Carcass restrictions are part of a comprehensive strategy in keeping Minnesota’s deer, elk and moose healthy by limiting the spread of disease. Rules associated with carcasses affect both deer harvested with a Minnesota CWD management zone as well as carcasses harvested outside of Minnesota being brough back into the state.
Carcass disposal of deer harvested in a CWD management zone
Carcass disposal rules have replaced carcass movement restrictions.
Hunters who harvest a deer in a CWD management zone are now required to dispose of the carcass in a way that limits potential CWD transmission and spread. Carcasses are now permitted to leave the zone immediately under this new rule if the hunter chooses to do so. Legal means of disposal include:
In a sanitary landfill, either through your refuse hauler or by visiting your local landfill.
By bringing the deer to a Minnesota licensed meant processor.
By bringing the deer or parts of the deer to a Minnesota licensed taxidermist. This may require that you dispose of parts not being utilized by the taxidermist in another method.
Leaving the carcass on the private property in which it was harvested with permission of the landowner.
If deer harvested in a CWD management zone have a not detected CWD test result the carcass may be disposed of in any other legal manner.
Hunters who harvest deer outside of a CWD management zone are not subject to the carcass disposal rule. However, it is recommended that they dispose of carcasses in ways that limit the possibility of disease spread such as:
On private property the deer was harvested onland with the permission of the landowner.
Through your refuse hauler after checking on how to properly bag the carcass.
At a local landfill.
Hunters may not dispose of carcasses (including head or spine) on public land, including wildlife management areas, state forests, road rights-of-way or in any water body.
The use of carcasses or parts of carcasses as bait for trapping remains legal within applicable laws; however, the unlawful deposit of carcasses not associated with legal baiting or field dressing constitutes litter.
Importing carcasses of deer or other cervids harvested outside the state
It is illegal to import whole deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses into Minnesota. This prohibition applies to all U.S. states, Canadian provinces, or other areas, regardless of their CWD status.
Only the following parts of deer or other cervids may be brought into Minnesota:
Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
Meat that is boned out or that is cut and wrapped (either commercially or privately).
Hides and teeth.
Antlers or clean (no brain tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached.
Finished taxidermy mounts.
Heads from cervids with or without the cape and neck attached that originate from outside Minnesota may be transported into the state only if they are delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering the state.
Non-residents transporting whole or partial carcasses on a direct route through Minnesota are exempt from this restriction.
- What if I harvest a deer or other cervid outside of Minnesota that I want to have mounted?
- Plan ahead and be proactive. Plan for your taxidermy in the same way you would plan for keeping your meat cold.
Prior to hunting, contact your preferred taxidermist who can help you develop a plan for that trophy animal.
You will need to cape your animal before bringing it into Minnesota. Either:
Contact a taxidermist near your hunting destination. They will cape animals for a small fee. You can then bring the cape and antlers home to your taxidermist; or
Cape the animal yourself. This video demonstrates the caping process so that you are able to legally bring your harvest into Minnesota and minimize the risk of spreading CWD.
You can bring a whole intact head with the hide and portion of the neck into the state only if it is brought to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering the state. Make sure you contact a licensed taxidermist ahead of time and have a plan to transport it to them within 48 hours of entering the state.
Minnesota law prohibts importing all cervid carcasses and parts except for:
Cut and wrapped meat.
Quarters or other parts of the meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
Antlers, hides and teeth.
Finished taxidermy mounts.
Antlers attached to skull caps that are cleaned of all brain tissue.
Heads from cervids with or without the cape and neck attached that originate from outside Minnesota may be transported into the state only if they are delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering the state.