Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions
Register your car-killed deer or turkey.
Call 608-267-7691 to obtain a tag for car-killed black bear.
Report a car-killed deer that needs to be removed from roadway.
Car-killed deer and other wildlife
Deer-vehicle crashes continue to be a major concern for Wisconsin motorists. The majority of deer-vehicle collisions occur during the months of October and November when deer are most active during the breeding phase. Many collisions also occur during May and June during spring fawning, when yearling deer are seeking out new home ranges.
Regardless of the time of year, motorists should be aware of the potential for deer to crossroads at any time. Taking proper precautions like driving slow during the evening and nighttime hours and scanning roadsides for deer can prevent many of these accidents from occurring.
Vehicle-killed deer, bear and turkey possession
Any person may claim a deer, bear or turkey that has been accidentally killed by a motor vehicle. The driver of a vehicle that collides with and kills a deer, bear or turkey has first priority to the carcass. If the driver does not want the carcass, any other person who arrives at the scene may request possession of the carcass.
Any person wanting to take possession and register a vehicle killed deer, bear, or turkey will need to provide their DNR customer ID number to complete the notification and registration process.
DNR customer ID numbers are assigned to individuals who have purchased hunting and fishing licenses, registered a boat, ATV, UTV, off-highway motorcycle and snowmobile or enrolled in a safety education course. You can find your DNR customer ID number or create a DNR customer ID number online.
Deer and Turkey
Possession of vehicle-killed deer and turkey
Register your vehicle-killed deer or turkey prior to possessing or removing the deer or turkey from the scene.
- Register Online: Registering your vehicle-killed deer or turkey online is quick and easy and provides you the added convenience of either printing or emailing your registration confirmation.
- Register by Phone: Contact the DNR law enforcement non-emergency number at 608-267-7691.
Upon completing notification to the DNR, a vehicle killed deer or turkey may be legally possessed and transported without a harvest authorization or tag. Deer must be in compliance with the chronic wasting disease transportation rules.
Bear
Possession of vehicle-killed bear
Contact the DNR law enforcement non-emergency number at 608-267-7691 to obtain a tag for a car-killed black bear.
Other species
Possession of other vehicle-killed species
A person who accidentally kills small game animals while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway can take possession of the carcass without the need to obtain a tag only if:
- the animal is NOT a fisher, otter, bobcat, wolf, migratory bird or a protected, endangered or threatened species;
- the person possesses a license authorizing the hunting or trapping of the type of animal that was killed; and the animal killed was killed during the open season for that species;
- if the operator of the vehicle that killed the animal does not want to take possession of the carcass, then any person with a license authorizing the hunting or trapping of that animal may take possession of the carcass if it is during an open season for the species.
Deer disposal
Learn more about vehicle-killed deer disposal
Learn more about vehicle-killed deer disposal [exit DNR]
Report a car-killed deer that needs to be removed from a roadway by contacting your local Sheriff's Department.