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New FWC Regulations On Importing Deer Carcasses From Alabama
November 1, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued an executive order that regulates bringing deer carcasses into the state from Alabama and Florida. The order went into effect Friday, November 1 in an attempt to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spreading into Florida.
Under the order, carcasses of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other members of the deer family may not be imported into Florida from anywhere, except for legally harvested white-tailed deer originating from Alabama or Georgia, provided they meet certain requirements.
The order prohibits importing deer carcasses and parts except for deboned meat; finished taxidermy mounts; antlers; and hides, skulls, skull caps, and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed.
The executive order allows exceptions for white-tailed deer legally harvested in Alabama or Georgia provided the person possesses an FWC Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Permit prior to the carcass being imported into Florida; reports the carcass importation within 24 hours of entering Florida using the FWC’s online Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Reporting Form; and disposes of any remains using FWC-approved deer carcass disposal options.
White-tailed deer legally harvested from Alabama or Georgia properties that are bisected by the Florida state line and under the same ownership are exempt from importation permit, reporting and disposal requirements.
If CWD is detected in Georgia or Alabama, importing a carcass from that state would then be prohibited.
CWD is a transmissible disease of the nervous system that is fatal to deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family. It remains undetected in Florida since surveillance measures were initiated in 2002 but is currently found in 26 states. It was most recently detected in Mississippi and Tennessee. The transportation of infected deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses is one of the known risks for introducing CWD to new areas.
As part of its ongoing CWD surveillance program, the FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) and report the animal’s location.
Comments
One Response to “New FWC Regulations On Importing Deer Carcasses From Alabama”
I’m curious as to the “status” of deer that regularly cross into Florida (& back again) from Alabama/Georgia. Up until now, all my reading had led me to believe that CWD had not progressed this far south & east.
CDC Map:
https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd/images/cwd-map.jpg
Chronic Wasting Disease FAQ
http://cwd-info.org/faq/