In response to what was said to be an isolated detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer facility in Herkimer County in the end of October, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has implemented regulations to prevent the introduction of the fatal disease into its white-tailed deer and moose populations. These regulations focus on restricting the importation of carcasses and high-risk carcass parts from CWD-susceptible deer species harvested out of state.

Hunters are prohibited from returning to New York with whole carcasses or intact heads of any CWD-susceptible deer species harvested out of state. This includes white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, elk, moose, sika deer, caribou, and reindeer. All venison must be deboned before being brought back to New York.

Hunters are permitted to transport certain allowed carcass parts through New York, provided none are disposed of or left behind. These allowed parts include deboned venison, cleaned skull caps, antlers with no flesh adhering, raw or processed capes or hides, cleaned teeth or lower jaws, and finished taxidermy products. All allowed carcass parts and packages of deboned venison must be clearly labeled with the species of deer, state, province, or country of harvest, and the name and address of the hunter who harvested the deer.

In-state, hunters who bag a deer in Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, or Winfield in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County are requested to submit the head to the DEC at one of seven local drop-off stations.

Hunters are also asked to avoid deer urine-based lures, as they could be contaminated with CWD.

Hunters who bring CWD-susceptible deer species into New York are instructed to submit a sample to the Department of Natural Resources for testing before consuming any of the meat. If that sample tests positive, contact the DEC for disposal instructions.