North Carolina Wildlife Commission Reminds Hunters to Follow CWD Guidelines
OutdoorHub 08.23.12
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding citizens they must follow special guidelines when hunting in states that have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
North Carolina hunters cannot transport into this state full heads from the 21 states or two Canadian provinces that have tested positive; nor can taxidermists accept them. Taxidermists should inform wildlife officers if they receive a deer, elk or moose head from one of those states or provinces.
Hunters must follow North Carolina processing and packaging regulations for the following states and provinces: Iowa, Texas, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Utah, West Virginia, New York, Kansas, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland and Missouri. The regulations also apply to Canada’s Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces.
CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. It is a progressive, fatal disease that often results in altered behavior as a result of small changes in the brain of affected animals.
The Wildlife Commission tested about 1,400 free-ranging white-tailed deer across North Carolina for CWD in 2009, with no evidence of the deadly, contagious disease detected.
The Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance has posted an online map of CWD findings in North America.
Taxidermists should call 1-800-662-7137 to report receipt of a full head from positive states.
