Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Water Nap (what to do??)

Over the weekend, a deer ended up taking the proverbial dirt nap in my 1/4 acre neighborhood pond. So, really a water nap.

It would be a substantial effort to remove it as it has now sunk (which seems to have helped the smell).

What kind of 'damage' or negative effect will this carcass do in my pond?

I always worry about this, especially in the winter. I would bet it were likely the same impact as a fish kill without removing the fish. Huge load of nutrients, and if you have them, a bumper crop of crayfish. If too much nutrient overload, just like an aquarium, water toxicity could become high and would result in a fish kill and a really nasty dead bacteria-laden pond for a while.

I'm betting no adverse effects. At least none that are noticeable.

Providing it doesn't float back up in the Spring! (smell)

The folks at Gator World in SE Texas throw roadkill into their ponds routinely. Feral hogs are popular. Obviously the gators love it, but huge catfish also go after it like Nile Crocs.

In your neck of the woods I'd expect turtles to work with the cats. Crawdads will be happy. If nothing rips it up, the carcass will fill with gases and float. If it sinks its most likely getting cleaned up by the scavengers.

NEDOC, here is your answer. You were looking to feed and grow giant blue cats. Vortex suggested road kill, or feral hogs!! Certainly there are some slaughter house byproducts somewhere in NE that you could put to good use? I can see it already, NEDOC puts in a Craigslist ad asking to be alerted to any fresh roadkill!! You probably would be flagged for such a post...

There is a recent thread (which I can't find now) where the pond owner gets 100 lbs of trout cleaning remains each week that he feeds his CC. There is a video of them gobbling. I'm sure cc will eat roadkill, especially if its chopped up.

Vortex is likely right in that it will start to gas-off and float back to the top. Being that it is a smaller pond I'd get it out when it resurfaces and give it to the coyotes/vultures. If for no other reason...the smell will last a long time as it floats around the pond. At this time of year, you might be enjoying the smell well into next spring.

Personally, I would have snagged it with a big hook/line to get it to the bank, then roped it off and drug it back into the brush. It might take a while to find it now that it has sunk, but probably do-able.

I've had deer come to die in my pond several times over the years. It always seems that they wind up in a spot that is hard to retrieve them from. I usually take my .45 and fire a few rounds in the stomach so that they don't float long. By spring the remains are pretty well cleaned out, except for the hide and I can sometimes drag the remains to the shore, or just let it sink. I don't think there is that much of a long term issue with it; except to keep it hidden from the wife.

" I usually take my .45 and fire a few rounds in the stomach...."

Damn!! Brutality Rising!!!

Your HOA must have some serious restrictions.

Just a variation of SSS but I forgot to shut up. !

1/4 acre I would try and drag it out.

The board members of Bing's HOA are Johnny Walker, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels.

There is one lady on the HOA, Angel Envy.

I don't think I've met her.

It's Halloween, where is the Grey Gost? No holiday spirit?

The only problem with "Grey Gost" is that it is vodka, not bourbon.