Who to call by state
Oregon
For Oregon state highways, residents are directed to ODOT’s Ask ODOT contacts and local ODOT maintenance districts, while non-state roads are handled by the city or county that owns them. Oregon also has a current ODFW roadkill-salvage permit program for deer and elk, plus official ODFW reporting for dead birds and sick wildlife. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/about/pages/contact-us.aspx?utm_source=openai))
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
- Oregon allows salvage of deer and elk accidentally struck by a vehicle if you complete a free roadkill salvage permit within 24 hours and surrender the head and antlers to ODFW within 5 business days. ([myodfw.com](https://myodfw.com/articles/roadkill-salvage-permits?utm_source=openai))
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Oregon
Use this ODOT page for questions, comments, concerns, and the published Ask ODOT hotline for state-highway issues.
Find the local ODOT maintenance district responsible for day-to-day maintenance on a specific state highway segment.
Use this directory to identify county road authorities; ODOT notes cities and other local governments may control local streets and roads.
Explains Oregon’s free permit process and rules for salvaging road-killed deer or elk.
Official ODFW page for reporting dead birds and getting instructions on what situations should be reported.
Key facts for Oregon
- ODOT says each maintenance district handles day-to-day maintenance and operations for state highways in its area. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/maintenance/pages/district-contacts.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- ODOT says Ask ODOT can assist with questions, complaints, or reports about Oregon state highways, roads, and bridges. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Pages/Transportation-Safety-Public-Participation-and-Engagement.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- ODOT says cities and other local government entities may have jurisdiction over local streets and roads. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/county-public-works.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- ODFW says deer and elk roadkill may be salvaged legally only with a free permit completed within 24 hours. ([myodfw.com](https://myodfw.com/articles/roadkill-salvage-permits?utm_source=openai))
- ODFW says salvagers must surrender the animal’s head and antlers to an ODFW field office within 5 business days. ([myodfw.com](https://myodfw.com/articles/roadkill-salvage-permits?utm_source=openai))
- ODFW’s dead bird page tells Oregonians to report certain dead or sick birds to the wildlife hotline. ([dfw.state.or.us](https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/dead_bird_reporting_protocol.asp?utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- First identify the road owner: if it is an interstate, U.S. route, or Oregon state highway, start with ODOT; otherwise contact the city or county road authority. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/state-of-the-system/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- For a dead animal on a state highway, use Ask ODOT or the local ODOT maintenance district; if it is an immediate roadway hazard, ODOT publishes 911 or *OSP for urgent highway hazards. ([oregon.gov](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/about/pages/contact-us.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- If you plan to keep a road-killed deer or elk, get possession safely first, then complete the free ODFW permit and follow the head/antler turn-in rule. ([myodfw.com](https://myodfw.com/articles/roadkill-salvage-permits?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