# Help dealing with decomposition **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924 "2021-05-26T01:06:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/1 "2021-05-26T01:06:46Z")
Sat down to enjoy breakfast this morning when in through the open windows wafts the odor of decomp. Put on shoes and walked toward the stink. About 150 - 200 yards from the house is a dead dear. He’s outside of the horses pasture in the woods along the fence line. Stinks like a mf. What can we do to deal with the odor? If we do nothing, how long will it persist? When the winds shift it is very unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/2 "2021-05-26T01:10:31Z")
The first thing that came to mind was using lime to aid in decomposition, and I found this as a quick reference as well: [https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/beef/disposal-animal-mortality-byproducts#:~:text=The%20dead%20animal%20should%20be,[ORS%20601.090(7)].&text=This%20method%20is%20not%20acceptable,animal%20byproducts%20generated%20during%20butchering](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/beef/disposal-animal-mortality-byproducts#:~:text=The%20dead%20animal%20should%20be,%5BORS%20601.090(7)%5D.&text=This%20method%20is%20not%20acceptable,animal%20byproducts%20generated%20during%20butchering). But I would want you to check with your local/state requirements, as this one is specific to Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/3 "2021-05-26T01:12:31Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > a dead dear How do you know? He might have been a complete asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/4 "2021-05-26T01:13:02Z")
I’ve heard they can naturally decay in a week or two ETA: in summertime, depending on size. Or you can always hire an exterminator to take care of it for you ($$$). If it is out of season and was shot you will want to contact the authorities (not by emergency number) and they may want to look into possible poaching. Assuming you aren’t in an urban area since you mention a horse pasture. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/5 "2021-05-26T01:14:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > dear OMG. Deer. A buck in velvet. Guess who’s drinking ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/6 "2021-05-26T01:18:04Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Assuming you aren’t in an urban area since you mention a horse pasture. Yeah, we’re in the country. I wanted to poke around looking for evidence of trauma. Couldn’t quite do it though. Too early in the morning. He could have been hit by a car and made it this far, or shot by some asswipe. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/7 "2021-05-26T01:19:07Z")
If you have bears in the woods you might get “lucky” tonight. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/8 "2021-05-26T01:20:48Z")
I have never had to dispose of a large animal. But I have read a lot on the theory of managing compost piles. And if you mix enough “brown” with your “green” (which is what is usually high in nitrogen in a compost pile) the pile doesn’t stink. Try dropping a truckload of dry leaves or woodchips over it. Those are “brown”. And just burying it will reduce the amount the odor will drift. You want to use something fluffy, so oxygen still gets in and it does, actually rot. Or use lime. I think that’s what people used to do for human bodies, so it’s probably good for deer carcasses, too. I’ve never used lime for anything. But if you have a lot of “brown” organic matter already around, it will likely help. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/9 "2021-05-26T01:21:02Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > [Disposal of animal](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/beef/disposal-animal-mortality-byproducts#:~:text=The%20dead%20animal%20should%20be,%5BORS%20601.090(7)%5D.&text=This%20method%20is%20not%20acceptable,animal%20byproducts%20generated%20during%20butchering). Yeah, took a bale of hay over, will cover that with manure tomorrow. Composting seems the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/10 "2021-05-26T01:22:14Z")
Anytime I’ve dumped agricultural lime on a carcass it has continued to stink. I’ll see if composting is better., ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/11 "2021-05-26T01:23:16Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > If you have bears in the woods you might get “lucky” tonight. > > ~Max Or, there’s this. Every so often I find half a dead bunny. The cat, or some hawk, or something ate the other half. I used to dump the rest into our compost heap, where it would rapidly disappear. But moving it was nasty. Now I just leave it out. It’s always gone by the next day. Of course, lots of things can eat half a rabbit. Raccoon, owl, fox, etc. And the rabbits always go away before they stink. So you may not have suitable scavengers to deal with a whole deer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/12 "2021-05-26T01:23:45Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I have never had to dispose of a large animal. I hope you never have to. We have an excavator who has buried horses for us when it was necessary. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/13 "2021-05-26T01:24:43Z")
Whatever you do, don’t get a couple tons of dynamite. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/V6CLumsir34/hqdefault.jpg "Exploding Whale 50th Anniversary, Remastered!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CLumsir34) Lest you velocitate venison verily. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/14 "2021-05-26T01:25:01Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > If you have bears in the woods you might get “lucky” tonight. We’ve been bringing in our bird feeders at night because of a mischievous black bear! ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/15 "2021-05-26T01:25:14Z")
Nuk, nuk, nuk, nuk, nuk, ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/16 "2021-05-26T01:26:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Whatever you do, don’t get a couple tons of dynamite. Heh, when I lived in Philthadelphia I was a volunteer for the whale “team” to help stranded water creatures. That video was a favorite. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/17 "2021-05-26T01:27:17Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I hope you never have to. Me, too! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/18 "2021-05-26T01:28:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > agricultural lime Ahh, not that, > **[Agricultural lime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_lime)** > > Agricultural lime, also called aglime, agricultural limestone, garden lime or liming, is a soil additive made from pulverized limestone or chalk. The primary active component is calcium carbonate. Additional chemicals vary depending on the mineral source and may include calcium oxide. Unlike the types of lime called quicklime (calcium oxide) and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), powdered limestone does not require lime burning in a lime kiln; it only requires milling. All of these types of lime ar... this, > **[Calcium hydroxide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_hydroxide)** > > .mw-parser-output .ib-chembox{border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td,.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox th{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:40%}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td+td{width:60%} > Calcium hydroxide (traditionally called slaked lime) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca(OH)2. It is a colorless crystal or white powder and is produced when quicklime (calcium oxide) is mixed with water. It has many names including hydrated lime, caustic lime, ... ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/19 "2021-05-26T01:32:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > … whale “team” to help stranded water creatures. That video was a favorite. I know Philly’s a tough hardscrabble place full of tough hardscrabble dudes like Rocky, but youse guys give a whole new meaning to “help” if that’s your idea of a training video for whale rescue. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924/20 "2021-05-26T01:35:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I wanted to poke around looking for evidence of trauma. Land sakes, isn’t that smell enough trauma? ( Does your local pharmacy sell menthol that you can rub under your nose? ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-dealing-with-decomposition/942924.md?page=2)