The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a declaration of emergency during its July 1 meeting that modifies the deer urine ban for the 2019-20 hunting season. The ban is part of the effort to prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) from entering the state.
New testing procedures have been made available to producers of deer urine that can detect the presence of CWD in urine-based products.
The modified regulation states, “It is unlawful to use or possess scents or lures that contain natural deer urine or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting or scouting wildlife, except natural deer urine products produced by the manufacturers or entities that are actively enrolled and participating in the Archery Trade Association Deer Protection Program, which have been tested using real-time quaking induced conversion and certified that no detectable levels of CWD are present and clearly labeled as such.”
To read the full declaration click here.
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, including moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. It is infectious and always fatal. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and is similar to BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or mad cow disease) of cattle and scrapie in sheep.
Deer infected with CWD can spread the disease even before symptoms develop. It can take one to two years for infected animals to become symptomatic. When symptoms appear, they can include emaciation, lethargy, abnormal behavior and loss of bodily functions.
CWD has been found in 26 states, including Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has tested more than 8,600 deer since 2002 and CWD has not been detected in Louisiana. For more information click here.