Who to call by state
Maine
In Maine, who handles a dead animal depends a lot on where it is and what species it is. For animals on a state road, MaineDOT is the main state contact and organizes work through five maintenance regions; for wildlife disease concerns such as dead birds, MDIFW has separate reporting tools, and marine mammals go to a different state hotline.
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 Maine, a resident may take possession of a road-killed deer only if they were the vehicle operator/owner in the collision, report it promptly to law enforcement, and an officer issues a certificate of ownership for the carcass.
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Maine
Use MaineDOT’s statewide contact form or main phone line for a dead animal on a state-maintained road.
Find which MaineDOT maintenance region covers your town so you can contact the right regional office faster.
Explains when Maine wants dead bird reports and links to the online dead wild bird reporting form.
Gives Maine guidance on when to leave wildlife alone, when to call a warden/biologist, and how to find licensed rehabilitators.
Use this for a live, dead, stranded, or entangled whale, dolphin, porpoise, seal, or sea turtle in Maine.
Key facts for Maine
- MaineDOT’s published main contact number is 207-624-3000, with hours listed as 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. (MaineDOT Contact Us)
- MaineDOT says it has five maintenance regions, and its Regions page includes a town-to-region search. (MaineDOT Regions)
- If you collide with a deer, moose, bear, or wild turkey in Maine, you must report it to law enforcement by the quickest means. (12 MRS §12403)
- If the vehicle has apparent damage from that collision, the officer may issue a certificate entitling the driver/owner to the carcass. (12 MRS §12403)
- MDIFW especially wants dead bird reports for 3 or more birds in one area, birds near poultry, or dead waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, gulls, or seabirds. (MDIFW Avian Influenza page)
- Maine’s marine animal hotline is 1-800-532-9551 for whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea turtles. (Maine DMR)
What to do next
- If the animal is on a state route or shoulder, report it to MaineDOT and give the route number, nearest address/intersection, travel direction, and mile marker or landmark.
- If you hit a deer, moose, bear, or turkey, call law enforcement first; do not assume you can keep the carcass without the officer’s certificate.
- If it is a dead bird, avoid handling it and use the MDIFW bird-reporting page; if it is a seal, whale, porpoise, dolphin, or sea turtle, call the marine hotline instead of moving it.
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