The Wisconsin DNR keeps a deer waste disposal sites map showing landfills, dumpsters and transfer stations willing to take deer carcass waste, plus a list of haulers for larger loads, and the DNR says carcass waste should end up in a landfill when possible because landfills are engineered to keep infected material away from the environment. Not every landfill takes it, so you still have to check.
Why does the carcass need to go to a landfill?
Landfills are built with liners and barriers between waste and the ground, which is why the DNR prefers them over burial or dumping on open land. The DNR says deer carcass waste should go to a landfill when possible, but not all landfills and transfer stations accept it, so a call ahead saves a wasted trip.
How do I find a site that takes deer carcasses?
Each entry on the DNR’s deer waste disposal sites map gives the facility’s name and location, a contact number, operating times, and any conditions the facility sets for how it wants the carcass handled, whether that’s bagged, whole, or something else. Call the listed number before you load the truck so you don’t drive out for nothing.
Can I trust that a site on the map still takes carcasses?
Mostly, but not always. The DNR built this list from a voluntary survey of businesses, so a landfill or transfer station that isn’t listed might still take carcasses, and one that is listed might have changed its policy since it answered the survey. Calling the number on the map before you drive out is the only way to know for sure on the day you need it.
Can I use any dumpster on the map, or just drop off my deer at a hauler?
It depends on the quantity and who you are. The dumpsters on the DNR map are not available for business-generated carcass waste, so a butcher shop or processor can’t use them for their own volume. The haulers listed separately on the page are there for larger quantities, from generators like butcher shops or organized collection sites, not for a single hunter with one deer.
Will my city or county just pick it up at the curb?
Some will. The DNR says many Wisconsin communities accept a single carcass through curbside pickup for residents, but policies differ by municipality, so call your local solid waste provider or your municipality before you set a carcass out. Ask what they want it in and when they run their pickup for carcass waste.
Should I bag the carcass before I haul it anywhere?
Yes. The DNR recommends putting the carcass in garbage bags if you’re taking it to a transfer station, a dumpster, or setting it out for curbside pickup, because bagging keeps the bins cleaner, cuts down on nuisance scavengers, and holds odor down while it sits. Tie the bag shut before you load it.
What happens to the head if I get it tested for CWD?
CWD testing through the DNR is free for deer harvested in Wisconsin, and at self-service kiosks you drop off the head with about 5 inches of neck still attached. The DNR disposes of the head properly once it has removed the tissue it needs for testing, so you don’t need a separate disposal plan for that part.
Is any of this actually free?
Only the CWD test itself. The DNR says testing through the DNR is free for deer harvested in Wisconsin, but nothing in the DNR’s disposal guidance says a landfill, dumpster, hauler, or curbside pickup is free of charge. Facilities set their own terms, which is exactly why the map gives you a number to call and ask before you show up.
Where am I not allowed to leave a carcass?
Public land, roadways, and private property that isn’t yours are all off the table without permission. The DNR says it’s illegal to dispose of carcass waste on public lands, roadways, or private property without permission, though field dressing your deer and leaving the gut pile on site, public or private, is still permitted. For more on roadkill specifically, see our dead deer roadkill guide, and for general disposal steps, see how to dispose of a dead animal.
What if the deer is in my yard and I can’t move it myself?
That’s a different problem than hauling a processed carcass to a landfill. A dead deer lying in your yard that you physically can’t lift goes through an independent operator where one covers the address; see dead deer removal or dead animal in yard removal for how that works. Check our list of Wisconsin locations to see what’s near you, including Madison, Green Bay, and Milwaukee.