Roadkill Salvage Permits
It is legal to salvage meat from deer and elk struck by vehicles in Oregon. You must fill out a free permit within 24 hours of salvaging and you must surrender the head and antlers to ODFW within 5 business days.
Roadkill salvage application for deer and elk
Follow these steps to salvage roadkill deer and elk:
1. Get a Free Permit
- Apply within 24 hours after taking possession of the animal.
- You can apply online through Oregon's MyODFW Electronic Licensing System (ELS).
- Search for "Roadkill Salvage Permit" in the ELS search bar.
- You'll need to provide details about the location and time of the salvage, so only apply after you have the animal in your possession.
- Applications are free. You can apply either as a guest or with your ODFW ID.
Need help applying? Check out the step-by-step guide for instructions.
2. Surrender the Head and Antlers
- You must surrender the head and antlers of the animal to an ODFW field office within 5 business days of taking possession.
- Find a list of ODFW field offices.
- Call ahead to schedule an appointment before dropping off the head and antlers.
Other Rules for Salvaging Deer and Elk
- Only deer and elk accidentally stuck by a vehicle can be salvaged with a roadkill salvage permit. It is illegal to intentionally hit a deer or elk to salvage the meat.
- White-tailed deer are a protected species in most of western Oregon and can only be salvaged from Douglas County and east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains.
- You must remove the entire carcass of the animal, including the gut pile, from the road and the road right of way.
- The state of Oregon is not liable for any losses or damages that result from the recovery, possession, use, transport or consumption of roadkill salvaged deer or elk meat.
- Selling any part of a salvaged animal is prohibited. However, you can transfer animal parts to another person if you complete a written Wildlife Transfer Record.
Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling
- Tissue samples from the head of the animal you salvaged will be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD). You can keep all parts of the animal except for the head and antlers.
- CWD test results typically take 3-5 weeks. If an animal tests positive for CWD, an ODFW biologist will contact you directly.
- All test results will be posted on ODFW's website. To check your results, enter your roadkill salvage permit confirmation number in the search bar.
- There is no evidence that humans can contract chronic wasting disease from eating or handling meat from infected animals. However, ODFW and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend not consuming game animals that test positive for CWD or otherwise appear sick.
- Any person who salvages a roadkill deer or elk may choose to consume the meat at their own risk. ODFW and OSP will not perform game meat inspections for any deer or elk obtained under a roadkill salvage permit.
For more information on CWD, visit the CDC's resources.
Roadkill Salvage FAQs
What species can be salvaged under a roadkill salvage permit?
You can only salvage roadkill elk and deer accidentally struck by a vehicle.
- White-tailed deer are a protected species in most of western Oregon and can only be salvaged from Douglas County and east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains.
- For more information on identifying deer species, visit ODFW's resources. Animals with their antlers removed cannot be legally salvaged.
- It is unlawful to salvage roadkill cougars, bears, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, or Rocky Mountain goats. However, licensed furtakers may salvage roadkill furbearers (for example, bobcats, gray and red foxes, muskrats, raccoons, and river otters) during certain seasons listed in the regulations.
What am I required to bring to ODFW?
- A completed roadkill salvage permit for the animal that was salvaged.
- The head and antlers of the salvaged animal.
If the antlers were detached by the collision, search the area and bring all the antler pieces to ODFW. It is illegal to remove or retain the antlers from road-struck animals. If the antlers are removed, you cannot legally salvage the animal.
What should I do if I hit and kill an animal while driving?
- If you hit and kill a large animal or see one on the road, move it to the side of the road if it is safe to do so. If you can't move it safely, call 911. Park your vehicle safely and turn on your flashing hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- ODOT and county road maintenance crews are responsible for removing animals from public roadways.
- Collisions with wildlife are most common from October through November because of shorter daylight hours and increased wildlife movement (especially deer). Check out this news release for tips on avoiding collisions with wildlife.
