Yes, Wisconsin allows the collection of certain roadkill under strict wildlife conservation statutes, provided specific conditions are met. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) permits possession of legally obtained wildlife carcasses under NR 10.01(128), but only if the species is not federally protected and the finder reports the incident to authorities within 24 hours.
Key Regulations for Keeping Roadkill in Wisconsin
- Species Eligibility: Only non-protected species (e.g., deer, raccoons, squirrels) may be kept; federally protected species (e.g., bald eagles, migratory birds) are strictly off-limits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Reporting Requirements: The finder must notify the WDNR via the Wildlife Carcass Reporting Portal or local conservation warden within 24 hours, documenting species, location, and circumstances of discovery.
- Possession Limits: A single carcass may be retained for personal use (e.g., taxidermy, consumption) but cannot be sold or bartered; commercial use requires a WDNR salvage permit under NR 19.02.
Local enforcement prioritizes compliance with 2026 updates to NR 10, which now mandates GPS coordinates for all reported carcasses to track disease vectors like chronic wasting disease (CWD). Violations may result in misdemeanor charges under Wis. Stat. § 29.014(1), with fines up to $1,000. Always verify species status via the WDNR’s Species at Risk database before retrieval.