This response was provided by Darryl Coates, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, District Wildlife Biologist.
Good Afternoon,
Good question. Do WCO’s ( means - Wildlife Conservation Officers) pick up owls or hawks killed on County or State highways? Occasionally, an officer and/or a wildlife biologist may pickup a freshly killed bird. However, it is not the responsibility of IDNR Law Enforcement Officers or Natural Resource Staff to pick up or destroy road killed wildlife. IDOT State and County Highway crews are responsible for picking up animals killed by automobiles found on roadway. Disposal is by burial.
A word of precaution, by state and federal rules, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, ship, transport and store a carcass or parts thereof, including feathers, nest or eggs except as provided by specific permit of any bird of prey, migratory bird, game bird and/or migratory game bird. Birds that are picked up may be used as mounts, study skins, educational or biological research. Thanks for asking.
