Due to the regular amending of regulations in New York, it is recommended that before hunting you check these CWD regulations, as well as those of any other states or provinces in which you will be hunting or traveling through while transporting cervid carcasses. The contact information for New York can be seen below:
Last update was October 2021
Click a section to expand:
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) regulates deer and elk held under wire. Contact cervidfarm@agriculture.ny.gov, (518) 457-3502. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issues licenses to possess captive-bred white-tailed deer. Contact Joseph Therrien, [joseph.therrien@dec.ny.gov], (518) 402-8985. For Wild deer - NYS DEC Kevin Hynes [kevin.hynes@dec.ny.gov] (518)478-3034.
Standard Regulations
NYSDAM prohibits importation of CWD-susceptible species. DEC requires a person to obtain a license from NYS DEC to possess captive-bred white-tailed deer. DEC collaborates with NYSDAM on all aspects of disease management involving cervids.
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
NYSDAM prohibits importation of CWD-susceptible species. White-tailed-deer, elk, red deer, sika deer and other CWD susceptible species must either be on the CWD Certified Herd Certification Program (HCP) or else be on the CWD monitoring program. Herds on CWD HCP must have adequate handling and restraint facilities Adequate fencing and storage for CWD and TB samples is required. All deer and elk herds must be tuberculosis tested every 5 years or be on a slaughter surveillance program for TB.
NYSDEC's CWD regulation is 6 NYCRR Part 189. This regulation prohibits the feeding of wild deer and wild moose and lists requirements for importing hunter-killed deer, elk and moose into NY. See text of DEC CWD regulation at www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html. BE ADVISED THAT NYSDEC AMENDED THEIR CWD REGULATIONS IN 2019 TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN ACTIVITIES THAT POSE A HIGH RISK OF INTRODUCING CWD INTO NEW YORK.
New CWD Regulations in Development
NYSDAM prohibits the importation of live CWD susceptible animals. NYSDEC amended their CWD Regulation (Part 189) in 2019 to prohibit certain activities that pose a high risk of introducing CWD into New York. The new regulation prohibits the importation of any intact cervid carcasses or parts from any State or Province.
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
New York State DAM currently pays for all required testing. HCP herds must test all natural and harvest mortalities. The monitoring program for herds not selling live animals consists of reporting and sampling all natural deaths and having a total annual number of samples equal to 10% of the adult population. DEC requires that all people who have been issued a license from the DEC to possess captive bred white-tailed deer comply with NYSDAM provisions for CWD testing.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
DEC began a statewide CWD surveillance program for wild white-tailed deer in 2002. CWD surveillance has continued in each successive year. Surveillance program includes risk-based sampling of hunter harvested deer and examination of any reported sick or abnormal deer.
Baiting Banned?
Baiting of wild white-tailed deer has always been prohibited in New York State. See text of NYSDEC CWD regulation at
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28182.html
Feeding Banned?
DEC has prohibited the feeding of wild white-tailed deer since July 2002. Individuals are allowed to plant food crops for wild deer and to feed wild deer for scientific research, wildlife damage abatement, and wildlife population reduction but only under a license from the NYSDEC. See full text of NYS DEC's CWD regs at
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7197.html
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
NYSDEC's CWD Regulation, 6 NYCRR Part 189 prohibits the importation of specific parts from captive or captive bred cervids and wild cervids and moose coming from outside New York. Hunters are prohibited from returning to New York with whole carcasses or intact heads of deer, elk, moose, or caribou that they harvest anywhere outside of New York. Only the deboned meat, cleaned skull cap with no visible bain tissue, antlers with no flesh adhering, raw or processed cape or hide, cleaned teeth or lower jaw, and finished taxidermy products of CWD-susceptible animals may be brought into New York. See full text of CWD regulation for details at
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8325.html
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
Yes. Confirmed in captive white-tailed deer in March/April 2005. No new cases have been found in captive herds since April 2005 and CWD surveillance continues on all cervid farms pursuant to the NYSDAM CWD regulation.
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
Yes. Confirmed in two wild white-tailed deer in April 2005. No new cases have been found in wild white-tailed deer in New York since April 2005. NYSDEC continues to conduct CWD surveillance during the hunting season and tests all deer exhibiting clinical signs.