9/26/2005  -  PIERRE, S.D. – Antelope hunters who remove the meat in the field from their harvested antelope are reminded to properly dispose of the carcass and debris.

"Every year, we get complaints from landowners and Walk-In Area cooperators that antelope and deer carcasses and bags of debris have been showing up on their properties and road ditches," said Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer Bill Bushong of Faith. "These acts project a negative image on hunting and constitute a littering violation."

How can hunters properly dispose of antelope and deer carcasses? Bushong said most local landfills will take the unused portion of an animal carcass, including spoiled hides, in the residential waste if all of the parts are properly placed into the appropriate container. Proper disposal includes placing the carcass pieces in a plastic bag so it does not freeze to the sides of the container.

"People may also need to reduce the size of the carcass (rib cage, etc.) in order for it to properly fit into the container," he said. "If all else fails, the waste can be loaded into a pickup and taken directly to the landfill for a minimal cost."

Bushong noted that a little money can sometimes be made from the hide if hunters are willing to check for a local fur buyer. "If the deer has been skinned properly and the hide is in good shape, folks can sell it (usually around $4) or trade it for a pair of gloves or other merchandise," he said. "It is important to remember that the hide has to be in good shape and not spoiled in order to bring top dollar. Nobody will get rich selling a hide, but we should view this as our duty to sell the hide instead of just letting it take up space in the landfill. The money we get for selling the hide will more than take care of the landfill fees and the gasoline to drive the refuse to the landfill. On the other side, it will cost much more if a person is caught littering. "

Another issue is when city residents load up unwanted items and illegally dump them in the countryside to avoid paying landfill fees. Bushong noted that items dumped in rural ditches range from appliances to yard waste.

"The S.D. Legislature recognized the problem long ago and added a stiff penalty for illegal ‘ditch dumping’," he said. "South Dakota Codified Law 34A-17 provides a penalty of up to $1000 for a person convicted of littering an aggregate weight of more than five pounds. Additionally, the person who provides information leading to the conviction can receive 20 percent of the fine levied. The convicted person is usually ordered to clean up and dispose of litter in the area for a length of time."

-GFP-