It is now legal to collect and eat roadkill in Wyoming
A little roadkill with your fries?
It is now legal for Wyoming residents to collect roadkill they accidentally hit or dead animals they find on the side of the road.
There are about 30 states that have similar salvage programs, including Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. The programs allow residents to take roadkill home to eat, with some exceptions: wolverines, grizzlies, and endangered species must remain on the road.
Wyoming residents can use the 511 mobile app to ask for authorization when seeking to collect roadkill. Animals can only be retrieved if they receive authorization from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Officials say the app works even without cell service.
In some instances, the collection will not receive authorization. Retrieval from busy roadways is not allowed, nor is it permitted in active construction zones or within national parks.
AVOIDING WILDLIFE COLLISIONS
Here are some tips to avoid wildlife collisions.
Watch the signs. Wildlife warning signs are usually yellow and diamond-shaped and feature an animal illustration.
Slow down. Speed is one of the most common collision factors, according to wildlifecollisions.ca. Obeying the speed limit is an easy way to mitigate risk.
Plan and drive defensively. Try to predict what you would do if an animal darted toward your car. Being mentally prepared and actively aware of your surroundings can lessen reaction time. Make sure you're surveying both sides of the road.
Breaking and swerving. Swerving can be dangerous, especially on winter roads. Reduce your speed when you see posted signs. "If a deer is in your way, consider using your brakes, not your wheel," wildlifecollisions.com says.
"If you have to choose between swerving or striking a moose, consider swerving. A collision with a moose, which can weigh up to 500 kgs (1200 lbs), carries a significant risk of injury or death to motorists and passengers. If a crash with a moose is inevitable, crouch as low as possible in your seat, or under the dash, as a moose's body usually ends up crushing the roof of a car completely flat."
WHAT IF YOU CAN'T AVOID A CRASH?
Focus on where you're going and not the animal. People tend to drive where they look.
Aim for where the animal has been, not where it is headed.
Try to hit at an angle and not a head-on collision.
Ease up on the brakes before making contact. This causes the front end of the car to elevate and reduces the risk of the animal coming through your windshield.
AFTER A COLLISION
Call for help.
Do not approach an injured animal.
Turn on hazard lights.
Warn other drivers if a dead animal is obstructing the road.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Pexels.
