Yes, Pennsylvania permits the salvage of certain roadkill under strict wildlife conservation statutes, provided specific conditions are met. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) regulates this practice to balance public safety, ecological integrity, and resource recovery, with recent 2026 amendments tightening reporting requirements for species like deer and elk.
Key Regulations for Keeping Roadkill in Pennsylvania
- Species Eligibility: Only legally classified “unprotected” wildlife (e.g., white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels) may be salvaged. Endangered or migratory species (e.g., bald eagles, black bears) are strictly off-limits under the PGC’s 2026 Species Protection Act updates.
- Reporting Mandates: Salvagers must report roadkill within 24 hours via the PGC’s Wildlife Salvage Portal or by contacting the nearest regional office. Failure to comply risks misdemeanor charges under Title 34, §2961.
- Possession Limits: Salvaged carcasses may only be retained for personal use (e.g., taxidermy, consumption) and cannot be sold without a PGC-issued salvage permit. Commercial resale violates §2307 of the Pennsylvania Code.
Additional local ordinances may impose further restrictions, particularly in municipalities with active wildlife management plans. Always cross-reference county-specific rules before retrieval.