Do you move (fresh) roadkill out of the road? There are benefits....?

Question

Those of you who are laughing, this is not a joking matter. You can help save the lives of scavengers like raccoons, opossum, vultures, etc. by doing this if possible. This is a great way to save the lives of other animals who may suffer the same fate if not for your random act of kindness. I have done this for years because I hate to see an animal obliterated down to nothing like it never even existed. It really pulls at my heart. For those who may consider doing this, remember to keep a handy supply of protective gloves. I use latex gloves. Also, it's common sense but never attempt to do this if it is going to endanger your life. Is there anyone else like me out there?

Answer 1

my son and I moved a dead animal out of the road with a shovel-it was HEAVY but we felt much better after doing our "good deed". It is important to teach our future generation about wildlife. I think we all suffered a great loss when Steve Irwin past away.

Answer 2

it doesnt matter if its in the road or not, if its been ran over ten times, those raccoons, etc are going to eat it anyways.

Answer 3

u dont need gloves its dead so it cant carry disease and who cares about scavengers they are dirty creatures

Answer 4

In some states (or portions there of) you are obligated to report hazardous roadkill or roadkill that interferes with traffic -- this includes parts of Michigan, Washington, Alaska, and Montana to name a few.

I agree that it's the right, sensible and responsible thing to do -- not only for other drivers, but the animals you mentioned that are drawn to roadkill.  I've lived in Michigan and Washington and have had the misfortune of seeing deer hit twice (both times the driver kept going) and have had to deal with the end results.

A game warden told me the best thing to do is report this to county officials right away -- they can put you into direct contact with the office responsible for handling the problem.  Most often they can have someone on site within 30 minutes, especially if the roadkill presents a traffic danger.

If they are unable to arrive in a timely manner, or authorize you to handle the matter; it's best to have a short handled shovel, gloves, length of sturdy rope and a tarp in your trunk -- all common sense items to have there anyway.  These in any combination will help you move the item in question off the road safely.  What you opt to take is up to you.

The link below is an interesting look at the cost of roadkill and  the impact (pardon the pun) it has on Montana each year.

Answer 5

Not exactly. If I saw a deer get hit I would stick around till a game warden or police officer showed up, and ask if I could have the deer to eat. To me, thats better than buying organic. No waste.

If it were a different animal I might skin it for its fur and place the carcase on the side of the road. Again, no waste. And scavengers will have a tasty treat. And if they can do that safely off the road, everyone wins!

Answer 6

Wear day-glo orange! You dont want to be the next roadkill they scraping off the pavement with shovels.

Answer 7

Actually, I have, for the very reason you mention.  Once we were looking at the poor fawn and wondering how to move it when a Highway Patrol pulled up.  He probably checked out our bumper first.

I've moved snakes, a skunk, and God knows what else.  Partly it's because of traffic safety, scavenger safety, and partly because it just doesn't seem right to add insult to injury by having vehicle after vehicle run it over until it can't even go back into the food web, at least not at the source.

I helped get a sign posted once in an area where several bobcat were killed.  The city wanted proof, and I had saved the report.  They put up a deer silhouette and said that represented all wildlife.  Unfortunately, it hasn't slowed down the traffic in that neighborhood.  Some people just don't care.  I'm glad you do.

Answer 8

In VA what i do is wait for the State Police say its okay to remove it and eat it(if i had just hit it) other ways i scrape to the side of the road and take pix of the scavengers

Answer 9

I personally try to help the cycle of decomposition by pancaking any small roadkill in the road's surface.  The faster it becomes a pancake the sooner scavengers will stay away.  They don't like pancakes.  Only problem is if you hit a really "ripe" one you will get quite the splatter on the undercarriage.  Smelly in the summer!

Answer 10

I think it is very honorable what you do, but I am not going to risk my life for a dead animal and move it out of the road. So I don't stop walk out on any road. There are so many crazy drivers that there is nothing like a safe road anymore.

What I do is call the cops and tell them to go an pick it up.