Due to the regular amending of regulations in Virginia, 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 Virginia can be seen below:
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has the jurisdiction over captive cervids. Contact DWR at 804-837-5666, Megan Kirchgessner, megan.kirchgessner@dwr.virginia.gov or 540-569-0023, Nelson Lafon, nelson.lafon@dwr.virginia.gov.
If captive cervids are imported into VA, and this is currently only allowed in rare circumstances by Department regulation (see column C), then a VA Dept. of Ag and Consumer Services (VDACS) health certificate is required.
Standard Regulations
Ban on importation of live cervids into VA and prohibition of the intrastate movement of cervids unless specifically allowed by the VDWR. Exotic cervids may be imported, following TB/brucellosis testing, into VA on a case-by-case basis to a permitted exhibitor who is the sole possessor of a cervid species. Deer to be moved must be from an AZA accredited facility in a state without pertinent diseases, such as TB, brucellosis, or CWD, in wild or captive deer. Exotic cervids may be moved within VA between permitted exhibitors on case-by-case basis pending negative TB/brucellosis tests and compliance with mandatory CWD testing requirements. Transfer of embryos/semen follow the same criteria as live deer movements. Deer farming is no longer permitted in Virginia. Cervids may only be held in captivity with a valid VDWR permit (e.g., exhibiitors, T&E, etc.).
CWD Regulations for Captive Cervids and Wildlife
Permit conditions for captve cervids mandate annual inspections, mandatory tagging, mandatory CWD testing of all adult mortalities, record keeping, etc. Rehabilitation of deer that originate from within a Disease Management Area is prohibited. Statewide rehabilitation of elk and adult deer prohibited. See other columns for additional management actions in and near the CWD Disease Management Areas.
New CWD Regulations in Development
No
CWD Testing Program For Captive Cervids
DWR notification and mandatory CWD testing of all adult deaths in all captive deer facilities required.
CWD Testing Program For Wildlife
Statewide surveillance of adult bucks in non-Disease Management Area counties conducted with the assistance of cooperating taxidermists. Annual monitoring conducted in Disease Management Area 1 (Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Warren counties), Disease Management Area 2 (Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Page, and Rappahannock Counties), Disease Management Area 3 (Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaksi counties) and in the elk restoration zone. As of June 2021, 110 CWD-positive deer have been detected in Virginia.
Baiting Banned?
Not legal to not bait for the purpose of taking an animal.
Feeding Banned?
Feeding of deer is prohibited year round in any county located within 25 miles of a CWD detection. It is also illegal year round to feed deer or elk in Buchanan, Dickenson, or Wise counties as part of elk restoration. Elsewhere in the state, there is a year round ban on feeding deer on national forest lands and department-owned lands. Throughout the remainder of Virginia, there is a ban on feeding deer from September 1 thru the first Saturday in January. It is also illegal to feed cervids during any deer hunting season in any city, town, or county in the state that allows deer/elk hunting;and any area is considered "baited" for 10 days after the removal of feed. Cities or towns may pass ordinances to prohibit feeding of deer.
Ban On Movement of Animal Parts?
It is illegal to possess and use afield for the purposes of hunting any lures or attractants that contain natural deer urine, gland secretions, or other bodily fluids. This is a statewide ban. Whole cervid carcasses and carcass parts containing spinal or brain tissue from any cervid originating from outside Virginia are prohibited from entering Virginia. The following carcass parts may be imported and possessed: cleaned jaw bones, boned-out meat , quarters or other portions of meat w/ no part of the spinal column or skull attached, hides or capes with no skull attached, clean (no meat or tissue attached) antlers or skulls/skull plates w/wo antlers attached, upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers or ivories), & finished taxidermy products. Whole deer carcasses and carcass parts containing brain or spinal tissue from deer killed in a Disease Management Area (DMA) cannot be exported out of the the same DMA CA, except those parts currently allowed under the carcass importation regulation noted above. Hunters are encouraged to dispose of unused portion of deer originating from a DMA in a lined landfill or dumpster.
CWD Found in Captive Cervids?
No
CWD Found In Free Ranging Cervids?
Yes