With big game hunting season in full swing, Mineral County hunters have five designated locations where they can dispose of deer and elk carcasses properly and help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. 

The dumpsters, located at sites spread along Interstate 90, provide hunters with a convenient way to discard animal remains rather than risk spreading the disease by illegally dumping carcasses in unauthorized locations.

“We have five carcass dumpster sites in Mineral County this year spread along I-90,” said Sam Martinez, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 2 wildlife biologist based in Missoula. The five locations are:

• Mullan Gulch Road (4-Mile Road): On private property belonging to Denley Loge, about one mile west of the four-way flashing light in St. Regis.
• Diamond Road gravel pit: Just west of mile marker 1 on Diamond Road, south of I-90 in Superior.
• Petty Creek Fishing Access: At the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fishing access site on Petty Creek Road in Alberton.
• Storm Peak Trailhead: In the trailhead parking area.
• Haugan Weigh Station: At the weigh station in the west end of the county.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease affecting deer, elk and other members of the deer family. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage the brain and nervous system. 

According to state wildlife experts, infected animals, whether alive or dead, can contribute to the spread of the disease. Scientists believe the infectious prions spread through body fluids, including saliva, blood, urine and feces. 

Transmission can occur through direct contact between animals or indirectly when soil, food or water becomes contaminated. Those infectious prions can persist in the environment, making improper disposal of an infected animal a concern well beyond hunting season. 

Dumping carcasses along roadsides, on public land or in other unauthorized locations can spread disease and create additional problems for wildlife, landowners and the community. Proper disposal helps reduce the risk of moving potentially infected remains into new areas.

The state wildlife agency advises hunters to bag and dispose of carcass parts, including the brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands and spinal cord material, in a landfill or leave them at the site where the animal was killed. Hunters should follow current regulations and local disposal guidance, including the use of designated chronic wasting disease dumpsters where available.

According to the state, the disease was first detected in Region 2 in November 2023. The initial detection was in a mule deer buck harvested in Hunting District 213, west of Deer Lodge. 

Chronic wasting disease was first detected in Montana's wild deer in 2017.

Although the disease cannot be eliminated simply by properly disposing of carcasses, responsible handling and disposal are important steps in reducing the risk of spreading infectious material to new locations. Hunters should take precautions when field-dressing and processing harvested animals. Hunters also should follow current state guidance on chronic wasting disease testing, carcass transportation and disposal requirements for the hunting district where an animal was harvested.

Using the county's designated dumpsters is one practical way hunters can help protect Montana's wildlife. Keeping potentially infectious remains out of unauthorized dumping sites helps protect local deer and elk herds and their environs.