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Authoritative Indiana wildlife resources

Indiana Wildlife & Dead Animal Resources

Vetted directory of authoritative Indiana resources for dead-animal handling, rabies surveillance, wildlife regulations, county solid-waste disposal, and highway carcass reporting. Every listing is independently maintained by the named authority — links open in a new tab so you can verify directly.

State authorities

Indiana State Agencies

Indiana Department of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife

Governs nuisance wildlife handling per 312 IAC 9-10-11 and 312 IAC 9-10-11 (nuisance wild animal control). Issues Commercial Wildlife Control Operator permits. Manages vehicle-killed deer salvage permits.

Phone: 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) · Web: in.gov/dnr

Indiana Department of Health — Bureau of Infectious Diseases

Rabies surveillance and post-exposure consultation per IC 15-17-11 (BOAH Dead Animal Disposal Law). Annual rabies-positive species reports by county. Public health guidance for rabies-vector species exposure.

Web: in.gov/health

IDEM — Solid Waste Program

State solid-waste rules at 329 IAC 10 govern dead-animal disposal as putrescible waste. Implementation varies by county solid-waste district.

Web: in.gov/idem

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)

Handles carcass removal on state routes, US highways, and interstates (I-75, I-77, I-90, I-71, I-70, US-30, US-422, etc.). Report via customer service or county district office.

Web: in.gov/indot

County resources

County Solid-Waste Districts (Our Service Area)

County solid-waste districts implement IDEM 329 IAC 10 rules within their jurisdiction. Each has slightly different guidance for residential dead-animal disposal.

  • Marion County (Indianapolis) Solid Waste — covers Indianapolis + Hamilton/Hendricks/Johnson collar suburbs. Small-animal double-bag method is common practice for non-vector species (municipal guidance, not state code).
  • Allen County Solid Waste District — covers Fort Wayne + Northeast Indiana. Standard IDEM 329 IAC 10 solid-waste rules.
  • St. Joseph County Solid Waste District — covers South Bend + Michiana. Residential double-bag for small animals; county landfill for large carcasses.
  • Vanderburgh County / Southwestern Indiana Solid Waste District — covers Evansville + Tri-State. Standard solid-waste rules; county landfill for large animals.
  • Monroe County Solid Waste District — covers Bloomington; Tippecanoe County Solid Waste District covers Lafayette / West Lafayette. Residential double-bag for small animals; county landfill for deer and large carcasses.
National resources

Industry & Federal Resources

National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA)

Industry association for licensed wildlife operators. Maintains standards for humane handling, exclusion, and disposal.

nwcoa.com

CDC — Rabies in the United States

Federal rabies surveillance data, post-exposure prophylaxis guidance, vector species identification.

cdc.gov/rabies

USDA Wildlife Services

Federal wildlife damage management program. Resources for property owners dealing with persistent wildlife conflicts.

aphis.usda.gov

FAQ

Indiana Wildlife Resources — FAQ

Where do I report a rabies-vector species contact in Indiana?
Contact the Indiana Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases (rabies post-exposure consultation) AND your physician. For wildlife identification questions, call IDNR Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543). Bats are the most common rabies-positive species in Indiana; raccoon-strain rabies has been detected in eastern Indiana counties bordering Pennsylvania.
How do I report a dead animal on an Indiana highway or state route?
Call INDOT customer service or your county INDOT district office. State routes (numbered "OH-XX" or "SR-XX") and interstates (I-75, I-77, I-90, I-71, I-70) are INDOT jurisdiction. County roads are usually the county engineer's responsibility. City streets are handled by city public works.
How do I verify an Indiana wildlife operator's IDNR permit?
Call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE to verify a specific operator's Commercial Wildlife Control Operator permit. This permit is required by 312 IAC 9-10-11 for businesses that trap or handle live nuisance wildlife. Most operators that handle dead-animal-only calls also hold this permit for full-service capability.
Where can I get a salvage permit for a vehicle-killed deer in Indiana?
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife issues free salvage permits for vehicle-killed deer. Call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) within 24 hours of the collision. The permit allows you to possess and use the deer (typically for venison processing). Without a salvage permit, the deer must be disposed of per IDEM solid-waste rules.
Where are the official Indiana carcass disposal rules?
IDEM solid-waste rules are codified at Indiana Administrative Code (OAC) 3745-27. Specific implementation varies by county solid-waste district. Search "329 IAC 10" at codes.indiana.gov, or contact your county solid-waste district directly for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

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