In terms of legalization, California is long in the tooth, acting as a proving ground for the rest of the country. So it might come as a surprise that it’s a little late to the “legalized roadkill consumption” party, having just become the 28th state to allow the harvesting of animals killed by car, according to The New Food Economy.

The Wildlife Traffic Safety Act, signed into law by California governor Gavin Newsom, will establish three yet-undetermined pilot regions where drivers can “salvage” meat from any animal accidentally killed by a vehicle. This “roadkill bill” will allow thousands of pounds of deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and wild pig meat to be put to use which might otherwise go to waste. The pilot program will last until 2029, and if successful, could see expansion to the entire state, according to the Orange County Register.

Sustainability is an important element of the bill, but according to California state Senator Bob Archuleta, it was authored with safety in mind. “When you look at the statistics, the number of injuries and accidents and fatalities, it’s about time,” Archuleta said. “If we can save one life, save one animal, I think we’ve done the right thing here.”

Free app with your roadkill meal

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