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.
For Hunters:
In areas where CWD has been detected in Pennsylvania, hunters for more than a decade have complied with requirements intended to limit its spread in the Commonwealth.
This year, the Game Commission modified regulations for managing CWD.
It is now unlawful statewide to dispose of high-risk parts from deer, elk or any other cervids by placing them on the landscape at any location other than the harvest site.
High-risk parts are outlined in the diagram on the next page and include the head and backbone. By law, high-risk cervid parts now must be disposed of through a commercial trash service or other method approved by the Game Commission.
With this requirement in place, it’s no longer prohibited for hunters to transport deer between any two sites. Hunters can bring deer or other cervids home to butcher, from anywhere, but proper disposal of high-risk parts is required by law.
The Game Commission is now using Wildlife Management Units to manage CWD instead of unique disease management areas. Within Wildlife Management Units where CWD has been detected in free-ranging deer, shown below, head-collection bins are provided for free CWD testing.
Where Has CWD Been Detected?
CWD has been detected in wild white-tailed deer within the Wildlife Management Units shown below. Statewide, high-risk cervid parts must be disposed of through a commercial trash service or left at the harvest location.
High-risk parts from deer and other cervid harvests must be disposed of properly. It’s unlawful to place them on the landscape after an animal is moved from the harvest site. High-risk parts should be double-bagged when placed in the trash. Cooperating deer processors work with the Game Commission to ensure all high-risk parts left with them are disposed of properly. Visit arcg.is/1G4TLr for their locations. High-risk cervid parts include:
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.
Packing out deer
While not recommended in CWD areas, it is lawful in Pennsylvania to leave high-risk parts at the harvest site. The requirement to dispose of them through a trash service begins after the animal is moved. If left at the harvest site, burying high-risk parts is recommended, as it minimizes the chance they will be encountered by other deer or spread.
HOW TO GET YOUR DEER TESTED FOR CWD
In Wildlife Management Units where CWD has been detected in the wild, the Game Commission provides headbins for free CWD testing. Hunters may submit their deer for testing by placing their deer head – double-bagged and with the completed harvest tag 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. If keeping the head for mounting, call the CWD hotline, 1-833-INFOCWD, for options to get your deer tested.
For bin locations, call the hotline or go to arcg.is/1G4TLr.
Hunters who submit deer for testing can check their test results by calling the hotline, emailing INFOCWD@pa.gov, visiting pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup, or scanning the QR code provided here. You will need to enter your hunting license CID number and date of birth.
Results take approximately two to three weeks and hunters who receive a positive test result will be notified by certified letter. Hunters also can get their deer tested through the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System for a fee. More information is available at padls.agriculture.pa.gov.
The Game Commission conducts random CWD sampling at processors across the state, but using a participating processor does NOT guarantee your deer will be tested. To guarantee a deer is tested for CWD, the provided options must be followed.
Other restrictions
Within WMUs where CWD has been detected in the wild, it is unlawful to rehabilitate wild cervids. Regulations enable the Game Commission to prohibit the feeding of deer in specified areas to address CWD threats. Current areas with feeding restrictions can be found at arcg.is/1G4TLr.