Am I allowed to take an animal I have hit with my car in Norway?
No — you cannot take an animal you have hit, but you must report it. If you hit game such as moose, deer, roe deer or reindeer, you must immediately report it to the police on 02800, who alert the municipal wildlife team. Use 112 only where there is acute danger to life and health. You have a duty to help an injured animal under the Animal Welfare Act §4, but you should not euthanise large game yourself if an owner, vet or the police can be reached. The animal you hit belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund. Here is what people get backwards: the collision itself is not a crime — failing to report it is. Secure the scene, mark where the animal ran into the forest, and give the position. Necessary costs of helping wildlife are covered by the state, not by you.
📋 The rules
- You cannot take a hit animal
- Report a wildlife collision to the police on 02800 at once
- Duty to help an injured animal (Animal Welfare Act §4)
- The animal belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund
- Mark where the animal ran into the forest
🔓 Exceptions
- You can euthanise the animal only if it clearly cannot survive and an owner, vet or police cannot be reached
- Necessary costs of helping wildlife are covered by the state, not by you
- Use 112 only in an acute danger to life and health
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The collision itself is not a crime, but failing to report a wildlife collision is — and that is precisely the duty people breach, often because they assume an animal that ran off will be fine. Taking the carcass is also unlawful appropriation of municipal property, since the animal you hit belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund. Fear of the bill is no reason to drive on either: necessary costs of helping wildlife are covered by the state, not by you. The only thing that actually costs you something is failing to call 02800.
📎 Official sources
- Environment Agency · Helping injured wildlife →
- Animal Welfare Act §4 · Lovdata →
- NJFF · Handling a wildlife collision →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I take an animal I have hit?
No. The animal you hit belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund, and taking the carcass is unlawful appropriation of municipal property. You must report the collision to the police instead.
What must I do if I hit game?
You must immediately report it to the police on 02800, who alert the municipal wildlife team. Secure the scene, mark where the animal ran into the forest, and give the position so the search can start quickly.
Do I have a duty to help the animal?
Yes. Under the Animal Welfare Act §4 you have a duty to help an animal that is clearly injured or helpless. Necessary costs of helping wildlife are covered by the state, so the duty does not cost you money.
Can I euthanise an injured animal myself?
Only if it clearly cannot survive and an owner, vet or the police cannot be reached within reasonable time. If they can be reached, do not euthanise large game yourself — report it on 02800 and wait for the wildlife team.
Is it a crime to hit an animal?
The collision itself is not a crime, but failing to report a wildlife collision is punishable. Use 02800 for the report, and 112 only where there is acute danger to life and health — taking the carcass is a separate offence.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I take roadkill norway”
- “wildlife collision report police 02800”
- “hit a moose what to do”
- “duty help injured animal”
- “hit animal belongs municipality”
- “fallen game wildlife fund”