How Every U.S. State Feels About You Keeping a Deer You Just Hit With Your Car
If you’ve ever hit a deer (or worried you might) you may never thought about taking it home with you. But it’s a surprisingly common thought.
Venison is local, sustainable, and “ethical” in certain minds (mine included). The deer’s already down. But whether you can toss it in the bed of your truck or the back of your SUV depends on where you are. Some states hand you a tag and wish you a safe drive home. A specific one will slap you with a fine for trying.
Across the country, roadkill laws are a patchwork of logic, wildlife policy, and a little local flavor.
What every U.S. state thinks of you keeping a deer you hit with your car
| State | Can you keep the deer you hit? |
| Alabama | Allowed (usually requires report/permit) |
| Alaska | Allowed (typically allowed; agency rules apply) |
| Arizona | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Arkansas | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| California | Allowed in pilot/authorized areas (permit/report rules) |
| Colorado | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Connecticut | Allowed (usually requires report/permit) |
| Delaware | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Florida | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Georgia | Allowed (reporting/conditions apply) |
| Hawaii | Allowed (local rules apply) |
| Idaho | Allowed (must notify Fish & Game; salvage permit) |
| Illinois | Allowed (driver has priority; must report within 24 hrs) |
| Indiana | Allowed (often permit/notification required) |
| Iowa | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Kansas | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Kentucky | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Louisiana | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Maine | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Maryland | Allowed (may require permit/inspection) |
| Massachusetts | Allowed (permit/report usually required; inspection rules) |
| Michigan | Allowed (salvage permit usually required) |
| Minnesota | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Mississippi | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Missouri | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Montana | Allowed (permit required within 24 hrs in many cases) |
| Nebraska | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Nevada | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| New Hampshire | Allowed (often minimal requirements) |
| New Jersey | Allowed (often requires valid hunting permit or salvage tag) |
| New Mexico | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| New York | Allowed (carcass tag/salvage procedures apply) |
| North Carolina | Allowed (registration/reporting often required) |
| North Dakota | Allowed (may require hunting permit/salvage tag) |
| Ohio | Allowed (reporting/possession certificate often required) |
| Oklahoma | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Oregon | Allowed (free salvage permit within 24 hrs; surrender head/antlers rules) |
| Pennsylvania | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Rhode Island | Allowed (permit required within 24 hrs) |
| South Carolina | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| South Dakota | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Tennessee | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Texas | Prohibited (you can move it off the road, but you can’t keep it) |
| Utah | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Vermont | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Virginia | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Washington | Allowed (free salvage permit must be obtained within 24 hrs) |
| West Virginia | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Wisconsin | Allowed (permit/report usually required) |
| Wyoming | Allowed (law permits salvage; app/registration available) |
So, did you catch it?
Texas is the only state that forbids drivers from taking a deer after a collision
I’ll have to admit, of all the states, I didn’t think Texas would balk at this.
But in The Lone Star State, you can’t remove a deer you’ve hit from the scene for any purpose. You can, however, get it off the roadway to clear the path.
Who to call if you’ve hit a deer with your car
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: If anyone’s hurt, call 911. If your car’s dinged up badly and you fear driving it, call for a tow.
Beyond that, assuming the deer has passed and your vehicle is perfectly driveable, you can call the local non-emergency number. I live in Columbus, Ohio, so ours is (614) 645-4545. If you’re not in Columbus, Ohio, don’t dial that number.
You might also be required to report the animal and your action to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
Either authority might ask you to take photos, file a report, or wait for someone to come complete those administrative items and maybe even help you get the deer into your car. All of this depends on where you are at the time, state and local rules, and who’s on call to respond.
