Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

What Is Cwd?

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurologic disease called a “transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)” that is found in the deer family. In Nevada, this includes mule deer, elk, and moose. Other TSEs include scrapie (found in domestic sheep), “Mad Cow” disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (in humans). It is caused by a misfolded protein, called a prion, that causes brain proteins to misfold. This leads to neurologic symptoms and animal death. CWD signs include stumbling, poor body condition, excessive drinking, salivation, and difficulty running. No treatments or vaccines are available.

Does Nevada Have Cwd?

As of this writing, CWD has not been found in Nevada. However, the first and closest confirmed case to Nevada was in the Spring of 2024 from a road-killed deer near Bishop, California. In Fall of 2024, two additional positives were found within in the Bishop city limits. CWD is detected in 3 of the 5 states that border Nevada. It is important to follow transport regulations and not bring in infected parts. The CDC recommends hunters test their harvest and not consume it if positive.

What Is NDOW Doing To Respond To The New Detection?

For the last 2 years, a Transportation Restriction Zone (TRZ) was created by the Nevada Department of Agriculture through a Quarantine Order) to improve surveillance and prevent CWD movement. If you harvest a mule deer in the TRZ you MUST:

1. Submit a MANDATORY CWD sample.
   • Anyone who harvests a deer in the TRZ (consisting of Hunt Units 192-196, 201-208, 211-213, and 291) must submit a CWD sample. Within the TRZ, the animal can be brought to the Reno (Valley Road) or Tonopah NDOW Offices.
   • If self-sampling the sample can be dropped off at any NDOW office.
   • For the most current information and testing locations, view the Nevada Department of Wildlife chronic wasting disease information page.
   • To take your own sample, please lookout for an email asking you to sign up to receive a self-sampling kit.
   • The sample must be received by NDOW within 1 week of harvest.
   • For up-to-date information on how to get your deer sampled 7 days a week, visit the link above OR call the Nevada CWD Hotline at (800) 800-1667.
2. Abide by the transport restriction requirements below. If you harvest any deer within the TRZ or ANY deer, elk, moose, or reindeer/caribou outside of Nevada:
   • It is illegal for you, your agent, or employee to knowingly transport or possess the carcass or any part of the carcass of these big game species (above) that were obtained in another state, territory, or country, or in the Nevada TRZ, HOWEVER:
   • It is legal for you, your agent, or employee to bring into Nevada or move outside the TRZ the following parts of the carcass of any of the animals listed above:
     • Wrapped meat or quarters, with no part of the spinal column, brain tissue, or head attached.
     • The hide or cape with no part of the spinal column, brain tissue, or head attached.
     • The clean skull plate with antlers attached and no brain tissue attached.
     • The antlers with no meat or tissue other than antler velvet attached.
     • The taxidermy mount with no meat or tissue other than antler velvet (if applicable) attached.
     • The upper canine teeth including, without limitation, the bugler, whistler, and ivory teeth.
     • A sample collected for CWD surveillance (separately bagged and including only the obex and lymph nodes) that can be dropped off at any NDOW office.

Disposal Requirements

Within the TRZ, the spinal column, brain tissue or head attached must be disposed of in the following manner:

• Left at the site of harvest (preferred method).
• Carcasses must be disposed of in an approved and certified landfill within the TRZ (see the list of approved locations on the Nevada Department of Wildlife chronic wasting disease information page).
• Surrendered to the NDOW office in Reno on Valley Road or Tonopah or check station within the TRZ for disposal.
• Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, prohibited parts should be moved out of the TRZ or disposed of on the landscape (other than the location of kill).

If you are unsure how to abide by these restrictions if you are bringing your animal to a taxidermist, the QR codes below have helpful videos on preparing your harvest for transport:

If I Don’t Have A Tag In The TRZ, What Can I Do To Help?

NDOW needs the public’s help to keep Nevada CWD free.

To Help:

• If hunting out of state, abide by the transport regulations above.
• Sign up to receive a self-sampling kit.
• In Las Vegas, provide samples to Mull’s Meats (3730 Thom Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89130) during normal business hours.
• When hunting anywhere in Nevada please test your elk, deer, or moose for CWD.
• Visit an NDOW office (call ahead first to ensure a biologist is present).
• Spread the word!

While CWD can’t be eradicated, if it is caught early, the impacts and spread can be reduced.