Is it illegal to take some of the roadkill that one may often find along the side of the road home?

Question

I see it on television all of the time, and it's always followed by a gourmet-type dinner. Any recipes would be appreciated as well!

Answer 1

The thing I would say about road kill is you need to be careful. First of all with what you are using and secondly with how long it has been there for. Personally I don't like to use cats, dogs or household pets as that's someone's "baby" The idea of eating that is well....kind of creepy. Putting all of that to one side
Here is one recipie - don't worry about the name it can be changed according to location:


Texas Road-Kill Chili

Source: Ted Rockwell
4 lbs. fresh road-kill
1 tsp. black pepper
2 beers or 750ml zinfindel
1-3 tsps. oregano
2 Jalapeno peppers (chopped)
1 tbsp. cumin powder
2-4 tbsps. chili powder
1 tbsp. salt
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 16 oz. can Contadina tomato sauce
1 tbsp. finely chopped green onions
2 tbsps. chopped bell pepper

(This is REAL Chili - - So, No... There Ain't No Beans !)
Grind up 4 pounds of fresh road-kill. (Note: sometimes, due to the condition of the road-kill, grinding up may not be necessary). Just about anything is acceptable (armadillo, rabbit, possum, chicken, unidentified...), but stay away from skunks since their odoriferousnous may have a negative effect on the final result. If you live in an area where there's not much highway traffic, or where urbanization has scared off all the critters and your neighbors keep their pets indoors, then you can use (all) the following meat as a substitute:

2 lbs. ground beef (chili grind)
1 lb. venison (chili grind) .. pork is ok
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
12 oz. Mexican chorrizo sausage

Mix all the meat in a large kettle. If using the "substitute" ingredients above, then cut open the chorrizo wrapping and squeeze out the contents into the mixture of the 4 lbs. of other meats. Brown the meat, stirring occasionally to mix well.

Once the meat has browned, add the tomato sauce, beer (or wine) and all of the seasonings. It is a good idea at this early juncture to use only half of the chili pepper and oregano and reserve the rest until later so that you can season to your taste.

Cook over low-medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook covered for 1 hour, stirring from time to time. Sample for taste, increase seasoning as desired, and cook on low for another hour, stirring occasionally. Sample again and add additional cumin, chili pepper, oregano, Jalapenos or critters to suit your taste; turn off heat and place in the refrigerator over night.

Reheat on the following day and serve. For an especially tasty presentation, serve up in bowls and sprinkle the top with chopped white onions and shredded Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Feeds 6 to 8. Enjoy!

and another:

Skunk Skillet stew
(a sensory entree not recommended for the weak stomached)

It is actually quite frightening the amount of 'genuine' recipies out there. It must be some sort of sub-culture exisiting entirely off road-kills!

Answer 2

It depends on the state as to what roadkill may be harvested and what must be left. Usually it is a blanket law: either everything or nothing. That being said, I would strongly recommend against taking anything that you yourself did not kill. You have no way of knowing how long the body has been waiting there. It doesn't' take long for the animal to become rather rancid and deadly.

Answer 3

I don't think it illegal, but I hope that you are not going to cook it up for anyone but yourself. How do you know how long its been there, or did it die from being hit by some thing or did it have a disease? This is seriously a great way to catch all sorts of diseases if you want. If you want to eat something exotic, ask your local butcher if they know of any healthier ways to get it. Dont go and scrape it of the road somewhere! Gross!!!

Answer 4

Why would it be illegal? It's a free lunch.

Check the links below. The amazon link is for a book with recipes which you can read right on the 'net!

Answer 5

Why Jethro Bodine....you know the answer to that. Anything left on the road is dinner in a pot that night. Go ahead. Bring it over to Granny to whip up some vittels.

Answer 6

NO its is perfectly legal... my favorite recipe is
Road Kill Mix Up
Take any road kill you can round up skin and de-bone
The fresher the better. the smell of old kill will stink up the kitchen
now you slice up some onion and potatoes throw in some spices of all kinds, little of this .. little of that.. You will need a nice large stock pot with a lid for simmering... and One BIG IDIOT TO STIR THE POT !!!

Answer 7

you have never seen on tv anyone taking roadkill home. most game laws prohibit this

Answer 8

why the hell would you want to take the roadkill?
lol

Answer 9

Ho-hum.

2 points.

Answer 10

wow.....r u drunk???