Montana Bill Would Legalize Roadkill Dining

By passing a bill last week that allows motorists to eat their roadkill, the Montana House of Representatives may be on their way to legalizing the ultimate drive-through experience. State Rep. Steve Lavin originally introduced the bill into Montana's House to allow "game animals, fur-bearing animals, migratory game birds and upland game birds" who have been killed by a car to be harvested for food. "This includes deer, elk, moose and antelope, the animals with the most meat," said Lavin. Lavin said that in his "day job" as a state trooper he sees a ton of animals hit on Montana's roadways that could potentially be repurposed to provide meat for people in need. State troopers already alert food banks to viable bumper banquets. This bill would simply make the practice legal. If passed, Lavin said the law would explicitly exclude species such as big horn sheep and bear over concerns there would be profiteering from horns, claws and other body parts collectors covet. Collisions between vehicles and animals are a serious problem in rural states like Montana. In 2011, the last year statistics were available, the Montana Department of Transportation reported a little over 1,900 wild animal–vehicle crashes. Considering nearly 7,000 carcasses were collected from the side of road that same year, it seems likely that many such accidents go unreported. It's worth noting that Montana is not the first state to pass this type of law. Colorado, Illinois and Indiana are among states that currently allow motorists the privilege of salvaging roadkill under certain circumstances...more  

Every state should have this "meals under wheels" legalization legislation.