CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
2026 UPDATES: Important Deer Regulation Information
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continues to monitor and test the state’s white-tailed deer herd for chronic wasting disease
(CWD). In 2022, Louisiana became the 29th state to detect CWD. It had been previously detected in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Transport and Possession Regulations for Deer Being Harvested Out-of-State
HELP PREVENT THE IMPORTATION AND SPREAD
OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
Import regulations have been implemented in an effort to reduce the spread of Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD). Louisiana and 43 other states have implemented similar transport
regulations in an effort to slow further spread. CWD has been detected in 37 states and five
Canadian provinces. Hunters returning to Louisiana can help prevent the spread of CWD by
complying with cervid carcass import regulations.
Members of the family Cervidae include but are not limited to white-tailed deer, mule deer,
elk, moose, caribou, fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, red deer, and reindeer.
Approved parts and deboned meat from other states must contain a possession tag with the
hunter’s name, out-of-state license number (if required), address, species, date and location
(county and state) of harvest. All cervids transported into or through Louisiana that are in vio-
lation of the provisions of this ban shall be seized and disposed of in accordance with the Wild-
life and Fisheries Commission and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules and regulations.
LOUISIANA CWD MANAGEMENT ZONE REGULATIONS
CWD CERVID CARCASS IMPORT & EXPORT
REGULATIONS
No person shall import, transport or possess any
cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass originating
outside of Louisiana, except for
meat that is cut and wrapped
meat that has been boned out
quarters or other portions of meat with no part of
the spinal column or head attached
antlers
clean skull plates with antlers
cleaned skulls without tissue attached
capes
tanned hides
finished taxidermy mounts
cleaned cervid teeth
Baiting and supplemental feeding is restricted within a LDWF designated
CWD Management Zone, EXCEPT baiting and feeding may be allowed be-
tween Sept. 1 and March 31 under specified conditions within the CWD
Management Zone regulations. It is the responsibility of hunters to check
their hunting area for bait prior to each hunt. A baited area is an area
on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited,
distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed could serve as a
lure or attractant for wild quadrupeds or wild birds via ingestion. The use
of approved bait not normally ingested by deer for feral hog trapping will
still be allowed.
The export of any cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass originating
within a LDWF designated CWD Management Zone is prohibited, with the
above exceptions. In addition, an exemption for intact deer heads from
within the CWD Management Zone transported to Louisiana taxidermists
for taxidermy purposes in parishes outside of the CWD Management Zone
is allowed by waiver and adherence to waiver guidelines.
More information about CWD Management Zone regulations and a map
of the current Louisiana CWD Management Zone is available at: www.wlf.
louisiana.gov/page/cwd
WHAT IS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE?
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, includ-
ing but not limited to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer, moose
and caribou. It is infectious, always fatal and there is no treatment. It’s
part of a group of diseases know as transmissible spongiform enceph-
alopathies (TSEs) and is similar to BSE (mad cow disease) of cattle and
scrapie in sheep. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue
which leads to excessive salivation, neurological symptoms, emaciation
and death of the animal.
HAS IT BEEN FOUND IN LOUISIANA’S WHITE-TAILED
DEER POPULATION?
CWD has been detected in Louisiana. In addition, Arkansas, Mississip-
pi, and Texas have detected it. The disease has been documented in 37
states and five Canadian provinces. LDWF has been monitoring and test-
ing for CWD since 2002 and has tested approximately 24,500 deer.
WHAT CAUSES CWD AND HOW IS IT SPREAD?
CWD is caused by prions, which are proteins normally found in the body
that have mutated. These prions accumulate in the brain and cause holes
to develop in brain tissue. While prions are concentrated in the central
nervous system, they can be found within other tissues of the infected
animal, including muscle.
CWD is spread through direct deer-to-deer contact or through contact with
urine, feces, saliva and body parts of infected deer or infectious materials in
the soil. Prions will bind to soil particles once an infected deer carcass has
decomposed. Once in a location, the disease is present indefinitely.
WHAT SIGNS DO DEER WITH CWD DISPLAY?
Prions can be shed within 6 months of infection, but it can take one to
two years for CWD to incubate and exhibit outward symptoms in the in-
fected animal. Symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, abnormal behav-
ior, and loss of bodily functions. Other signs include excessive salivation,
loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination,
teeth grinding and drooping ears.
CAN HUMANS CONTRACT CWD?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there
is no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, the CDC recom-
mends caution in handling venison in the infected region and that deer
be tested for CWD before consuming. CWD positive deer should not be
consumed by people.
HOW CAN I REPORT A SUSPECT DEER?
You can assist LDWF in disease surveillance by reporting any deer that
exhibits CWD symptoms. Suspect deer should be reported to the nearest
LDWF field office.
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For more information: www.wlf.la.gov/page/cwd