadkill in Nebraska

If you accidentally hit a deer, antelope, or elk with your vehicle in Nebraska, you can take the animal home. You need to follow specific steps to legally salvage roadkill.

You can field dress the animal right away at the accident scene. Then you can move it to your home. You must notify the Game and Parks Commission within 24 hours of picking up the carcass.

Priority Order for Claiming Roadkill:

1. Person involved in the accident
2. Public institutions
3. Non-profit organizations
4. Other individuals

After you report the accident, a Conservation Officer must tag the animal within 48 hours of your notification. The officer will give you a two-part salvage tag that includes your information and details about the animal.

Important Rules:

• You cannot sell or trade the meat from salvaging roadkill
• You can only possess one roadkill carcass at a time
• The carcass cannot show evidence of bullet wounds
• Your salvage tag is valid for 90 days
• You must keep Part 2 of the tag attached to the carcass until you process it

You can give away processed meat if you include a receipt with your name, permit number, and expiration date. The hide, hair, hooves, bones, horns, and antlers can be sold legally. These roadkill salvage rules help Nebraska manage wildlife resources and ensure public safety.

What Animals Can You Salvage in Nebraska

Nebraska law allows you to salvage only specific types of animals that have been killed in vehicle collisions. You can legally take roadkill deer, antelope, or elk if you follow the proper reporting requirements.

Permitted Animals for Salvage:

• Deer
• Antelope
• Elk

These are the only three species you can legally possess after a vehicle accident. The state does not allow you to salvage other game animals or game birds that you find on roadways.

You must be a Nebraska resident to qualify for roadkill salvage permits. If you accidentally hit one of these animals with your vehicle, you get first choice to keep it. Public institutions have second priority, followed by non-profit organizations, and then other individuals.

The law prohibits you from processing or cutting up the animal before getting your special salvage permit. You cannot possess more than one roadkill carcass at a time unless you represent an institution or non-profit organization.

Important restrictions apply to what you can do with salvaged animals:

• You cannot sell or trade any meat from the carcass
• You can give away wrapped or processed meat with proper documentation
• You may sell the hide, hair, hooves, bones, horns, and antlers
• The carcass cannot show evidence of gunshot wounds

You must contact the Game and Parks Commission within 24 hours of picking up the animal. A Conservation Officer must tag your salvage within 48 hours of your notification.

Penalties for Illegal Roadkill Possession in Nebraska

Breaking Nebraska’s roadkill laws can result in serious consequences. If you possess a deer, antelope, or elk without following proper procedures, you face penalties under state game law violations.

The state considers illegal possession or sale of game animals a criminal offense. You cannot sell or trade roadkill meat under any circumstances. Only the hide, hair, hooves, bones, horns, and antlers can be legally sold.

Common violations include:

• Processing the animal before getting a salvage permit
• Possessing more than one roadkill carcass at a time
• Failing to notify Game and Parks Commission within 24 hours
• Not getting the carcass tagged within 48 hours of notification
• Possessing an animal that shows evidence of being shot

You risk violating Nebraska’s roadkill regulations if you don’t follow the proper notification and tagging process. Conservation officers enforce these rules strictly.

Additional prohibited actions:

• Taking possession without being first choice (the person involved in the accident)
• Giving away processed meat without proper documentation
• Keeping a carcass beyond the 90-day permit expiration

The penalties vary based on the specific violation. Game law offenses typically result in fines, possible confiscation of the animal, and potential loss of hunting privileges. Repeat offenders face steeper consequences. You should always contact the Game and Parks Commission immediately after an accident to avoid legal problems.