jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

No harm but be careful getting out of your car to do it. Sounds like the roads might have drivers on it that speed and don't pay much attention. I'd hate to see you turn into road kill.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

leftj, you are obviously not a wildlife photographer!
The rules about what is and is not wildlife photography and what is wildlife are very established and any true wildlife photographer will respect and abide by those rules. And no, they don't include all of the scenarios involving any type of enabling by baiting.
It's not about difficulty, it's about the situation in which the photography takes place, which in many cases translates directly to difficulty.
Yes, the OP can do anything he wants as long as he's not passing it off as wildlife or wildlife photography or breaking any laws!
SS

Shootist Loc: Wyoming

The gift that keeps on giving. I am amazed, amused and delighted that this discussion has taken on such a life. Sort of makes me think that I may have "baited" this outpouring of opinions (I wonder if I need a disclaimer or a mia culpa or just don't give a damn attitude; all seem to fit into the responses). I am finding these responses helpful, thought provoking and humorous, I wonder if we could get our national political discussion to be so diverse yet genial. Thanks to all of you for responding.

JBruce Loc: Northern MN

Having lived in similar western country, and recalling well how the locals think, I'd say do whatever the hell you want in moving/shooting roadkill. The locals and others passing through on such roads know what goes on, so they won't care one whit that your are getting some good use out of otherwise going-to-waste roadkill. GO FOR IT!!
JBruce

mikiSJ

The possession of a bald or golden eagle, or any part of one (feather) is a federal offense under the the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Even moving a bald or golden eagle carcass could get you into trouble and if the Fish and Wildlife Service officer has had a bad morning, you could be charged under either the the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Unauthorized persons found with an eagle or its parts in their possession can be fined up to $25,000.

https://www.fws.gov/eaglerepository/factsheets/PossessionOfEagleFeathersFactSheet.pdf

smiling fox Loc: Baltimore, md

Take fresh roadkill home, clean them and eat it. I have heard that many people actually eat FRESH/CLEAN roadkill.. the body cavity apparently needs to be in Tac. Lol.
Possum stew. Yummy. Hahaha.
Enjoy!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

You are right to ask about ethics in a situation such as this. There could be legal ramifications. I had thought about taking a beautiful road kill victim to a taxidermist but am glad I didn't. And genuine wildlife nature rules (if you intend to enter that field) are among the strictest in photography.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

I would contact your states Department of Enviormental Conservation or Department of Natural Resources and inquire on that. Some states require notification on any vehicle/animal unfortunate interactions. You might be running afoul of state law and/or regulations by collecting and/or moving the carcasses, regardless of whether you hit the animal or not. Also rgrenaderphoto makes a good point about changing the area predators established habits and patterns.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Yes, but that's because your a FOX and a dead possum will bring a smile to your face!!!
SS

Kuzano

Wow!! How pretty can the models be that you pay with "road kill"

Shootist Loc: Wyoming

This is going from serious to just plain fun. We all need to get together for a beer, I can practically gauarantee a hilarious meeting...right up to when they call in the men in white jackets.
This has been so much fun that I hesitated to remind you that my only interest is jackrabits.

Streets Loc: Euless, TX.

You are an "anyone but Trump" liberal aren't you? Yes you arrrrrrr. Most libs are pro-restrictions and anti-fun.
.

Mtn_Dog Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

The agency most likely to have a regulation regarding this topic is Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Start here: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Law-Enforcement/Field-Personnel-Contact-Info

Asking a bunch of strangers for quasi legal advice on an Internet forum is just not productive.
Entertaining as heck... but not productive.

As someone mentioned (re:eagles), even possession of a feather from some species will cook your goose. It's OK to drive over a dead bald eagle on the highway but don't get caught with any part of it in your possession. Some owls might have similar protections. Federal and State laws differ as to which animals are protected. Also, animals that can be hunted (or possessed) in some states are completely protected in others. California protects mountain lions, right down to their whiskers, claws and fur, for example.

Likewise, certain animals are often poached for their body parts. For example, there is a black market for bear gall bladders which are used in some Chinese medicine. Game wardens frequently find dead bear carcasses, intact except for the gall bladder.

Whatever you do, don't get caught with your critter corpses AND hunting gear, firearms, spotlights, camo clothing, or other gear that might cause an overzealous game warden to suspect you are really just a poacher with a wildly creative line of B.S. about "photography".

Mtn_Dog Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

Uh... prowl the Internet long enough and you'll probably find them! Yikes!

Kuzano

If the OP was talking about wild rabbit, pay attention to THIS. Wild rabbit is a primary source of Bubonic Plague for many years now. I quit hunting rabbit for meals at home many years ago. However if you know how to dress and cook rabbit right, you may not get the Bubonic Plague.

Ya takes yer chances.