Due to the regular amending of regulations in Idaho, 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 Idaho can be seen below:
Idaho State Department of Agriculture/Animal Industries has jurisdiction over domestic cervidae, which includes elk, fallow deer and reindeer. Idaho Department of Fish and Game has jurisdiction over importation and possession of all other species of wildlife. Contact: Toby Boudreau, Wildlife Bureau Chief, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, toby.boudreau@idfg.idaho.gov. Full regulations can be found here:
https://idfg.idaho.gov/cwd
Standard Regulations
No mule deer or white-tailed deer imports allowed by IDFG. ISDA allows interstate import of reindeer, elk and fallow deer to approved cervidae farms. Health requirements include: negative brucellosis testing for cervids 6 months and older, must have 2 negative tests within 30 days of import; negative tuberculosis tests and compliance with USDA TB UMR for captive cervids; elk must tbe in a CWD monitoring program for at least 60 months with a CWD herd certification program (HCP) and records of all deaths within last 5 years; all cervidae originating east of the 100th meridian, except those going directly to slaughter are required to reviece anthelmithic treatment of P. tenuis, within one-hundred and eighty days (180) days prior to import into Idaho. Treatment must be documented on the certificate of veterinary inspection; valid health certificate from state of origin; individual identification number; entry permit.
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
Elk must be in a CWD monitoring program in originating state for at least 60 months with a CWD free herd status and records of all deaths within last 5 years must be provided. No domestic cervids allowed from areas where CWD is endemic. All domestic cervidae must originate from a herd that is in good standing and actively participating in the National CWD Herd Certification Program. No wild cervid importation allowed without CWD information from originating state herds.
New CWD Regulations in Development
In 2018 IDFG completed a new CWD response plan and strategy. The following rules were approved: Idaho does not allow the importation of live wild elk, deer, or moose. Idaho does not allow the use of natural urine from deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and caribou for big game hunting. When hunting outside Idaho, follow the rules of that state for meat handling, carcass transport and other restrictions. Idaho does not allow the importation of a carcass of a wild deer, elk or moose from
another state, province, or other country where CWD has been found. Idaho does allow meat that is cut and wrapped; quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue; edible organs that do not include brain; hides without heads; upper canine teeth; elk ivories; finished taxidermy; or dried antlers with dried skull cap or dried skull with brain tissue removed.
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
CWD monitoring has been done on all domestic elk herds through the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Unless a domestic cervidae ranch is operating under an approved ranch management plan, brain tissue from no less than 10% of all domestic cervidae 16 months of age or older that are harvested on domestic cervidae ranches shall be submitted for CWD testing. Brain tissue from 100% of all domestic cervidae 16 months of age or older that die for any reason other than harvest shall be submitted for CWD testing. IDFG pemits less than 6 captive mule and white-tailed deer facilities, all of which are required to report any deaths within 24 hr. Additional requirements for identification and record keeping are under consideration. A prohibition on the private possession of cervids known to be susceptible to CWD is being considered.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
General and targeted surveillance has been done on over 18,000 deer and elk taken from hunter kills and road kills since 1997. A new sampling scheme centered on mule deer and rotating around various ecotype areas on a three year basis. A point system with a goal of 300 points has been adopted to focus sampling on the statewide populations. Annual sampling is conducted for deer and elk in high risk populations that border CWD positive states. A three-year rotation of lower risk populations is conducted around the rest of the state. Targeted surveillance is conducted in areas identified as either high risk or areas where we do not have a great enough sample numbers. All animals that are symptomatic or suspect are tested for CWD.
Baiting Banned?
Idaho does not allow and has never allowed the baiting of cervids.
Idaho bans the use of natural cervid urine for big game hunting, which includes urine from deer, elk, moose, and caribou (reindeer).
Feeding Banned?
In the event that CWD is discovered in Idaho, this rule restricts the public from feeding deer and elk in designated CWD management zones.
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
Out-of-State Carcass Import Ban
The state bans importing a carcass or any part of a wild deer, elk, moose, or caribou from another state, province in Canada or any other country with a documented case of CWD.
Exemptions to this ban include:
Meat that is cut and wrapped
Quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue
Edible organs that do not include brains
Hides without heads
Upper canine teeth
Ivories, buglers or whistlers
Finished taxidermy
Dried antlers
Cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps
Winter feeding risk strategy
Fish and Game integrates its CWD risk strategy into winter feeding planning. Winter feeding unnaturally concentrates wildlife, increasing the risk of spreading disease.
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
No
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
No