SALEM, Ore.—Several times already this year, an OSP trooper has arrived at the scene of a vehicle collision with a deer or elk and the driver has asked if the animal can be salvaged and taken home. ODFW offices are also getting such requests.

The answer is no, not yet. New rules allowing drivers to lawfully salvage roadstruck deer and elk don’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2019.

Calls and questions about the new roadkill law are increasing because wildlife-vehicle collisions peak this time of year. According to ODOT statistics, there were 1,160 such collisions in November of last year and 1,052 in October, compared to just 377 in December 2016.