Deer and elk salvage will begin statewide July 1

A new measure being enacted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow people who accidentally kill deer or elk in motor vehicle accidents to salvage the animal for meat.

The new measure will go into effect in July this year, according to the WDFW website, so the department can have time to develop procedures around the rule.

The website lists the conditions under which salvaging a deer or elk hit by a vehicle will be allowed. The provisions state that it is permissible statewide, except in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, which list deer and elk as endangered species. Those who hit a deer or elk and salvage it must also apply for a salvage permit within 24 hours from the time of taking possession of the animal and must also remove the entire carcass from the road. Permits are able to be obtained at the WDWF website or department regional offices. Big game licenses and tags are not allowed to be used for the purpose of salvaging deer and elk that have been hit by cars.

The provisions additionally state meat deemed unfit for human consumption or unusable animal parts must be properly disposed of, and any deer or elk hit by a motor vehicle that is only injured or wounded may not be killed by an individual for the purpose of salvage.

According to the WSDOT, more than 1,100 deer and elk collisions are reported in the state each year, though WSDOT also reports removing more than 3,500 deer and elk carcasses each year.

Al Gilson, WDSOT spokesperson for the eastern region, provided information to the Gazette about deer and elk carcass removal on Highways 26 and 195.

The information he provided shows that between 2010-2015 708 carcasses were removed from Highway 26 between Colfax and Hatton Coulee, and 380 were removed from Highway 195 between Pullman and Spangle during the same time period.

The highest year on record during that time period for both highways was 2014 when 146 carcasses were removed from Highway 26 and 83 from Highway 195. The lowest year for both was 2013 when 92 were removed from Highway 26 and 44 from Highway 195.

Average number per year based on this data is 118 for 26 and 63.3 for 195.

For full details on the new measure, visit the WDFW website.

wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/game_salvaging.