Deer hunters reminded of the dangers of Chronic Wasting Disease to Florida's deer herd

Florida hunters planning to hunt deer, moose or elk out of state this year need to be aware of certain laws and regulations aimed at preventing chronic wasting disease from entering Florida.

Chronic wasting disease is a contagious neurological disease that has been found in captive and wild deer, moose and elk in 24 states, two Canadian provinces and in Norway and South Korea.

The disease is always fatal in deer but does not seem to affect people. 

Hunters need to know that it is against the law to bring whole carcasses of any deer, moose, or elk into Florida from any of the states where Chronic wasting disease has been found. 

It is OK, however, to bring deboned meat and finished taxidermy mounts into Florida as well as tanned hides, cleaned skulls, antlers and teeth from any of these places, as long as all soft tissue has been removed.

The State is also continuing to monitor Florida’s deer herd for Chronic Wasting Disease and asks that if anyone sees a sickly, extremely skinny deer that you report it immediately to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission.

There is a chronic wasting disease hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH that’s 866-293-9282.

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