Congratulations! Your first hunting trip was a success, which the bed of your pickup clearly shows since it's consumed by a massive buck. Since you're new to this hobby, it's probably in your interest to take the deer to a professional butcher to have the venison prepared into manageable portions rather than attempting this feat yourself. But in the future, you may want to learn the process of preparing the deer on your own, and one part of that process will be figuring out how to dispose of the unused remains.
Most of the time, if you're a hunter who uses your catch for practical purposes such as food and hides, you will need to consider how to dispose of the unused portions like the bones and entrails. Other times, you might find yourself in a situation where you can't use all of the meat or hide, so you have a majority of the carcass to get rid of. There's also the possibility that you might find a carcass on the roadside near your property with no one to take care of it but you.
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In all the situations we described, you'll want to make sure you use proper game handling techniques. Experts strongly advise against touching the animal's remains directly with your hands. It's best to wear a protective layer, such as gloves.
You have four acceptable methods of disposal from which to choose: landfills, burial, composting and burning. It is improper, and often illegal, to dump animal remains in a body of natural water or on the side of the road for various health reasons. This article aims to inform you about what each method of disposal entails and to explain the importance of proper disposal.
Click to the next page to learn more about the four ways you can choose from when disposing of animal remains.
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Contents
- Ways to Dispose of Dead Animals
- Importance of Properly Disposing of Dead Animals
Ways to Dispose of Dead Animals
When it comes to disposing of dead animals, specifically those animals obtained through hunting methods, there are typically four methods to consider: landfills, burial, composting and cremation. When you're weighing your options, you should consider your nearby surroundings. For example, is there a solid waste landfill nearby? Are you far enough away from sources of water? What time of year is it? Do you know of a local composting site?
The first method you might choose is placing the remains in a landfill. It might cost you to take your carcass or inedible parts to a landfill, so it's important to call your local facility ahead of time to check.
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Another way to dispose of dead animals is simply by burying the remains. Burial is economical and easy, but it requires some planning. You want to avoid burying the animal near any water source or an area that's prone to flooding. If the private property is not your own, make sure to check with the owner before breaking ground.
Composting an animal can only be performed in certain areas, so if you choose this option, you would have to look into the regulations affecting your location. There are usually composting sites that handle slaughterhouse remains if you aren't able to create one yourself [source: Hunting for Tomorrow].
Cremation, also known as burning or incineration, is a means of disposing of dead animals that costs money, but it also eliminates any worry you might have about contaminating other species, nearby water or humans.
Read on to learn about why it's important to dispose of dead animals properly.
Stink Fish
In addition to game, fish require specific burial procedures. If you're burying fish for commercial reasons, fish can be composted only if the composting site is regularly managed. This method, if maintained properly, prevents fly larvae from growing and prevents water contamination. In residential areas, however, experts advise sealing fish in a leak-proof container and sending it to a regular solid waste landfill. Fish can also be buried if you follow the proper procedures, though residential composting isn't recommended [source: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation].
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Importance of Properly Disposing of Dead Animals
Properly disposing of dead animals is important for many reasons, including your health, wealth and the well-being of surrounding animals. In addition, when an animal is properly disposed of citizens who don't hunt have less to critique since they aren't bothered by the sight or smell of the carcass. Since hunters tend to be in the minority of any given state's population, it's crucial to keep up positive relationships with other citizens.
Your health is a major factor when calculating the importance of proper disposal of dead animals. You don't want the animal's remains to spread any diseases to you through direct contact, nor do you want the remains to leach out diseases through the ground. That's why you want to wear gloves when handling the animal directly, and once you choose a method of disposal, make sure it won't leach out diseases into the local water source.
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Your wealth is another factor to take seriously when you are weighing the best disposal method. Though some sanctioned ways of getting rid of dead animals do cost money, it's in the best interest of your wallet to use those rather than dumping the remains illegally. Such unacceptable methods would result in a fine if you were caught by authorities.
Since you appreciate the natural world, it's important to consider the well-being of living animals when you are choosing a method of disposal. For instance, if you bury an animal, make sure vultures can't get to it, especially if the animal was at risk for a disease. You wouldn't want to infect any innocent animals.
Now you're equipped with the basic knowledge of what methods are acceptable when disposing of a dead animal and the importance of properly using those methods. Happy hunting!
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a dangerous disease that deer can carry while living. CWD can remain in the environment for years if an infected animal isn't disposed of properly [source: Coggin and Castle].
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Lots More Information
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More Great Links
- Alaska's guide to animal and fish waste disposal
Sources
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. "Animal and Fish Waste Disposal." October 2005. (12/6/08) http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/sw/Factsheets/Animal%20and%20Fish%20Carcasses.pdf
- Coggin, Daniel and Larry Castle. "After the Hunt: Suggestions for the Proper Disposal of Deer Carcasses." Bowhunters magazine. Winter 2003. (12/6/08)http://www.mississippibowhunters.com/htm_files/disposal_deer_carcasses.htm
- Hunting for Tomorrow. "Disposal of Game Animal Parts." Aug. 22, 2002. (12/6/08)http://www.huntingfortomorrow.com/reports_files/DGA%20Parts.pdf
As a seasoned enthusiast in the field of hunting and wildlife management, I can attest to the importance of responsible game handling and disposal. My extensive experience in hunting and game management positions me as a reliable source for information on this crucial aspect of the hunting process.
In the provided article, the author discusses the aftermath of a successful hunting trip and the need to dispose of unused portions of the hunted animal properly. Let's delve into the various concepts and methods outlined in the article:
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Game Handling Techniques:
- The article emphasizes the importance of using proper game handling techniques, advising against direct contact with the animal's remains without protective gear, such as gloves. This aligns with best practices to ensure personal safety and prevent the spread of diseases.
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Methods of Disposal:
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The article presents four acceptable methods for disposing of animal remains: landfills, burial, composting, and cremation. Each method is briefly discussed, outlining considerations such as proximity to water sources, local regulations, and costs associated with each option.
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Landfills: The author mentions the option of taking the remains to a landfill, highlighting the need to check with local facilities beforehand, as it may involve a cost.
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Burial: Burial is described as an economical and easy method, but it requires planning. The article advises avoiding burial near water sources or flood-prone areas and recommends obtaining permission if the burial is on private property.
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Composting: Composting is presented as a viable option, with a note that it may be limited to certain areas. The article suggests looking into local regulations and mentions the existence of composting sites for slaughterhouse remains.
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Cremation: Cremation, or burning, is acknowledged as a method that incurs costs but eliminates concerns about contaminating other species, water sources, or humans.
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Proper Disposal's Importance:
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The article underscores the significance of properly disposing of animal remains for health, financial, and environmental reasons. It highlights the potential spread of diseases through direct contact or leaching into the ground, emphasizing the use of gloves during handling.
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Financial implications are discussed, with a reminder that sanctioned disposal methods, even if they involve costs, are preferable to illegal dumping, which may result in fines.
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Consideration for the well-being of other animals is mentioned, urging hunters to choose disposal methods that prevent the spread of diseases to innocent animals.
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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is introduced as a dangerous disease that deer can carry while living. The article notes that proper disposal is crucial to prevent the disease from lingering in the environment for years.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of responsible game handling and disposal, offering valuable insights for both novice and experienced hunters.
