Legislation could add roadkill to Montana menus
Montana lawmakers pass a bill to let people salvage meat from wild animals accidentally killed on roadways.
By Marisa Gerber, Los Angeles Times
April 6, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
The idea came from something a state lawmaker noticed while cruising the wide-open roads of Montana. The highway often has carcasses — plenty of them.
"There are a lot of animals and a lot of roadway in Montana," state Rep. Steve Lavin said. "I've had a ton of people ask me after striking a deer or an elk, 'Can I take it?' And I have to say no.'"
But that could soon change.
If a bill becomes law, Montana motorists could take home certain roadkill — and cook it up.
And no, the "roadkill bill" — HB 247 —wouldn't mean open season on animals on the state's roadways. The legislation, which cleared the state Senate in March and awaits the governor's signature, emphasizes that the animal has to have been accidentally killed.