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Disposal of Harvested Deer from North Carolina and Transport of Harvested Cervids from outside North Carolina

Since CWD was first detected in North Carolina in March 2022, preventing its accidental spread to new parts of the state has become a crucial management goal. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease in deer that spreads via infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer or the movement of deer carcasses and carcass parts; deer that appear healthy may still be infected and able to spread CWD. Hunters, taxidermists, and meat processors can help stop the spread of CWD by following the restrictions below on importation and disposal of cervid carcasses and carcass parts.

Carcass Disposal Restrictions For Cervids (Deer) Originating from North Carolina

The final disposition (either directly by a hunter or indirectly when hunters use a processor, taxidermist, or trash service) of non-edible portions of cervid carcasses and carcass parts originating from North Carolina shall be in one of the following methods:

• in a lined landfill
• buried 3 feet below ground and 300 feet from a waterbody; or
• lawfully left on the ground within the county of origin.

Disposing of deer or any other animal remains on roadsides, waterways or on property you don’t own or lease (without permission or where restricted) is illegal in North Carolina.

Carcass and Carcass parts Restrictions For Cervids (including deer) Originating from outside North Carolina 

It is unlawful to import, transport, or possess a cervid carcass or cervid carcass parts originating from outside North Carolina, except for the following:

• meat that has been boned out such that no pieces or fragments of bone remain;
• caped hides with no part of the skull or spinal column attached;
• antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, or skulls with no meat or brain tissue attached;
• cleaned lower jawbone(s) with teeth or cleaned teeth; or 
• finished taxidermy products and tanned hides

These parts or their containers must be labeled with the individual’s name and address; state, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin; date the cervid was killed; and the individual’s hunting license number, permit number, or equivalent identification from the state, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin.

Cervid species include white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou/reindeer, red deer, sika deer, axis deer, and fallow deer.

How Hunters can Responsibly Dispose of Deer Remains

• Bury your harvest: Whenever possible, bury your deer on the property where the animal was harvested. Burial elsewhere is acceptable, but if done outside the county of harvest, the deer remains must be buried 3 feet below ground and 300 feet from a waterbody, which is deep enough to prevent scavengers from reaching the material.
• Lined landfills: Double bag the deer remains for disposal at the closest lined landfill. Contact your area landfill or solid waste management provider for local policies and more information.
• Leave in place: Deer remains may be left on the ground in the county where the animal was harvested. While this will not prevent other deer or scavengers from coming into contact with potentially infected parts, at least those parts will remain in the same county where the deer was taken.