Who to call by state
Iowa
In Iowa, the reporting path depends on the road: Iowa DOT handles interstates, U.S. highways, and state highways, while county and city roads are typically handled locally. Iowa also has a specific salvage-tag rule for road-killed game, and the DNR asks residents to report sick or dead wildlife through its field staff. ([iowadot.gov](https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/report-issue-roadway))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Report on a state road
- Official page →
- Road-killed deer salvage
- In Iowa, a resident may keep a road-killed deer only after immediately contacting a conservation officer, Iowa state trooper, sheriff’s department, or police department and receiving a salvage tag before taking possession; spotted fawn deer are not salvageable. ([iowadnr.gov](https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/9533/download?inline=&utm_source=openai))
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Iowa
Explains Iowa DOT reporting options for state-managed roads, including the contact form and 511/app reporting.
Online form where residents can choose the topic "Report an issue on the roadway" and indicate city, county, or state roadway.
Official county engineers association tool to find the county office in charge of a county road.
Iowa DNR page for reporting sick or dead wildlife, including wildlife disease concerns and bat mortality guidance.
Provides DNR staff and office contacts by county, including conservation officers and wildlife biologists.
Key facts for Iowa
- Iowa DOT roadway issue reports are only for Iowa DOT-managed roads: interstates, U.S. highways, and state highways. ([iowadot.gov](https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/report-issue-roadway))
- The Iowa DOT contact form lets you pick "Report an issue on the roadway" and specify city, county, or state roadway. ([iowadot.gov](https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/report-issue-roadway))
- County blacktops and gravel roads are the county engineer’s responsibility; city streets are the city’s responsibility. ([iowadot.gov](https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/maintenance/winter-operations/snow-removal-operations?utm_source=openai))
- To possess road-killed game in Iowa, you must immediately contact a conservation officer or law enforcement and receive a salvage tag before taking it. ([iowadnr.gov](https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/9533/download?inline=&utm_source=openai))
- Spotted fawn deer and hen pheasants are not salvageable under Iowa’s roadkill rule. ([iowadnr.gov](https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/9533/download?inline=&utm_source=openai))
- Iowa DNR asks residents to report sick or dead wildlife to local DNR field office staff; five or more dead flocking birds in a week should be reported. ([iowadnr.gov](https://www.iowadnr.gov/programs-services/iowas-wildlife/wildlife-disease-management))
What to do next
- If the animal is on an interstate, U.S. highway, or state highway, use the Iowa DOT roadway issue page or contact form first. ([iowadot.gov](https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/report-issue-roadway))
- If the road is a county road, look up the county engineer; if it is a city street, contact the city public works or street department. ([iowacountyroads.org](https://www.iowacountyroads.org/find-your-county-engineer?utm_source=openai))
- If you want a road-killed deer, do not move it first; contact a conservation officer or local law enforcement for a salvage tag. ([iowadnr.gov](https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/9533/download?inline=&utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- Who removes dead animals on roads?
- Dead animal on private property: whose job is it?
- Dead deer removal: roads, yards and salvage permits
- Dead animal under a house or in a wall: finding it and the smell