Hunter’s Role in CWD Prevention and Control

Despite Arizona’s clean record, AZGFD is concerned that CWD might be inadvertently brought into the state through the transport of infected animal tissues.

• State law prohibits the importation of cervid brains, intact skulls, or spinal columns into Arizona. The following deer or elk parts harvested out-of-state are OK to bring back into Arizona:
  • Boneless meat
  • Commercially processed and packaged meat
  • Antlers
  • Skulls without any soft tissue
  • Hides without soft tissue
  • Finished taxidermy mounts/products
  • Upper canine teeth with no meat or tissue attached
• The use of deer or elk urine–based attractants is prohibited in Arizona.
• Hunters are advised to avoid shooting, handling, or consuming any animal that is acting abnormally or appears to be sick.
• Contact the Wildlife Disease Hotline at 877-972-8426 if you see or harvest an animal that appears sick.
• The major organs (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, head) are essential for testing, so they need to be bagged and kept cold.
• Always take normal precautions when dressing wild game.
• AZGFD needs and appreciates the help from hunters in testing Arizona deer and elk for the disease.
• If you would like to have your harvested deer or elk tested for CWD, bring the head of your animal to any Game and Fish Department office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Heads must be kept cool up until the samples are taken.

A complete list of current hunter recommendations is available at the AZGFD website.

Our annual risk-based surveillance program has tested over 21,000 samples since 1998. The AZGFD has partnered with several local meat processors and taxidermists to sample as many animals as possible. If you plan to have your harvest professionally processed or mounted, contact your local business to find out if they sample for CWD.