The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has finalised a Notice of Intent that will extend the Chronic Wasting Disease Control Area in parts of Louisiana, effective September 20. This move, reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, aims to contain the spread of CWD, a fatal disease affecting deer populations. The updated regulations will impact hunters as the archery season for deer opens on October 1 in Deer Areas 1 and 2.
Specific parishes, including Caldwell, Catahoula, La Salle, Ouachita, and Richland, are among the newly added regions to the Chronic Wasting Disease Control Area. This decision follows the discovery of an infected wild deer in Catahoula Parish, marking Louisiana's 40th confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease. Within the Control Area, restrictions include a ban on supplemental feeding, baiting, and hunting over bait in designated Enhanced Mitigation Zones. However, in the Buffer Zone, mechanical or electronic broadcast methods for feeding and baiting are permitted. Additionally, restrictions apply to the transport of deer carcasses from the controlled locales, as reported by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
Deer carcass movement regulations are outlined in the Notice of Intent. "The export of any deer carcass or part of a deer carcass originating within an LDWF designated CWD Control Area is prohibited," except for certain processed forms of meat and parts like antlers or tanned hides. Taxidermy-related transport is allowed but only under specific waivers. For a more detailed view of the updated Control Area and associated rules, the public can visit the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission's official page on CWD regulations.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a deadly illness in deer that affects their brain and body. It is caused by prions, which are harmful proteins, and there is no cure or vaccine. Deer with Chronic Wasting Disease may lose weight, act strangely, drink and pee a lot, and have trouble walking. Although it hasn’t been shown to spread to humans, health experts recommend not eating meat from infected deer. To help protect people, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission offers free testing for deer that hunters harvest.
