WHAT IS CWD?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal brain disease caused by a misfolded protein
known as a prion. CWD is a threat to deer and elk in Pennsylvania, and there’s no known cure.
CWD can spread through direct animal-to-animal contact or indirectly through contaminated environments. CWD-infected animals shed prions through saliva, urine, and feces. Plants, soil, and water sources can be contaminated and remain infectious.
CWD-infected animals may not look sick for 18-24 months after they’re infected but can still spread the disease during this time.
Although there’s no evidence CWD can infect humans, it’s recommended people do not consume a CWD-positive animal.
CWD Dmap Areas
Hunters play an important role in CWD management. The Game Commission gives hunters expanded opportunities to harvest deer in DMAs through CWD Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) areas. The purpose of these units is to increase harvest and surveillance in areas located around new or high priority CWD detections. Successful hunters can submit the heads from harvested animals for free CWD testing to help assess the extent of the disease in these areas.
For the 2025-26 hunting season, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering DMAP permits for CWD DMAP areas. These permits allow hunters to take up to two additional antlerless deer. Permits will become available for purchase in August. Locations of current CWD DMAP areas can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
Where is Chronic Wasting Disease in Pennsylvania?
An interactive map that includes detailed boundaries for Disease Management Areas (DMAs) and the Established Area (EA) can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
CWD REGULATIONS – DOS AND DON’TS
Within Disease Management Areas (DMAs) and Established Areas (EAs) the following is prohibited:
Feeding of wild, free-ranging cervids
The removal of high-risk cervid parts* from any DMA or EA including from one DMA to another unless taken directly to a Game Commission approved cooperating processor or taxidermist. Cooperators can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
Disposal of high-risk parts on the landscape away from the location of harvest or kill. Transport of high-risk parts may occur provided they are taken directly to a Game Commission approved cooperating processor or taxidermist OR are disposed of with commercial trash service within the DMA in which the deer was harvested
Rehabilitation of wild, free-ranging cervids
Statewide the following is prohibited:
Importation of high-risk cervid parts* from any state or province outside of Pennsylvania unless taken directly to a Game Commission approved cooperating processor or taxidermist.
Statewide the following is allowed:
Importation or transportation of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; cleaned hides without the head; skull plates and/or antlers cleaned of all brain tissue; upper canine teeth without soft tissue; or finished taxidermy mounts.
*High-Risk Cervid Parts:
the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes, and any lymph nodes);
spinal cord/backbone; spleen;
upper canine teeth (if root structure or other soft tissue is present);
any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts;
and brain-tanned hides.
HOW TO GET YOUR DEER TESTED FOR CWD
The Game Commission provides headbins within DMAs and the EA for free CWD testing. Hunters may submit their deer for testing by placing their deer head – double bagged and with harvest tag completed and attached to the ear – into any Game Commission-provided head collection bin. Antlers will not be returned so hunters should remove the antlers and/or skull cap prior to submission. Go to www.arcg.is/1G4TLr or call the CWD hotline at 1-833-INFOCWD for bin locations.
Hunters can check their test results online by using this QR code or going to https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup and entering their hunting license CID number and date of birth. Hunters can also check their test results by calling the CWD hotline. Results take approximately two to three weeks and hunters who receive a positive test result will be notified by certified letter. Hunters can also get their deer tested through the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System for a fee. More information is available at www.padls.agriculture.pa.gov.
*The Game Commission conducts random CWD sampling at participating processors across the state, but using a processor that is enrolled in this program does NOT guarantee your deer will be tested. To guarantee a deer is tested for CWD, the head must be deposited into an agency head collection bin.
PROPER DEER DISPOSAL
Hunters who hunt inside of a DMA or EA may dispose of high-risk parts with their commercial trash service if trash is deposited in a lined landfill. Parts disposed of in this way should be doubled bagged.
While not recommended, hunters hunting inside of a DMA or EA may leave high-risk parts at the location of the kill site. It is recommended that all parts disposed of in this way be buried.
Cooperating processors work with the Game Commission to ensure all high-risk parts left with them are disposed of in the proper way to reduce the risk of disease spread from contaminated carcass parts. Locations of these cooperating processors can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
QUESTIONS?
For more information on CWD, visit the Game Commission’s CWD webpage by using the QR code or visiting www.arcg.is/1G4TLr. For questions, comments, and concerns use the CWD hotline at 1-833-INFOCWD (1-833-463-6293) or email us at infocwd@pa.gov.