NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officials is warning the public of a disease impacted deer in the area.
TWRA is working closely with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other agencies to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
CWD is a fatal neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species, including mule deer, elk and moose.
Officials are reminding hunters that it's illegal to move parts of any deer species across state lines without properly processing it first. Velvet antlers are illegal to import into Alabama unless they are part of a finished taxidermy product.
However, hunters can import the following:
- deer meat that has been completely deboned
- cleaned skull plates with attached antlers, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present
- raw capes, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present
- upper canine teeth, if no root structure or other soft tissue is present
- finished taxidermy products or tanned hides
“Our greatest allies in the fight against CWD are hunters,” said Chuck Yoest, CWD coordinator for TWRA. “With hunters’ assistance we can help keep CWD from spreading, keep the number of diseased deer to a minimum, and reduce disease rates where possible.”
You can help in the effort to stop the disease by reporting any illegal transport of deer or elk on Alabama's roads and highways. Call the Operation Game Watch line immediately at (800) 272-4263 if you see deer or elk being transported in Alabama. In Tennessee, contact the TWRA Law Enforcement Division at (615) 781-6580.
Visit the TWRA website for more information on CWD in Tennessee.
