New legislation passed in Illinois allows people to use roadkill carcasses

Jan 25, 2012 15:49 GMT  ·  By
Trappers in Illinois will be allowed to harvest roadkill for profit during the hunting season
   Trappers in Illinois will be allowed to harvest roadkill for profit during the hunting season

Legislation introduced by Illinois State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-McComb), and approved a short while back, entered into force at the end of 2011. The law allows permit-holding residents to take the pelts and meat from roadkill, but only if the dead animals are in season.

These unfortunate creatures are an important part of the ecosystem in which they lived. They provide a rich source of nutrients for a large number of other species, so tampering with this food supply can have negative repercussions on the entire habitat; hence permission to do so is only granted in season.

“Pelts and furs of deceased animals along the roadway will not go to waste, and roadkill on our streets will hopefully be picked up quicker without costing additional taxpayer dollars,” Hammond explains.

Only Illinois residents with a trapper's permit can harvest the roadkills, the new law states. The trappers say that the measure is good, since it will allow them to make some extra money as they travel to and from the places where they usually work.