Who to call by state
New York
In New York, roadkill removal depends first on who maintains the road: NYSDOT handles state-maintained highways through its Transportation Maintenance Offices, while DEC says vehicle-strike carcasses should go to the highway department responsible for that road. For wildlife reporting, DEC runs the state’s dead-wildlife and disease reporting system, including a separate avian-influenza bird form. ([dot.ny.gov](https://www.dot.ny.gov/about-nysdot/faq/residencies?utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Road-killed deer salvage
- DEC says the owner of a vehicle damaged by collision with a deer, bear, or moose may keep the carcass for consumption or give it to a third party, but the accident must be reported to a police agency and a permit obtained. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/environmental-conservation-police/law-enforcement-faq))
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in New York
Use this DEC page to see which dead wildlife cases should be reported and whether to contact a DEC Regional Wildlife Office or the Wildlife Health Unit. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/reporting-dead-wildlife))
Use this DEC page for sick wildlife guidance; it says live sick birds or mammals should be reported to a Regional DEC office or a local wildlife rehabilitator. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases))
Use this DEC form to report suspected avian-influenza bird mortalities in New York. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases))
Use this DEC FAQ for the rule on keeping a deer, bear, or moose hit by a vehicle and the required police report and permit. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/environmental-conservation-police/law-enforcement-faq))
Key facts for New York
- NYSDOT says its Transportation Maintenance Offices are responsible for day-to-day maintenance and operation of state roadways. ([dot.ny.gov](https://www.dot.ny.gov/about-nysdot/faq/residencies?utm_source=openai))
- DEC says dead animals suspected of being hit by a vehicle should be reported to the highway department responsible for maintaining that road. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/reporting-dead-wildlife))
- NYSDOT’s Local Highway Inventory lists more than 95,000 miles of roads under counties and local governments, not the state. ([dot.ny.gov](https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/hds-respository/2019_HiDaC_02a_-_NYSDOT_Local_Highway_Inventory_Manual_April_2018.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Cornell CALS says deer killed on county and local roads in New York are managed by local highway departments. ([cals.cornell.edu](https://cals.cornell.edu/ny-center-organics-recycling-education/health-safety/road-kill-management))
- DEC says a vehicle owner may keep a deer, bear, or moose carcass, but must report the crash to police and obtain a permit. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/environmental-conservation-police/law-enforcement-faq))
- DEC asks residents to report dead eagles, peregrine falcons, dead moose, tagged deer, and mass wildlife die-offs. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/reporting-dead-wildlife))
What to do next
- First identify the road owner: if it is an interstate, state route, or other state-maintained road, use the NYSDOT maintenance office page; otherwise contact the local county highway department or city/town/village DPW. ([dot.ny.gov](https://www.dot.ny.gov/about-nysdot/faq/residencies?utm_source=openai))
- If a deer, bear, or moose was hit and you want the carcass, report the collision to a police agency before taking it and obtain the required permit. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/environmental-conservation-police/law-enforcement-faq))
- For dead birds, especially waterfowl, gulls, raptors, crows, shorebirds, loons, or herons, use DEC’s avian-influenza form; for live sick wildlife, contact a DEC regional office or wildlife rehabilitator. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases))
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