ADFG On Hunters Preventing Spread Of Chronic Wasting Disease

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Hunters encouraged to stay informed about big game meat transport and carcass disposal

Sept. 18, 2024 (Juneau) – Alaska hunters preparing for upcoming out-of-state big game hunts should familiarize themselves with carcass disposal and transport regulations in the states in which they will be hunting deer, elk or moose.

While state wildlife agency regulations may vary state-by-state, the goal remains the same: To keep deer, elk and moose herds healthy, and minimize the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This cannot be accomplished without help from hunters. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that can be unintentionally brought to Alaska by CWD-positive carcasses. CWD has been detected in 35 states in the continental U.S. and in four Canadian provinces.

“The Alaska Department of Fish and Game cares about the future of healthy moose, deer and elk populations,” said Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, the department’s wildlife health and veterinary services program manager. “CWD has not been detected in Alaska, but our caribou, moose, deer, elk and reindeer are at risk. Proper carcass transport and disposal will keep infectious prions out of our state and help to keep our herds healthy, as well as those in other states.”

Regulations prohibit the transport of “at risk” materials through Canada and into Alaska. No whole carcasses or any portion of the spinal column or a skull with brain tissue are allowed. To bring hunter-harvested cervid meat through Canada into the U.S. travelers must present the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer with evidence that the product is cervid meat, such as a valid hunting license, commercially prepared labels on unopened packages, or other official documents. Cervid refers to members of the deer family.

Proper disposal of unwanted carcass parts in landfills is important. It reduces the risk of unintentional transmission of CWD prions to susceptible wildlife from CWD-positive areas to areas where the disease is not yet known to exist. Prions are proteins, and CWD prions can spread the disease through fluids and tissue, and contaminated soil, food or water. Research shows that prions can remain infectious in the environment for 16-plus years. This complicates CWD management because there is no known, practical way to destroy prions in the environment.

For more information and resources for hunters Information and Resources for hunters traveling across state lines:

Transporting game
Transporting meat through Canada

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated August 2024, USGS