Idaho Fish & Game opposes roadkill bill

BOISE - The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has voted unanimously to oppose legislation from Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, to allow Idahoans with hunting or trapping licenses to salvage road-killed carcasses - something that’s now strictly illegal. “There was concern just because of the potential enforcement problems,” said Mike Keckler, Fish and Game spokesman. “If someone were to say, ‘Where did you find this animal, how come it doesn’t have a tag? And they were able to say, ‘Well, I found it on the side of the road’ … that poses a bit of a problem.” Harwood said he proposed the bill after a constituent said a valuable bobcat pelt went to waste after the animal was hit by a car near his home, and the state should’ve let him salvage it. Road-killed animals are considered state property in Idaho. The Fish and Game Commission vote came late last week. Harwood’s bill, HB 562, still is pending in the House Resources Committee, where it’s up for a hearing on Tuesday.