What should I do if an elk or deer is injured and still alive after being hit by a vehicle? Can I salvage the animal after it is dispatched?
If the animal is still alive but injured, follow these steps:
- Call Oregon State Police (OSP) or local law enforcement before the animal is humanely dispatched if you want to salvage the meat.
- Under Oregon law (ORS 498.016):
- Anyone can humanely dispatch a crippled or helpless animal, but OSP must be immediately notified.
- However, only the driver of the vehicle that struck the deer or elk may legally salvage the meat.
- An exception is made if a person authorized to enforce wildlife laws (like Oregon State Police, ODFW, or local law enforcement) humanely dispatches the deer or elk. In this situation, anyone (not just the driver) is allowed to salvage the meat as long as they have a roadkill salvage permit.
Can I salvage the roadkill if I am not the driver who struck the animal?
Any person, not just the driver who struck the animal, may salvage a deer or elk killed by a vehicle. Special rules apply when a deer or elk is struck and injured but not killed. See previous FAQ for more information.
Want to contribute to ODFW's research on wildlife movement?
If you have additional questions about roadkill salvage, please contact your local district ODFW office.
LOCATION | OFFICE ADDRESS | PHONE |
| BAKER CITY | 2995 Hughes Lane, Baker City, OR 97814 | (541) 523-5832 |
| BEND | 61374 Parrell Road, Bend, OR 97702 | (541) 388-6363 |
| CENTRAL POINT | 1495 Gregory Road, Central Point, OR 97502 | (541) 826-8774 |
| CHARLESTON | 63538 Boat Basin Drive, PO Box 5003, Charleston, OR 97420 | (541) 888-5515 |
| CLACKAMAS | 17330 SE Evelyn Street, Clackamas, OR 97015 | (971) 673-6000 |
| CORVALLIS (Adair office) | 7118 NE Vandenberg Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330-9446 | (541) 757-4186 |
| ENTERPRISE | 65495 Alder Slope Road, Enterprise, OR 97828 | (541) 426-3279 |
| GOLD BEACH | 29907 Airport Way, Gold Beach, OR 97444 | (541) 247-7605 |
| HEPPNER | 54173 Hwy 74, Box 363, Heppner, OR 97836 | (541) 676-5230 |
| HINES | 237 Hwy 20 South, PO Box 8, Hines, OR 97738 | (541) 573-6582 |
| JOHN DAY | 305 N Canyon City Blvd. Canyon City, OR 97820 | (541) 575-1167 |
| KLAMATH FALLS | 1850 Miller Island Road, West Klamath Falls, OR 97603 | (541) 883-5732 |
| LA GRANDE | 107 20th Street, La Grande, OR 97850 | (541) 963-2138 |
| LAKEVIEW | 18560 Roberta Rd, Lakeview, OR 97630 | (541) 947-2950 |
| NEWPORT | 2040 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 | (541) 867-4741 |
| ONTARIO | 3814 Clark Blvd., Ontario, OR 97914 | (541) 889-6975 |
| PENDLETON | 73471 Mytinger Lane, Pendleton, OR 97801 | (541) 276-2344 |
| PRINEVILLE | 2042 SE Paulina Highway Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-5111 |
| ROSEBURG | 4192 N Umpqua Hwy Roseburg, OR 97470 | (541) 440-3353 |
| SAUVIE ISLAND | 18330 NW Sauvie Island Road Portland, OR 97231 | (503) 621-3488 |
| SPRINGFIELD | 3150 East Main Street, Springfield, OR 97478 | (541) 726-3515 |
| SUMMER LAKE | 53447 Hwy 31, Summer Lake, OR 97640 | (541) 943-3152 |
| THE DALLES | 3701 West 13th, The Dalles, OR 97058 | (541) 296-4628 |
| TILLAMOOK | 4907 3rd Street, Tillamook, OR 97141 | (503) 842-2741 |
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