Mississippi guide
Mississippi Deer Carcass and CWD Rules
Chronic wasting disease has brought carcass-transport rules to parts of Mississippi. MDWFP's CWD guide and much of its explanatory text are written for hunters, and the MDWFP pages we reviewed do not say how the transport rule applies to a deer found dead.
Built from MDWFP's CWD pages, its 2026-2027 zone map and guide, and the state administrative code. Last checked 5 October 2026.
What are the deer carcass rules in Mississippi?
MDWFP's rule makes it unlawful to transport any portion of a cervid (deer) carcass outside an MDWFP-defined CWD Management Zone, and to bring carcass parts into Mississippi from another state. For 2026-2027 there are three zones: North Mississippi, Issaquena and Harrison. MDWFP asks the public to report deer found emaciated, lame or immobile, or dead with no obvious cause of death.
For an animal on your own property. Calls reach this site's routing line, which passes them to an independent operator where one covers the area.
Where are the 2026-2027 CWD Management Zones?
MDWFP's 2026-2027 zones are the North Mississippi zone, which takes in all of Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties plus parts of Coahoma, Pontotoc, Quitman and Tunica; the Issaquena zone, which MDWFP's list describes as parts of Issaquena County and all portions of Warren and Claiborne counties; and the Harrison zone, which covers west Harrison and east Hancock counties and has been in effect since February 16, 2024. Zone lines can follow highways rather than county borders, so check MDWFP's current map for the exact boundary.
Source: MDWFP, 2026-2027 CWD Management Zones map, checked 2026-10-05.
What does the carcass transport rule say?
The rule, at 40 Miss. Admin. Code Part 2, Rule 2.7, makes it unlawful to transport any portion of a cervid carcass outside an MDWFP-defined CWD Management Zone, and to bring carcass parts into Mississippi from another state. MDWFP lists the parts that may leave a zone: deboned meat, bone-in quarters with no spine or head attached, cleaned antlers and skull plates, hides, and finished taxidermy.
Source: Mississippi Administrative Code, Title 40 Part 2, checked 2026-10-05.
Does the rule cover a deer found dead on my land?
MDWFP's pages we reviewed do not say. If the deer is inside a zone, ask MDWFP at 1-800-BE-SMART before the carcass leaves the zone.
Source: MDWFP, Carcass Transportation, checked 2026-10-05.
Should I report a dead deer?
MDWFP asks the public to report deer found emaciated, lame or immobile, or dead with no obvious cause of death. Reports go through the MDWFP app, mdwfp.com/cwd or 1-800-BE-SMART. MDWFP's online form asks for the species, date, location and a contact name and phone number.
Source: MDWFP, Chronic Wasting Disease, checked 2026-10-05.
What does MDWFP say about disposing of deer parts?
For hunter-harvested deer, MDWFP's 2026-2027 CWD guide recommends leaving unwanted parts at the harvest site, double-bagging them for an approved lined landfill, or burying them 8 feet deep or more, and says not to compost or render them. That guidance is written for hunters. We found no MDWFP disposal advice written for a deer found dead.
Source: MDWFP, 2026-2027 CWD Guide, checked 2026-10-05.
What about a deer on the road?
For a state highway, Lafayette County's website says the Mississippi Department of Transportation handles dead animals in the roadway and gives (601) 359-7001, and Olive Branch's website lists 1-866-521-MDOT (6368) for state-maintained roads. Neither is an MDOT page; MDOT's own contact page could not be read when this guide was checked. City streets and county roads belong to the city or county. DeSoto County lists "Large dead animals/deer blocking roads in unincorporated areas of the county" under its Road Management department, 662-469-8025, and Hattiesburg's sanitation department removes dead animals in the rights-of-way of city roads.
Source: Lafayette County, checked 2026-10-05.
Pages for your case
- DeerA deer that died in a yard, a field edge or a ditch on your land. In the CWD zone counties, check MDWFP's map before a carcass leaves the zone.
- In the yardAn animal in the open, the easiest case to reach. Some city routes for homes may cover it, so check yours first.
Related questions
Is my county in a CWD zone?
The North Mississippi zone includes all of Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties and parts of Coahoma, Pontotoc, Quitman and Tunica. The Issaquena zone takes in parts of Issaquena County and, on MDWFP's list, all portions of Warren and Claiborne counties; the Harrison zone covers west Harrison and east Hancock counties. Check MDWFP's current map for exact lines.
Can a deer carcass leave a CWD zone?
MDWFP's rule makes it unlawful to transport any portion of a cervid carcass outside a CWD Management Zone. MDWFP lists deboned meat, bone-in quarters with no spine or head, cleaned antlers and skull plates, hides and finished taxidermy as parts that may leave.
Who do I call to report a sick deer?
MDWFP takes reports through its app, mdwfp.com/cwd or 1-800-BE-SMART.
Does the CWD rule apply to a deer found dead on my land?
MDWFP's pages we reviewed do not say. If the deer is inside a CWD Management Zone, ask MDWFP at 1-800-BE-SMART before the carcass leaves the zone.
By county or city: Jackson Β· Madison County Β· DeSoto County Β· Gulfport and Biloxi Β· Hattiesburg
Other guides: Who picks up dead animals Β· How to dispose of a dead animal
Every source behind this guide, with its date, is on the sources page. Spotted a change at an agency? The contact form reaches us.
No public route for an animal on your own land? Call 601-748-7970 and describe it, or send the details.