Roadkill Officially on the Menu in California

Giving the word "scavenger" a whole new meaning, California has recently joined 28 other states in legalizing the collection of roadkill for consumption. California governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 395 into law on Oct. 13, to try to stop the unnecessary waste of wild game, and start the collection of data on where and how most game is killed.

“Each year it is estimated that over 20,000 deer alone are hit by motor vehicles on California’s roadways,” the legislation reads. “This potentially translates into hundreds of thousands of pounds of healthy meat that could be used to feed those in need.”

A permit system for “persons desiring to recover, possess, use, or transport, for purposes of salvaging wild game meat for human consumption which has been accidentally killed as a result of a vehicle collision on a roadway within California” will soon be under development by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They have until 2022 to finish the process. Individuals interested will be required to apply for said permit, and report where and how the animal was killed, as well as where the carcass is taken. Certain roadways and species may be restricted for collection. 

For more information, the full text of the bill can be found here.