Sumner County, TN
Bulk Animal Pickup in Sumner County
Sumner County Highway Department vs. Private Removal — Know Your Options
Sumner County residents have two options for dead deer and large animal removal on roads and highways: the Sumner County Highway Department's free road service and private wildlife removal companies. Here's what each covers — and when you need to call us instead.
Sumner County Highway Department
The Sumner County Highway Department handles dead animal removal from county-maintained roads and rights-of-way. This is a free public service for carcasses on county roads.
The Highway Department's service covers dead animals on Sumner County-maintained roads and rights-of-way. State highways (TN-109, US-31E, US-31W) are handled by TDOT, not the county.
How to request county pickup:
Call the Sumner County Highway Department at (615) 451-4709 during business hours. For state highway carcasses, contact TDOT at 1-800-342-3258.
Limitations of the County's Service
- Private property pickups are not provided — yards, driveways, and fields are not covered
- Response times vary and may take several days depending on workload
- No cleanup, sanitation, or odor treatment — carcass removal only
- State-maintained roads (TN-109, US-31E, US-31W) require a separate TDOT call
- No treatment for decomposition fluids, maggots, or lingering odor
- No scavenger deterrence after removal
- Service limited to county road jurisdiction — city streets in Hendersonville, Gallatin, and White House may fall under municipal departments
When to Call a Private Service
The Highway Department handles road-side carcasses on county roads, but private removal is the right call for residential property, decomposing carcasses, water-adjacent situations, or any time you need same-day service.
- Same-day response — no government call queue
- Private property service guaranteed — yards, driveways, ponds, and fields
- Full cleanup and sanitation, 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 the Sumner County Highway Department or a private service is the right call for your situation.
Dead deer on a Sumner County road
For carcasses on county-maintained roads, the Sumner County Highway Department at (615) 451-4709 is the appropriate first call. It's free and within their jurisdiction.
Dead deer on TN-109, US-31E, or a state highway
State-maintained roads fall under TDOT, not the county. Call TDOT at 1-800-342-3258 for carcasses on state routes. The county highway department cannot respond to these roads.
Dead deer in your yard, driveway, or field
The Highway Department only covers public roads. For carcasses on private property anywhere in Sumner County, a private service is your only option.
Deer that has been decomposing for days
The Highway Department 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 near the Cumberland River, a pond, or drainage area
Water-adjacent carcasses require careful extraction to prevent contamination. The Highway Department is not equipped for water recovery — this requires a private wildlife removal specialist.
Weekend or after-hours emergency
The Highway Department operates on standard county business hours. If you need same-day removal on a Saturday or Sunday, a private service is your only option.
Can't Wait for the County? We're Available Now.
The Highway Department operates on county business hours and may take days to respond. If you need same-day removal anywhere in Sumner County, call us directly.
Looking for full service area info for Sumner County?
View Sumner County Dead Deer Removal →Need Same-Day Service in Sumner County?
We respond fast anywhere in Sumner County — Hendersonville, Gallatin, White House, Goodlettsville, and beyond. NWCOA certified. TWRA permitted.