Every year around 6,000 big game animals are killed on Wyoming’s roads and highways. For decades these animals were left to waste along interstates and back roads until state crews removed them. That changed when Wyoming joined over 30 other states in allowing residents to collect these animals.
Wyoming law now permits residents to legally collect roadkill from public roads and highways, but you must obtain authorization through the Wyoming 511 app or Game and Fish desktop application before taking any animal. You cannot simply load up a deer or elk you find alongside the road without following proper procedures. Breaking these rules can result in penalties for illegal wildlife possession.
Understanding roadkill collection regulations helps you stay legal while reducing waste on Wyoming roadways. The process involves knowing which species you can collect, how to properly report and claim an animal, and what safety guidelines to follow. Whether you accidentally hit wildlife on Interstate 25 or discover an animal along a rural highway, knowing the rules protects you from fines and ensures you handle roadkill safely.
Is It Legal to Take Roadkill in Wyoming?
Yes, it is legal to collect roadkill in Wyoming. Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill in 2022 that allows residents to take home dead animals they find on public roads and highways.
You cannot just pick up any roadkill you find. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department requires you to get authorization first. This rule helps prevent people from illegally hunting animals or intentionally hitting wildlife.
How to Get Authorization:
- Download the Wyoming 511 app on your phone
- Click the “Report Roadkill” button on the home screen
- Answer questions about the animal’s location and condition
- Wait for approval through the app
The Wyoming Department of Transportation worked with WGFD to create these regulations. The partnership ensures both agencies can track roadkill collection while keeping roads safe.
Important Rules to Follow:
You must get permission before taking any animal. The wildlife division allows collection only for approved species in approved locations.
You cannot finish off an injured animal yourself. If you find a suffering animal that cannot move, contact law enforcement for help.
The law applies only to animals you accidentally hit or find already dead. WGFD created this system to reduce waste while protecting wildlife from intentional harm. Previous attempts to pass roadkill laws failed because lawmakers worried about trophy poaching.
How to Claim Roadkill in Wyoming
You need approval from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before collecting roadkill on public roads. The state requires you to use the Wyoming 511 app to request permission for each animal you want to collect.
Download the 511 WYO ROADS mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. The app works even without cell service if you download it ahead of time. This makes it useful for remote areas where you might find road-killed wildlife.
When you find a roadside carcass, open the app and tap the “Report Roadkill” button on the home screen. The app will use your location to record where the animal is. If the species is allowed for collection and you’re in an approved area, you can request roadkill collection authorization right away.
You can collect these animals:
- Deer
- Elk
- Antelope
- Moose
- Bison
- Wild turkey
Important restrictions apply. You cannot salvage deer or other animals on Interstate 25, Interstate 80, or Interstate 90. Collecting roadkill at night is not allowed. You must wait until daylight hours. You also cannot collect animals in construction zones or national parks in Wyoming.
Safety requirements include:
- Park your vehicle completely off the road
- Turn on your emergency flashers
- Never collect roadkill when traffic is present
- Field dressing must happen away from the roadway
You don’t have to be the person who hit the animal. You can request permission to collect roadkill that someone else struck and left on the public road.
What Animals Can You Salvage in Wyoming
Wyoming law lets you collect specific types of roadkill after getting approval. You can salvage deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, wild bison and wild turkey through the state’s program.
Approved species for collection:
- Deer
- Elk
- Antelope (pronghorn)
- Moose
- Wild bison
- Wild turkey
These are the only animals you can legally take from the roadside. The list focuses on game animals that are commonly hit by vehicles in Wyoming. Other wildlife species are not included in the salvage program.
You need to request permission before taking any of these animals. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department requires approval through the Wyoming 511 app for each roadkill collection. This applies whether you hit the animal yourself or find it already on the roadside.
The app works even without cell service, so you can download it ahead of time. This makes it easier to get quick approval when you’re in remote areas. You must take the entire animal with you if you plan to use any part of it for meat.
You cannot collect injured animals under these rules. The regulations don’t authorize anyone to put down wounded wildlife. You also can’t intentionally hit an animal just to collect it as roadkill.
Penalties for Illegal Roadkill Possession in Wyoming
Wyoming takes illegal roadkill possession seriously. If you collect roadkill without following proper procedures, you can face the same penalties as poaching wild game.
You must obtain authorization before taking any roadkill animal from public roads. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department developed Chapter 70 to establish clear rules for legal collection. Breaking these rules can result in fines and potential criminal charges.
Common violations include:
- Taking roadkill without proper certification
- Finishing off an injured animal yourself
- Collecting animals that died from causes other than vehicle collision
- Failing to report the collection through required channels
You cannot intentionally hit animals to claim them as roadkill. This act is considered poaching and carries severe penalties. Wildlife officials can investigate suspicious cases and bring charges if they find evidence of intentional strikes.
The state also has health and safety concerns. Animals with chronic wasting disease pose risks to both humans and other wildlife. You should avoid collecting animals that appear sick or diseased.
Your penalties may increase if you collect protected species or trophy animals illegally. Game wardens have authority to confiscate illegally possessed wildlife and issue citations. Repeat offenders face higher fines and possible loss of hunting privileges.
The regulations for Wyoming roadkill pickup clearly state you cannot kill suffering animals yourself. You should contact law enforcement or game wardens if you encounter an injured animal that needs help.
