Due to the regular amending of regulations in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina can be seen below:
North Carolina has two regulatory agencies overseeing Cervidae programs.
The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has regulatory authority over farmed Cervidae. For farmed Cervidae questions, contact farmedcervid@ncagr.gov; Michael Mayes, NCDA&CS (919) 707-3254, Michael.Mayes@ncagr.gov; or Dr. Michael Neault, NCDA&CS (919) 707-3272, Mike.Neault@ncagr.gov.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has regulatory authority of free-range Cervidae and the transportation of untagged cervids. For free-range Cervidae questions, contact Merril Cook at (919) 707-0075 or Merril.Cook@ncwildlife.org.
Standard Regulations
Farmed cervid owners are required to be licensed and must obtain a transportation permit for animal movement (importation, exportation, intrastate transportation, emergency vet, and slaughterhouse permits). NCDA&CS regulates facility standards as defined in the USDA program standards, Chronic Wasting Disease testing, cervid tagging, record-keeping, completes annual record inspections and every three-year onsite hands-on inspection, regulates the production of meat, and holds premises quarantine authority through the State Veterinarian. Rules are found in the NCDA&CS administrative code 02 NCAC, Subchapter 52L – Farmed Cervids, .0101 - .0402 (effective June 1, 2018).
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
NCDA&CS has banned importation of USDA CWD susceptible species, caribou, muntjac, and reindeer into North Carolina; and the remaining USDA non-susceptible species may only be imported into the State of North Carolina from a herd in which CWD has not been detected and is not allowed from a county that has had a positive case of CWD or is contiguous to a county (meaning, a county that is adjacent to) that had a positive case of CWD. Cervid imported into North Carolina shall be individually identified by 840 RFID tags that shall be affixed by the exporter. Full regulations may be found in the NCDA&CS administrative code 02 NCAC, Subchapter 52L – Farmed Cervids, .0101 - .0402 (effective June 1, 2018) ), and importation requirements are found in 02 NCAC 52B .0213.
New CWD Regulations in Development
NCDA&CS does not have any new regulations in development
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
Testing of all captive cervids ≥ 12 months of age that die for any reason, and testing of all captive cervids displaying symptoms characteristic of the disease required. Licensees are required to submit cervid heads or carcasses to the NCDA&CS diagnostic laboratory for testing. Samples are taken and then sent by NCDA&CS to the NAHLN lab in Wisconsin for CWD evaluation. CWD has not been detected in any of the samples from farmed cervids.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
All animals that are exhibiting symptoms characteristic of CWD are tested. Statewide surveillance with an objective of collecting a minimum of 1,000 samples was conducted in 2003, 2008, and 2013. Beginning fiscal year 2018-19, a more intense annual surveillance will be implemented with county sampling goals that span over the next 5 years. As of April 15, 2021, a total of 15,254 white-tailed deer and elk have been tested (522 clinical, 14,697 routine surveillance, 98 illegally imported deer). CWD has Not been detected.
Baiting Banned?
No ban at this time.
Feeding Banned?
No ban at this time.
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
"It is unlawful to import, transport, or possess a cervid carcass or cervid carcass parts originating from outside North Carolina, except for the following: meat that has been boned out such that No pieces or fragments of bone remain; caped hides with No part of the skull or spinal column attached; antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, or skulls free from meat or brain tissue attached; cleaned lower jawbone(s) with teeth or cleaned teeth; or finished taxidermy products and tanned hides. All carcass part(s) or their containers must be labeled with the individual’s name and address; state, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin; date the cervid was killed; and the individual’s hunting license number, permit number, or equivalent identification from the state, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin. Rule [15A NCAC 10B.0124]."
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
No
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
No