Washington State Expands Wildlife Salvage Regulations, Permits Deer Collection in Southwest Counties

In a move aiming to widen the scope of wildlife management and utilization in Southwest Washington, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has recently altered regulations permitting the salvage of deer killed in vehicle collisions. Effective last Saturday, the rule specifically makes it legal to collect black-tailed deer, and continues to allow for elk, in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties, with the necessary permits. This development comes with the reassurance, however, that federally protected Columbian white-tailed deer remain off-limits to salvage efforts.

According to the WDFW, this decision was made after assessing the data—which suggests a low risk of misidentifying Columbian white-tailed deer—and represents an extension of salvage opportunities. "We carefully reviewed available data and determined the risk of mistakenly salvaging Columbian white-tailed deer is low," affirmed Kyle Garrison, WDFW’s ungulate section manager, emphasizing the continuation of protective measures for the species. The broader authority for deer and elk salvage stands only for those animals killed by motor vehicles, and involved parties must secure a free roadkill salvage permit from WDFW within 24 hours of taking possession.

It's important to note that if individuals encounter a dead Columbian white-tailed deer, they should not attempt to salvage the animal but rather report it to the WDFW immediately. Salvagers can educate themselves on distinguishing this deer species on the WDFW website. Permits and additional information, including transportation regulations and Chronic Wasting Disease considerations, are available online or through regional offices.

Washington state first embraced the concept of roadkill salvage in 2016, joining an array of states with comparable policies. Initially, Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties were restricted to elk salvage alone, due to the Columbian white-tailed deer's presence. Since then, WDFW’s periodic status review has helped reclassify Columbian white-tailed deer from state-endangered to threatened as of 2023. The population of this species has rebounded from 545 deer in 2002 to 1,296 by 2022, reflecting successful conservation efforts.

Through these revisions, WDFW seeks to address community needs while aligning with wildlife conservation regulations. The regulatory changes are based on population data and established guidelines for sustainable wildlife management. Actions such as the protection of the Columbian white-tailed deer and the approval of salvage activities in designated counties reflect the department’s ongoing role in overseeing wildlife and ecosystem management in the region.