Can You Keep Your Roadkill Under Michigan Law? | Scott Goodwin Law

Can You Keep Your Roadkill Under Michigan Law?

by / Tuesday, 03 December 2013 / Published in Accident News, Legal News, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Tips
Deer crossing two lane highway in front cars

If you’re driving along and hit a deer, then why shouldn’t you be able to take it? It’s likely caused injury to your car, and unfortunately it would be hard to collect a judgment against a deer for a Michigan negligence claim. But is it legal to do this under Michigan law?

In September 2014, an amendment to 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act” (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106), which added section 40115, went into effect. The new bill enables you to hit an animal and take it home with you before getting a salvage tag. You are still required to get a salvage tag, but you could take the animal before having to do so.

Michigan Roadkill Law

 

Sec. 40115. (1) An individual may possess game, other than a bird, that is either killed by, or injured and euthanized following, a collision with a motor vehicle. The driver of the motor vehicle has first priority to take possession of the game.

(2) An individual in possession of game under subsection (1) shall prepare a written record with all of the following information: (a) The date when the individual took possession of the game. (b) The location where the individual took possession of the game. (c) Whether the individual has requested a salvage tag under subsection (5). (d) The individual’s full name, including middle initial, date of birth, mailing address, and telephone number.

(3) An individual shall maintain a record prepared under subsection (2) until the individual obtains a salvage tag under subsection (5) or until the game and its parts are consumed, are composted, or are no longer possessed by any person. The record shall be kept at the location where the game or its parts are kept. The individual shall exhibit the record upon request of a law enforcement officer.

(4) An individual in possession of the game under subsection (1) shall not deliver the game to a business for the purpose of taxidermy or tanning unless a salvage tag issued under subsection (5) is securely attached to the game. The person in possession of the game shall ensure that the salvage tag remains attached to the game as long as the game remains in an unprocessed state or in possession of a business for the purpose of taxidermy or tanning.

(5) The department shall promptly issue a salvage tag for the purposes of subsection (4) if requested by an individual in possession of game under subsection (1). The department shall accept requests for salvage tags by electronic mail, mail, telephone, or via the department’s website.

So fire up your grill and take a ride in your car. Under Michigan’s roadkill law, you’re eligible to take what you hit and use it for things like cooking, taxidermy, and trapping. Just remember to document it and get a salvage tag later.

Contact a Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer

Our firm has been handling Michigan negligence claims for over 30 years. We use our blog as a place to educate and inform you about our services and Michigan’s laws.

If you’ve been injured, then we’re here for you:

Car, snowmobile, truck, bus accidents
Defective products
Medical malpractice claims
• Any and all personal injuries
Birth trauma
Slip and falls

We  provide legal services to the Detroit and Metro Detroit areas: places like Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Southfield, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Flint, and their respective surrounding areas. Get the recovery you deserve today. And stay tuned to our blog for more updates about Michigan law.

The personal injury attorneys at Goodwin & Scieszka have been winning cases for over 30 years. When you are ready to win your case, contact Goodwin & Scieszka.

If you have been injured in any type of accident, contact us immediately by phone or email. You pay nothing until we take your case to trial or settle. With over 30 years of litigation experience representing the “little guy” against the largest insurance companies, corporations, and hospitals, we’ll get you the money you deserve.

Explore our website to learn more about the services we provide and why we have been named Michigan Super Lawyers for the last six years and Dbusiness’s Top Lawyers for the last three. Whatever your accident or injury, we are ready to Win Your Case!

Call us at 1-888-GOODWIN (466-3946)

Email Scott Goodwin

TOP