Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

While no evidence currently exists to indicate that CWD is present in Georgia’s quality deer herd, discoveries of the disease in 19 states, including most recently in Michigan and West Virginia, indicates that no state should consider itself immune. Since 2002, Georgia has tested over 5,766 deer and no positive tests have been confirmed. Also, the importation of any cervid (deer) into Georgia is prohibited. Violators may lose their hunting privileges for at least 3 years.

Further, the importation of any whole cervid (deer) carcass or cervid carcass part from any state having a documented case of a cervid infected with CWD is prohibited, except that the following may be imported:

1. boned-out meat;
2. commercially processed cuts of meat;
3. meat with no part of spinal column or head attached;
4. clean skull plates w/antlers attached;
5. clean antlers;
6. finished taxidermy heads;
7. clean upper canines (buglers, whistlers, ivories).

Tolerating illegal activity or behavior threatens your hunting tradition. You can proactively protect Georgia’s deer herd by reporting illegal importation by calling 1-800-241-4113 or contact a regional WRD Law Enforcement office.

For more information visit www.georgiawildlife.com.

This material and the testing of deer for CWD was made possible, in part, by a Cooperative Agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).