The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is rolling out new initiatives this year to help combat Chronic Wasting Disease

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is rolling out new initiatives this year to help combat Chronic Wasting Disease.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a contagious disease that damages the brains of affected deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family and always causes them to die.

One way the FWC is working to protect Florida deer populations is through its new, “About Chronic Wasting Disease” video.

The educational video provides information in an easy-to-understand format and covers what causes CWD, how it’s transmitted, why it’s one of the most serious wildlife diseases, and how the FWC and its partners are working to prevent the disease from spreading into Florida.

The FWC is also partnering with Florida and Woods ‘n Waters magazine to support the need for testing more hunter-harvested deer for Chronic Wasting Disease in specific counties this year through the CWD Monitoring Sweepstakes.

You can learn more about sweepstakes prizes and rules and find donation locations at FLCWDsweepstakes.com.

Florida prohibits importing or possessing whole and parts of carcasses of all members of the deer family originating from any area outside of Florida.

There is an exception for deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama only if the property is bisected by the Florida state line and is under the same ownership.

Hunters are allowed to import de-boned meat; finished taxidermy mounts; antlers; hides, skulls, skull caps, and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed.

And remember, if you happen to see a sick or abnormally thin deer or deer dead of unknown causes, please report its location to the CWD hotline, at (866) CWD-WATCH.

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