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.
