Hunting News

New CWD rules in place for importing deer carcasses

New CWD rules in place for importing deer carcasses

By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

A new FWC executive order to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spreading into Florida establishes regulations to importing deer carcasses. The order became effective as of Nov. 1.

Under Executive Order 19-41, carcasses of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other members of the deer family may not be imported into Florida from anywhere, except for legally harvested white-tailed deer originating from Georgia or Alabama, provided they meet certain requirements.

The rule prohibits importing deer carcasses and parts except for de-boned meat, finished taxidermy mounts, antlers and hides, skulls, skull caps and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed.

The order allows exceptions for white-tailed deer legally harvested in Georgia or Alabama provided the person possesses an FWC Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Permit prior to the carcass being imported into Florida, and reports the carcass importation within 24 hours of entering Florida on the FWC online Georgia/Alabama Carcass Importation Reporting Form, as well as disposes of any remains using FWC-approved deer carcass disposal options.

White-tailed deer legally harvested from Georgia or Alabama properties that are bisected by the Florida state line and under the same ownership are exempt from importation permit, reporting and disposal requirements.

If CWD is detected in Georgia or Alabama, importing a carcass from either state would be prohibited.

In 2002, the FWC prohibited importing carcasses of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other members of the deer family from CWD-affected states and Canadian provinces. In addition, importing live deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family into Florida was banned in 2013.

As part of its ongoing CWD surveillance program, the FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline (866)293-9282 and report the animal’s location.

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd