Motorists Salvage Fur, Food From Critters' Demise

Published January 7, 2012 8:36PM (EST)

CASEYVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A new Illinois law is letting people with a furbearer license salvage pelts or even food from roadkill.

The law comes as pelts from certain wild animals are fetching the highest prices in years with strong demand in Russia, China and other countries where they are valued more for their warmth than as a fashion statement.

A raccoon skin routinely gets about $9, red fox $14 and muskrat $6.50, with top dollar often twice that amount.

Twenty-six-year-old Cody Champ of Dix welcomes the opportunity provided by the new law. Since October, he's skinned a mink and three raccoons he found dead on the road.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 14 states have laws related to roadkill, including those that let motorists' keep animals they hit.


By Salon Staff

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