Deer harvested in Tennessee tests positive for CWD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported a deer harvested in Lewis County has received a positive test result for Chronic Wasting Disease.

The positive test was the first in Lewis County and will result in changes to feeding and carcass transportation regulations. Current hunting season dates, units and bag limits are not affected.

Effective immediately, Lewis County is subject to the following wildlife feeding and carcass restrictions:

• Deer carcasses can move within and between counties in the CWD Management Zone.
• Hunters may not move whole or field-dressed deer carcasses or unapproved parts outside of CWD affected counties. Only approved parts may be moved out of CWD affected counties.
• Once a carcass is brought into the CWD Management Zone, it cannot be moved out of the zone.
• Approved parts are free to be transported anywhere statewide. Approved parts include: deboned meat; antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, cleaned skulls (where no meat or tissues are attached to the skull); cleaned teeth; finished taxidermy and antler products; hige and tanned products.
• Within the CWD Management Zone the placement of grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable natural and manufactured products is prohibited.
• Feeding restrictions do not apply if the feed or minerals are: placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building; or placed in such a manner to reasonably exclude access by deer; or placed as part of a wild hog management effort authorized by the agency; or present from normal agricultural practices, normal forest management practices, or crop and wildlife production practices.

Feeding and carcass transportation restrictions are important tools to prevent CWD from spreading, according to the TWRA. The agency will increase testing and surveillance efforts in Lewis County to monitor the disease.

The TWRA says hunter participation in CWD testing is critical for the continued surveillance and monitoring of CWD throughout the state. Hunters can access CWD testing through participating taxidermists and meat processors, or by using drop-off freezers.

Lewis County drop-off freezers are available at:

• Meriwether Market, 2768 Summertown Hwy., Hohenwald, TN
• Lewis County Farmer’s Co-op, 324 Summertown Hwy., Hohenwald, TN
• Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, 1361 Napier Road, Hohenwald, TN

The TWRA said CWD is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cervids including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. Last year, the agency partnered with certified laboratories to test 20,762 samples, which identified 813 positive animals statewide.

For information on CWD including additional freezer locations and current regulations, visit CWDinTN.org.

Copyright 2023 WSMV. All rights reserved.