Chronic Wasting Disease

Don’t Use Urine-Based Lures

Natural urine-based lures have the potential to spread Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). A number of studies have shown the infective protein that causes CWD is present in urine, feces, and saliva of infected animals. Urine for lures is collected from deer in captive facilities held in pens over grates which collect a mixture of urine, feces, and saliva. Many of these facilities are located in states where CWD is already present. These lures do not undergo any treatment that might inactivate or kill disease-causing agents, and there is currently no USDA - approved testing of commercial lures for the presence of CWD proteins.

The infective protein can persist in the environment for years as a source of possible infection to the state’s deer and moose herds. Several states and Canadian provinces have already banned the use and possession of natural urine-based lures due to the potential risks. N.H. Fish and Game recommends using one of many effective synthetic lures on the market, which do not pose a risk of spreading disease to our deer and moose populations. For more information, visit wildnh.com/deer-diseases.