Richmond, VA — Since Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected from two deer harvested in Frederick County, Virginia, deer hunters must follow carcass importation regulations in other states when they transport a deer carcass out of Virginia.
Hunters anywhere in Virginia going into Kentucky or North Carolina must bone-out or quarter their deer carcass so the brain and spinal cord are removed.
Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will accept whole deer carcasses from Virginia except those originating from Virginia’s CWD Containment Area (see www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd for a map) in which case, carcasses must be boned-out or quartered so the brain and spinal cord are removed.
For Tennessee, whole deer carcasses are allowed except those originating from anywhere in Frederick County and Shenandoah County, where carcasses must be boned-out or quartered so the brain and spinal cord are removed.
For Virginia deer hunters hunting out-of-state, please make note of the following change to Virginia’s carcass importation regulations. Whole deer carcasses from carcass-restriction zones, rather than from the entire state or province where CWD has been detected, are prohibited from entering Virginia. For example, only the counties of Hampshire, Hardy, and Morgan in West Virginia, and the county of Allegany in Maryland, are now restricted. For information regarding other carcass-restriction zones and deer parts allowed to be brought into Virginia from these zones, please visit www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is continuing several management strategies in the northern Shenandoah Valley in response to the detection of CWD. These actions include:
- enforcement of a CWD Containment Area (CA),
- requiring mandatory disease testing on certain days within the CA,
- prohibiting the feeding of deer year-round,
- prohibiting the movement of deer carcasses and parts out of the CA (with exceptions),
- restricting the disposal of deer wastes from the CA,
- prohibiting the rehabilitation of deer in the CA, and
- maintaining liberal seasons and bag limits in an attempt to reduce the deer population.
Just as in previous years, hunters in the Containment Area should be aware of the mandatory sampling days (November 19, 26, and December 3) and be prepared to submit their deer heads for tissue samples. The Department will distribute additional information closer to those dates.
To assist with CWD surveillance, VDGIF is strongly encouraging hunters who harvest deer in the CA on days other than mandatory sampling days to voluntarily submit the head and neck from their deer for testing by bringing it to a self-service refrigerated drop station, which are located in the following places:
- Frederick-Winchester Conservation Club, 527 Siler Road, Winchester (north of Gainesboro)
- Walker’s Cash Store, 3321 Back Road, Woodstock (intersection with St. Luke Road)
- North Mountain Fire and Rescue, 186 Rosenberger Lane, Winchester (off Rt. 600, behind Tom’s Market)
- New Star Market, 2936 John Marshall Hwy, Strasburg (one mile west of I-81)
In addition to surveillance within the CA, VDGIF is collecting 1,000 samples this fall from across the entire state to assess the CWD-status of deer outside the CA.
CWD has been detected in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. The disease is a slow, progressive neurological (brain and nervous system) disease found in deer, elk, and moose in North America. The disease ultimately results in death of the animal. Symptoms exhibited by CWD-infected deer include, staggering, abnormal posture, lowered head, drooling, confusion, and marked weight loss. There is no evidence that CWD can be naturally transmitted to humans, livestock, or pets. Anyone who sees a sick deer that displays any of the signs described above should contact the nearest VDGIF office immediately with accurate location information. Please do not attempt to disturb or kill the deer before contacting VDGIF. More information on CWD can be found on the VDGIF website at www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd.
It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia’s fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities. For more information on Virginia’s wildlife management areas, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing and boating, visit the agency’s website at www.dgif.virginia.gov.