Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 12, 1991 TAG: 9104120048
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LANSING, MICH. LENGTH: Medium
The idea is to prevent fur and meat from accidentally killed birds and animals from going to waste, said George Burgoyne, assistant wildlife chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
"I guess to some people it might sound unappetizing, but thousands of road-killed deer are collected and utilized throughout the country every year," Burgoyne said. "And it's better than just letting the animal go to waste and create a stench or a nuisance or an eyesore."
Michigan rules already allow taking a deer or bear killed by motorists, as long as a special permit is obtained.
Under the new rules, a person with a deer-hunting license can take an accidentally killed deer during the deer-hunting season and count that toward the season limit.
"I think there are a number of people that would utilize a dead deer - not one they found there and had no idea [when it was killed], but if they hit it or actually saw the accident, many people would consider using the venison," said Dennis Knapp, wildlife biologist for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
The rules, which take effect June 1, cover all creatures, great and small.
During the hunting season, a person with a hunting license may keep a road-killed game bird or animal and count it toward the daily or season limit. That means species such as fox, coyotes, raccoon, rabbits, pheasants, and turkeys are fair game.
Species that are endangered or threatened, such as wolves or eagles, cannot be kept.
Burgoyne said he doubts the rules will encourage motorists to run down animals deliberately.
"Going out of your way to kill an animal is not unthinkable, but certainly it is not going to be a practice that people follow regularly," he said.
by CNB