Who is responsible for removing road-killed deer?
All State roads in Northampton County are covered by a contract between PennDOT and a private vendor 610-250-1840
All non-State roads are covered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission 610-926-3136
Who can pick up and possess road-killed deer for edible meat?
Any legal resident of Pennsylvania may pick up road-killed deer from the highways for the edible parts which are covered by a permit or permit number issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Non-residents cannot obtain a permit or a permit number for PA road-killed deer. Interstate travel of entire deer or carcasses is highly regulated for purposes of disease transmittal.
What are the legal requirements for residents to possess road-killed deer?
Any legal resident picking up road-killed deer must contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Game Commission Officer within 24 hours of possessing the road-killed deer to report it and obtain permit or permit number.
What happens to the head, hide, bones & entrails?
The PGC issued permit or permit number is free for the edible parts only. The permittees or their butchers are required to properly dispose of the head, hide, bones & entrails. A permittee cannot sell, barter or commercialize the deer, meat or parts thereof. The permit or permit number is for personal consumption only.
What if the road-killed deer has antlers?
Antlers cannot be retained or possessed from road-killed deer! The antlers must be returned to the PGC by contacting the appropriate region dispatch center for pick up. (Southeast Region – 610-926-3136) Sawing antlers or cutting entire head off of a road-killed deer carries a potential fine of $800.00 and three years hunting revocation. Title 34 Game & Wildlife Code does have provisions for the legal purchase of antlers from road-killed deer on a “sale of wildlife” receipt generated by the PGC.
What if the deer is still alive on the roadway?
The local police, state police or PGC should be called ASAP to report injured deer so it can be dispatched quickly and humanely. PGC officers retain lists of individuals that want or can use permitted deer meat, so the sooner we are notified that a deer has been dispatched the better.
What if a civilian dispatches the deer?
Civilians do not have the authority to dispatch injured deer. The civilian could ultimately be held liable for the unlawful killing if warranted after an investigation. Under no circumstances would the civilian dispatching an injured deer be issued a permit or permit number for the deer.