Hunting News

New rule expands protections against CWD

New rule expands protections against CWD

By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission has approved rule changes that prohibit importing or possessing whole carcasses or high-risk parts of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other species of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida.

The new rules, effective as of July 1, 2021, protect Florida deer populations by reducing the risk of chronic wasting disease spreading into the state.

Under the approved rules, people may import into Florida de-boned meat; finished taxidermy mounts; antlers; hides; and skulls, skull caps and teeth, if all soft tissue has been removed. In addition, the rules allow an exception for deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama if such property is bisected by the Florida state line and is under the same ownership.

The rule amendments do not include the permit option allowed to import whole deer or high-risk parts from properties in Georgia or Alabama provided certain requirements are met.

The FWC has been testing deer for CWD since 2002, and the disease has not been detected in Florida. CWD has been detected in 26 states and three Canadian provinces and is one of the most serious diseases facing state wildlife agencies.

The new rules are part of an ongoing effort to reduce the risk of CWD being introduced into Florida.

The FWC implemented its CWD surveillance program in 2002. In 2005, it prohibited importing into Florida whole deer carcasses and high-risk parts from states where CWD has been detected. Importing live members of the deer family was prohibited in 2013. In 2019, EO 19-41 prohibited importing or possessing carcasses and high-risk parts of all members of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida with exceptions.

More information about CWD is available at MyFWC.com/CWD.

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