Davidson County, TN
Bulk Animal Pickup in Davidson County
Metro Nashville Public Works vs. Private Removal — Know Your Options
Davidson County residents have two options for dead deer and large animal removal: Metro Nashville's free bulk pickup service and private wildlife removal companies. Here's what each covers — and when you need to call us instead.
Metro Nashville Bulk Animal Pickup
Metro Nashville Public Works operates a bulk animal pickup service for Davidson County residents. This is a free government service funded by city taxes.
Metro's service covers dead animals on public roads, rights-of-way, and in some cases public property within Davidson County city limits.
How to request Metro pickup:
Call Metro Nashville Public Works at (615) 862-5000 during business hours. For after-hours or weekend requests, you may need to leave a message or call 311.
Limitations of Metro's Service
- Private property pickups are not guaranteed — Metro may decline residential yard calls
- Response times vary from same-day to several days depending on call volume
- No cleanup, sanitation, or odor treatment is included — just carcass removal
- Service is limited to Davidson County / Metro Nashville jurisdiction
- No treatment for decomposition fluids, maggots, or lingering odor
- Scavenger deterrence is not provided after removal
When to Call a Private Service
Metro's service is a good starting point for road-side carcasses, but private removal is often the better choice for residential property, time-sensitive situations, or cases involving decomposition.
- Same-day response — we don't operate on a government call queue
- Private property service guaranteed — your yard, driveway, or pond
- Full cleanup and sanitation included, not just carcass removal
- Odor neutralization and soil treatment for decomposition sites
- Maggot and fly control at the removal site
- Available evenings and weekends
- NWCOA certified and TWRA permitted — fully legal disposal
Which Service Should You Call?
Use this guide to decide whether Metro Nashville or a private service is the right call for your situation.
Dead deer on a public road or highway
For carcasses on TDOT-maintained roads or Metro right-of-way, Metro Public Works or TDOT is the appropriate first call. It's free and it's their jurisdiction.
Dead deer in your yard or driveway
Metro may not respond to private property calls, and response times can stretch to days. For your own property, a private service is faster and more reliable.
Deer that has been decomposing for days
Metro removes the carcass but does not treat the site. If decomposition has started, you need cleanup, odor treatment, and soil remediation — services only a private company provides.
Dead deer in a pool, pond, or drainage ditch
Water-adjacent carcasses require careful extraction to avoid contamination. Metro is not equipped for water recovery — this requires a private wildlife removal specialist.
Weekend or after-hours emergency
Metro Public Works operates on standard government hours. If you need same-day removal on a Saturday or Sunday, a private service is your only option.
Vultures or scavengers attracted to the site
Once scavengers are present, the situation requires deterrence treatment after removal. Metro does not provide scavenger management — a private service does.
Can't Wait for Metro? We're Available Now.
Metro Nashville's queue can stretch to several days. If you need same-day removal in Davidson County, call us directly.
Looking for full service area info for Davidson County?
View Davidson County Dead Deer Removal →Need Same-Day Service in Davidson County?
We respond fast anywhere in Davidson County — Nashville, Antioch, Hermitage, Madison, and beyond. NWCOA certified. TWRA permitted.