Remember to properly dispose of deer carcasses

With the 2020 deer hunting season underway, hunters are reminded by the Wisconsin DNR, to follow the deer carcass transport regulations and to dispose of deer carcass waste appropriately.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) can spread among deer by direct contact between animals and indirectly through exposure to environments contaminated with CWD prions, the protein that causes the disease. Exposure to an area where a CWD-positive carcass has decomposed, could be enough to cause infection in deer.

Because of this risk, it is vital that deer carcasses, including all bones and other deer carcass waste from butchering, are disposed of in a licensed landfill that accepts deer waste or in a dumpster designated for deer carcass waste.

Proper disposal of deer carcass waste is a factor in containing the spread of CWD. The DNR is committed to providing safe, convenient disposal options to hunters, especially in areas where options are limited or unavailable.

More locations will be added and available during the nineday gun deer season, because of individuals and organizations who are participate in the DNR’s Adopt-a-Dumpster program.

Whole deer carcasses and certain parts of carcasses from CWD-affected counties, can only be moved within CWD-affected counties and an adjacent county, unless going directly to a licensed taxidermist or meat processor, within 72 hours of registration.

Hunters in non-CWD affected counties, can also take this action voluntarily. Hunters from out of state, should be aware of their state’s carcass movement restrictions of deer harvested in Wisconsin, before heading home.

Whole carcasses and parts of carcasses other than those listed, from states and provinces where CWD has been detected, are not allowed to be brought into Wisconsin, unless taken to a licensed taxidermist or meat processor within 72 hours of entry into Wisconsin.

Hunters are encouraged to dispose of deer carcass waste in a licensed landfill that accepts this waste or in a dumpster designated for deer carcass waste. If a municipality allows deer disposal curbside or at a transfer station, the carcass should be double bagged.

A map with the CWD sampling locations and deer carcass disposal locations, is on the DNR website.