This post was difficult for me to write. I don’t want to offend anyone but I think the information is valuable to those who wish to have it, therefore this post was born. The use of animals parts in magic is not my expertise and if you need more information about using animals in witchcraft, you may wish to search elsewhere.
Wild animals are under pressure due to the overpopulation of humans and the destruction of their natural habitat. For the most part, I would recommend avoiding the use of wild animals in your practice. If you are a hunter, who takes wild animals*** from nature in a responsible way, I see nothing wrong with using the bones, and other body parts that you don’t plan on using for food, as magical materials. If you come across roadkill or an otherwise dead wild animal, I don’t think it is wasteful to collect it’s parts for your own personal use. I don’t think it’s responsible or respectful to actively kill wild animals for magical purposes, but this decision is ultimately up to you.
***Specifically deer, a prey species, whose natural predators, cougars and wolves, are less prevalent in nature. Deer populations cannot be kept in balance without hunters.
Alternatively, domesticated animals, like pigs, cows and chickens are part of the human environment: the survival of their species is not at risk and depends on humans. Some witches may choose to raise these animals both for their products (meat, eggs, milk) and their magical properties. Again, it is up to you if you want to use animals in this way.
Another option, the one I use and recommend, does not involve taking life at all. I follow a vegetarian diet 50% of the time, and a vegan diet the other 50% of the time. I do not have any desire to kill an animal for magical workings. If I come across an animal that is already dead, there is a chance I will collect it and use it, but usually I will perform a funeral of some sort and leave the animal where I found it. My method involves a collection of plastic animals. I charge each animal with the special power, symbolism and gifts of living animals through meditation. These animals can then be used in much the same way as one would use their “real life” counterpart.