From The Jamestown Press
April 17, 2025
When it comes to roadkill in Jamestown, it is finders, keepers, with a permit.
Legislation signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee in 2024 has led to a policy that allows the public to salvage 12 species killed in vehicle collisions. Jamestown’s delegation, Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Alex Finkelman, supported the bill.
The aim of the new regulation, administered by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, is to ease the burden of its staff by responding to fewer calls.
A permit is required within 24 hours of collecting wildlife struck by vehicles. The species, sex, estimated age, photo and location must be reported to receive a permit. Eligible species are white-tailed deer, turkeys, beavers, coyotes, fishers, foxes, muskrats, pheasants, squirrels, rabbits, swans and raccoons.
The public, before salvaging roadkill, should prioritize traffic laws. The animal may be field dressed before it’s removed, but parts cannot be left behind, which is illegal due to attracting other wildlife. Each individual animal requires its own unique permit.
The legislation expands reporting requirements to ensure all collisions involving wildlife are reported, not just deer. Reporting helps to track populations and improve highway safety. Roadkill may not be marked with hunting tags. While authorities can euthanize injured animals, injured animals cannot be killed by the public for salvage.
There were 1,347 reports of collisions with deer in 2024. The average cost of damages per collision, according to the Federal Highway Administration, is $6,717