Hunters traveling outside Vermont to hunt deer or elk need to keep in mind that the regulation designed to protect Vermont’s wild deer from chronic wasting disease remains in effect, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal disease of the brain and nervous system in deer and elk. Abnormal prion proteins produce lesions in the brain that cause disorientation and emaciation in conjunction with other abnormal behaviors. For the latest information on CWD, check these websites: www.vtfishandwildlife.com and www.cwd-info.org.

The potential exists for CWD prion proteins to be introduced to the environment through the bodily fluids of CWD-positive ungulates and then persist in the environment for extended periods of time. Thus, hunters are reminded to help reduce the risk of disease transmission through limiting the utilization of real deer urine attractants while hunting.

Vermont rules on importing and possession of deer or elk from areas with chronic wasting disease (CWD) and captive hunt areas or farms:

-It is illegal to import or possess deer or elk, or parts of deer or elk, from states and Canadian provinces that have had chronic wasting disease, or from captive hunt or farm facilities with the following exceptions:

– Meat that is cut up, packaged and labeled with hunting license information and not mixed with other deer or elk during processing;

– Meat that is boneless;

– Hides or capes with no part of the head attached;

– Clean skull-cap with antlers attached;

– Antlers with no other meat or tissue attached;

– Finished taxidermy heads;

– Upper canine teeth with no tissue attached.

Vermont’s CWD importation regulations currently apply to hunters bringing in deer or elk carcasses from the following states and provinces: Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

“CWD is a very persistent disease that can resurface after years of absence,” said Adam Murkowski, Vermont’s deer project leader. “Vermont’s CWD regulation is designed to help prevent CWD from infecting Vermont’s deer and the drastic de-population measures that would be required if it appears here.”

“Hunters bringing deer or elk from any of the CWD-listed states or provinces into or through Vermont simply have to get them processed according to the regulation before doing so.”

A fine of up to $1,000 and loss of hunting and fishing licenses for one year are applicable for each deer or elk imported illegally.