Due to the regular amending of regulations in Alabama, 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 Alabama can be seen below:
Last update was October 2021
Click a section to expand:
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Contacts: Chris Cook 205-339-5716 chris.cook@dcnr.alabama.gov (wild cervids); Lt. Michael East 334-242-3467 michael.east@dcnr.alabama.gov (captive cervids)
Standard Regulations
Cervid imports have not been allowed since 1973. It is illegal to have penned deer, many high fenced areas do exist. Licensed game breeders can buy and sell deer with permit, but no importation is allowed. Approximately 13 "grandfathered" propagators are permitted to keep, breed, and release deer into an enclosure. Permitted propagators can't add animals to their captive facility from the wild. Propagation permits are no longer issued.
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
Cervid imports have not been allowed since 1973.
New CWD Regulations in Development
CWD Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan updated February 2021
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
Mandatory testing of animals 12 months of age or older that die in captive herds.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
Sampling began in 2001. As of 9-30-21, 2,140 free-range deer tested in FY21. Samples include target animals, road kills, hunter harvested animals, and animals that die in licensed game breeder facilities. No positive animals have been found to date. Plans are to continue surveillance efforts. Education efforts have also made the public more aware of the need to report deer that may be doing poorly or may not be acting normally. Those deer are submitted for testing as well. Mandatory testing of animals 12 months of age or older that die in captive herds. As of September 30, 2021, 458 captive deer tested in FY21.
Baiting Banned?
No, as long as the hunter has a Baiting Privilege License. This is required for all hunters (No exemptions) using bait while hunting deer or feral pigs.
Feeding Banned?
No
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
The importation of body parts of any member of the family Cervidae, including but Not limited to deer, elk, moose and caribou, is prohibited from all states, territories, or possessions of the United States of America. Importation of body parts is also prohibited from all foreign countries. The family Cervidae includes but is Not limited to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou, fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, red deer, and reindeer. This regulation shall Not apply to importation of: meat that has been completely deboned; cleaned skull plates with attached antlers, if No visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; raw capes or hides, if No visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if No root structure or other soft tissue is present; and finished taxidermy products or tanned hides.
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
No
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
No