Who to call by state
Ohio
For Ohio state highways, the Ohio Department of Transportation works through 12 district offices that handle traffic operations and roadway maintenance; I found official district contact information, but no dedicated statewide online dead-animal report form. For local roads, Ohio law places county roads with county engineers and streets inside municipalities with the city or village. ([ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov](https://ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov/html/inv/el30.html?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
- Ohio law says the driver who killed a deer on a highway may take possession if the accident is reported within 24 hours to a wildlife officer or other law-enforcement officer, who then investigates and may issue a certificate for legal ownership. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1533.121?utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Ohio
Use this official ODOT district contact list to identify the state district responsible for a state highway in your county.
Use this official association page to find the county engineer for county-road issues outside municipalities.
This official law explains when a driver may keep a road-killed deer and the 24-hour reporting requirement.
This official ODNR page publishes the Division of Wildlife contact line, including 1-800-WILDLIFE.
Key facts for Ohio
- ODOT has 12 district offices responsible for traffic operations and maintenance of state roadways. ([ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov](https://ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov/html/inv/el30.html?utm_source=openai))
- Ohio county engineers have general charge of county highways and bridges under county-commissioner jurisdiction. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5543.01?utm_source=openai))
- Inside a municipal corporation, the local legislative authority has care, supervision, and control of streets and highways. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-723?utm_source=openai))
- A driver who killed a deer on a highway may keep it if the crash is reported within 24 hours. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1533.121?utm_source=openai))
- After investigation, the wildlife officer or other law-enforcement officer issues a certificate for legal ownership of the deer. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1533.121?utm_source=openai))
- ODNR publishes 1-800-WILDLIFE, and official Ohio sources point residents to the ODNR Wildlife Reporting Tool for many sick or dead wildlife reports. ([apps.ohiodnr.gov](https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/home/index.aspx?utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- First identify the road owner: interstate, U.S. route, and Ohio state route issues go to ODOT; county roads generally go to the county engineer; streets in cities or villages usually go to that local service/public works office. ([ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov](https://ohioitsarch.transportation.ohio.gov/html/inv/el30.html?utm_source=openai))
- For a deer you struck yourself, report it within 24 hours to a wildlife officer or other law-enforcement officer before trying to keep it. ([codes.ohio.gov](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1533.121?utm_source=openai))
- For dead birds or sick wildlife, use ODNR’s wildlife reporting tool; for raptors, multiple waterfowl, or large bird die-offs, Ohio official guidance says to contact ODNR at 1-800-WILDLIFE. ([clermonthealthohio.gov](https://clermonthealthohio.gov/services/community_health/zoonotic_diseases/bird_flu.php?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