Oregon Joins The List of States To Legalize Harvesting Roadkill To Eat

Oh deer. This might be the perfect time for you to think twice on being oblivious about where your meat is sourced. Because the next thing you know, it might say “Harvested off Highway 18.”

This might be due to the fact that Oregon legislature unanimously passed a law which allows drivers to harvest the meat off deer, elk, turkey or any other wild animals colliding with their vehicle. Beginning in 2019, if motorists accidentally hit any wildlife, they must be issued a permit in order to harvest it’s meat.

Government officials state that the law was a deterrent to motorists who were illegally taking roadkill meat as a hunting method. In addition, all antlers must be surrendered to state officials.

While this may be an unusual practice in most states, Oregon is not the first to enact such a law, as Pennsylvania and Washington have already been a part of the list.

It seems that Oregon citizens and representatives alike have mixed feelings about the law, raising concerns on the questionable ethics of serving roadkill.  Coming from California, where there is not much roadkill, this news sounds like a hit-or-miss to me.