FWC: Floridians Hunting Deer Out Of State Need To Know CWD Laws

September 22, 2014

Florida hunters planning to hunt deer, moose or elk out of state this year need to be aware of certain laws and regulations aimed at preventing chronic wasting disease (CWD) from entering the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

CWD is a contagious neurological disease that has been found in captive and wild cervids (white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose and elk) within 22 states, two Canadian provinces and in South Korea. The disease causes degeneration of the brains of infected animals, resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death. There is no known evidence that CWD can be transmitted to livestock or humans.

The disease has been detected in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, North Dakota, Maryland, Texas, Alberta and Saskatchewan Canadian provinces, and in South Korea.

Hunters need to know that it is against the law to bring into Florida whole carcasses of any deer from any of the above-listed areas. The purpose of this measure is to prevent CWD from being brought into the state. The infective agent is more likely to be concentrated within the brain, eyes, spinal cord, lymph nodes, tonsils and spleen of the animal. This infective agent, called a prion, can be accidentally deposited into the environment, where it can remain for years and can infect other deer. Many states have a prohibition in place that is similar to Florida’s.

It is not illegal to bring into Florida deboned meat and finished taxidermy mounts, tanned hides, cleaned skulls, antlers and teeth from any of these places, as long as all soft tissue has been removed.

For more information about CWD or the rule, visit MyFWC.com/CWD.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports