CWD in Tennessee
CWD Management Zone: Feeding & Carcass Transport Regulations
These restrictions have been put in place to reduce the spread of chronic wasting disease. Carcass transport restrictions reduce the chance that an infected deer carcass becomes a source of infection in a new area. Wildlife feeding restrictions reduce deer exposure to potential infections in other deer and in areas where deer unnaturally congregate due to supplemental feeding.
Deer carcass transportation and wildlife feeding restrictions apply to the CWD Management Zone. If a contiguous county becomes positive (based on CWD test results) these restrictions will automatically apply. Visit www.cwdintennessee.com for the most up-to-date map of the CWD Management Zone. All other regulations (e.g., deer hunting unit, season dates, bag limits, etc.) remain the same unless changed by TFWC.
To find a list of CWD positive counties, visit CWDinTennessee.com
Feeding Restrictions
Within the CWD Management Zone the placement of grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable natural and manufactured products is prohibited.
Feeding restrictions do not apply if the feed or minerals are:
- Placed within one hundred (100) feet of any residence or occupied building; or
- Placed in such a manner to reasonably exclude access by deer; or
- Placed as part of a wild hog management effort authorized by the agency; or
- Present from normal agricultural practices, normal forest management practices, or crop and wildlife food production practices.
Carcass Transport Restrictions
Only approved parts may be moved out of the CWD Management Zone.
- Deer carcasses can move within and between counties in the CWD Management Zone.
- Once a carcass is brought into the CWD Management Zone, it cannot be moved out of the zone.
- Approved parts are free to be transported anywhere statewide.
Approved Parts
- Deboned meat
- Antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, cleaned skulls (where no meat or tissues are attached to the skull)
- Cleaned teeth
- Finished taxidermy and antler products
- Hides and tanned products
Examples of Unapproved Parts
- Whole and field-dressed carcasses
- Organs, Guts
- Uncleaned (meat and/or tissue are present) heads/skulls/skull caps
- Non-muscular tissue
TN residents hunting out of state - Only approved parts (i.e., deboned meat, clean skulls, skull plates and teeth, antlers, finished taxidermy, hides, and tanned products) from deer, elk, moose, and caribou may be brought back into TN.
Nonresident hunters - Be aware of potential restrictions on taking your TN deer and elk carcasses back to your home state. Check your home state regulations and regulations of those states you travel through to return home.
