Williamson County, TN
Bulk Dead Animal Pickup in Williamson County
TDOT & Williamson County Road Services vs. Private Removal — Know Your Options
Williamson County residents have options for dead deer and large animal removal on roads and highways. TDOT handles state routes, the county handles county roads, and private services handle everything else. Here's what each covers — and when you need to call us instead.
TDOT — Tennessee Department of Transportation
TDOT's Region 3 office covers state-maintained roads in Williamson County, including I-65, US-31, US-431, TN-96, TN-100, and other state routes. This is a free service for carcasses on state roads.
TDOT handles dead animal removal on all state-maintained highways and interstates in Williamson County. This includes I-65, US-31 (Columbia Pike), TN-96 (Murfreesboro Road), TN-100, and US-431. County roads and private property are not TDOT's responsibility.
How to request TDOT pickup:
Call TDOT Region 3 at (615) 350-4400 during business hours for carcasses on state-maintained roads in Williamson County. For after-hours state highway emergencies, call TDOT's 24-hour line at 1-800-342-3258.
Limitations of TDOT's Service
- Private property is not covered — yards, driveways, and fields require a private service
- County-maintained roads are handled by Williamson County Road Department, not TDOT
- Response times vary and may take several days depending on workload and road priority
- No cleanup, sanitation, or odor treatment — carcass removal only
- No treatment for decomposition fluids, maggots, or lingering odor
- No scavenger deterrence after removal
- Service limited to state highway right-of-way
When to Call a Private Service
TDOT handles state road carcasses, but private removal is the right call for residential property, decomposing carcasses, water-adjacent situations, county roads with slow response, 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 TDOT, the county, or a private service is the right call for your situation in Williamson County.
Dead deer on I-65, US-31, TN-96, or another state highway
For carcasses on TDOT-maintained roads in Williamson County, call TDOT Region 3 at (615) 350-4400. It's free and within their jurisdiction. For after-hours state highway calls, use 1-800-342-3258.
Dead deer on a Williamson County road
County-maintained roads fall under the Williamson County Road Department, not TDOT. Contact the county directly for carcasses on county roads. TDOT cannot respond to county road requests.
Dead deer in your yard, driveway, or field
Neither TDOT nor the county covers private property. For carcasses anywhere on your Williamson County property — Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station — a private service is your only option.
Deer that has been decomposing for days
TDOT 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 a pond, creek, or drainage area
Water-adjacent carcasses require careful extraction to prevent contamination. TDOT is not equipped for water recovery — this requires a private wildlife removal specialist.
Weekend or after-hours emergency on private property
TDOT operates on standard government hours for non-emergency private property requests. If you need same-day removal on a Saturday or Sunday, a private service is your only option.
Can't Wait for TDOT? We're Available Now.
TDOT's queue can stretch to several days, and they don't cover private property at all. If you need same-day removal anywhere in Williamson County, call us directly.
Looking for full service area info for Williamson County?
View Williamson County Dead Deer Removal →Need Same-Day Service in Williamson County?
We respond fast anywhere in Williamson County — Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, and beyond. NWCOA certified. TWRA permitted.