PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania wildlife officials say they field a few thousand requests a year from people who want to harvest a deer or turkey killed by vehicular traffic.

WESA-FM reported this week that the state Game Commission received more than 3,300 inquiries for a permit this year through mid-December. That’s considered about average.

The station says people can collect a dead deer or turkey from the roadway and take it home, but they have to call their regional Game Commission office within a day to get the OK.

The permits are free. Officials tell the station they’re most commonly requested in the state’s southeastern and southwestern corners.

The animals’ nonedible parts must be thrown out or given to the Game Commission, or they can be purchased.

Want to take home roadkill? Call your local game warden and get permission — That's the general rule of thumb.