Good news, Illinois has made it legal for you to scoop all the dead critters you find by the side the road or ones you accidentally hit … either for the pelts or for eatin’ … and I know you know this but just in case …

Game meat must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees to kill any bacteria, but partake of roadkill at your own peril.

“There are some species that are eaten, particularly raccoon,” said Bob Bluett, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “But it depends on what shape it’s in and how long it’s been there. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

So, put down the cell phone, Illinois-ites, you have to scan the byways that much closer … DINNER!

From the USAToday … and no, I’m not going to re-use their photo.

In case you need some recipes … there are plenty to choose from …