WDFW approves new rules to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind has approved new rules to limit chronic wasting disease. He approved rules on transporting harvested deer, elk, and moose, importing cervid parts, and using scent lures from cervids.

A statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, or moose, including while hunting, was also approved. New rules for mandatory CWD testing for harvested and salvaged cervids were put in place in areas where CWD has been found.

These rules aim to reduce the risk of spreading CWD by controlling the movement of potentially infected animal parts. The statewide feeding ban helps limit wildlife gathering, which can increase disease transmission. Currently, CWD is found only in WDFW’s Eastern Region, and the new rules help prevent it from spreading to other populations. 

Testing cervids is vital for identifying CWD infection and managing the outbreak effectively. CWD is a fatal disease caused by infectious prion proteins, first detected in Washington in 2024, with no cure available.

Visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/ for more information.

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