A dead deer lying in or near water on your property this fall in Washington, Ozaukee, Sheboygan or Fond du Lac is very likely a sign of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, known as EHD, and DNR says its staff cannot come collect or remove a deer suspected of dying from it. That carcass is yours to deal with.
What is EHD, and why do the deer end up in water?
EHD is a virus spread by biting midges, the small gnats some people call no-see-ums. Infected deer run a fever, and DNR says they often lie in water to cool down or drink, which is why bodies turn up in ponds, creeks and ditches rather than in the woods. Other signs include excessive salivation, foam around the nose and mouth, and a deer that looks weak enough to let a person walk right up to it.
Is this really happening in my county?
As of Oct. 12, 2026, DNR’s EHD page lists the outbreak as confirmed in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Washington counties and one other county, with suspected cases in Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties and two others. The first confirmed deer this season were found dead near Richfield and West Bend in August, and DNR’s news release on that discovery noted that many of the reports it received described healthy-looking, dead deer found in or near water right on the landowner’s own property.
The county numbers DNR publishes aren’t confirmed lab cases. They’re estimates built from community members and biologists reporting sick or dead deer with signs that match EHD. As of Oct. 12, 2026, DNR’s estimate for Washington County is just over 1,300. Ozaukee County is around 140 as of Oct. 12, 2026. Sheboygan County is around 20 as of Oct. 12, 2026. In Fond du Lac, DNR estimates fewer than 10 as of Oct. 12, 2026.
Will the DNR come out and remove the deer?
No. DNR says its staff cannot collect or remove deer suspected of dying from EHD, and the virus doesn’t survive in the carcass anyway, so there’s no outbreak reason for a crew to haul it off. DNR has also said more generally that in most cases it doesn’t have the resources to remove dead animals, including deer. Filing a report with DNR logs the sighting for tracking purposes, even when no sample is collected or tested.
Is it safe to be around, or to eat venison from a healthy deer?
EHD does not infect people, whether through handling an infected deer, eating venison from one, or being bitten by the midges that carry it. That said, DNR advises against handling any found-dead wild animal when you can avoid it, since other pathogens could be present. If you do need to move a carcass, wear gloves, use good hygiene, and never touch it with bare hands; move it with gloves or an inverted plastic bag.
When does this stop?
EHD outbreaks typically run from August through October and taper off once the first hard frost kills the midges that spread the virus. DNR expects the local deer population to rebound fairly quickly afterward, based on natural recruitment. Domestic cattle can also catch EHD, though DNR says signs in cattle are often minimal or absent.
What are my options for the carcass on my own property?
DNR describes options for a landowner with a dead deer: bury it on the property, use a deer carcass waste dumpster if one’s available in fall, leave it where it lies, or ask your municipality to pick it up, something DNR says isn’t something you can count on. If you bury it, go deep enough that scavengers can’t dig it back up; DNR doesn’t give a depth. Dumping a carcass on public land, a roadway, or someone else’s property without permission is illegal.
DNR’s preferred endpoint is a landfill, since landfills are engineered to keep infected material away from other deer and the environment, but not every landfill or transfer station takes deer carcass waste. Many communities will take a single carcass at the curb. Call your hauler or municipality first, and bag the carcass before it goes out, whether that’s a dumpster, a transfer station, or curbside.
What if the deer is somewhere I can’t reach, like in a pond?
A deer you can’t lift or reach safely, floating in a pond or wedged in a creek, is a different problem than one lying in the yard. For that situation, an independent operator is the private route homeowners in Washington, Ozaukee, Sheboygan or Fond du Lac use, where an operator covers the address and confirms availability on the call. See the general dead deer removal service page, or the broader dead deer and roadkill guide and disposal guide for more on carrying, bagging and disposal steps.
Should I report it to DNR?
Yes, especially if it’s recently dead rather than badly bloated or decomposed. DNR tracks the outbreak through the Sick/Dead Wildlife Reporting Form, by email at DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov, or by calling 608-267-0866. Include the date, how many deer you found, their body condition, the exact location including the county, and your contact information. DNR only tests a limited number of deer, mostly to confirm new counties, so a report usually doesn’t mean a visit or a test result, but every report gets logged and counts toward tracking how far the outbreak has spread.
If you’re in or near West Bend, Port Washington, Sheboygan or Fond du Lac, the local pages for West Bend, Port Washington, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac have more on what’s available in each area.