Yes, Delaware permits the collection of roadkill under strict conditions. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) regulates wildlife salvage via permits, allowing residents to possess certain species if reported within 24 hours and collected legally.
Key Regulations for Keeping Roadkill in Delaware
- Permit Requirement: A free salvage permit from DNREC is mandatory before retrieving roadkill; violations incur fines up to $575 under 7 Del. C. § 727.
- Species Restrictions: Only deer, wild turkey, rabbits, and squirrels may be salvaged; protected species (e.g., foxes, raccoons) require additional permits.
- Reporting Deadline: Roadkill must be reported to DNREC within 24 hours via their online portal or hotline (302-739-9910), with GPS coordinates for tracking.
Local enforcement prioritizes compliance with 2026 updates to the Wildlife Conservation Act, which expanded salvage zones post-2024 deer-vehicle collision data. Possession without a permit or for prohibited species constitutes misdemeanor wildlife trafficking.