RIDEM now allowing public to collect roadkill with permit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced a new regulation that will allow the public to collect and salvage roadkill of certain species of animals.

The new regulation, sponsored by Representative David Bennett and Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian, allows the public to collect certain animals deceased due to vehicle collisions with a 24-hour permit. 

Each individual animal requires its own permit before its removal from a roadway, and the animal may be field dressed, but parts cannot be left behind at the site.

This includes white tailed deer, turkeys, beavers, coyotes, fishers, red and gray foxes, muskrats, pheasants, squirrels, rabbits and racoons.

Fisher cats and foxes have additional requirements.

To obtain a permit, it is required to report the species, estimated age and sex, a photograph and location of the deceased animal.

In their statement DEM said:

This approach makes use of an underutilized resource and eases the burden on state staff removing carcasses.

You can learn more about the regulation and how to obtain a permit here.