Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): What You Can Do
If you are hunting out of state, and especially in a CWD-positive state, it is critical that you adhere to Arizona’s harvested animal importation laws. Because prions can remain infectious after harvest, it is possible that CWD could be introduced to Arizona by illegal importation of infected animal tissues.
- State law (Arizona Commission Rule R12-4-305.I) 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 into Arizona:
- boneless portions of meat, or meat that has been cut and packaged either personally or commercially;
- clean hides and capes with no skull or soft tissue attached, except as required for proof of legality;
- clean skulls with antlers, clean skull plates, or antlers with no meat or soft tissue attached, including velvet antlers;
- finished taxidermy mounts or products; and
- 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.
- Always take normal precautions when dressing wild game to avoid exposure to animal fluids.
- Use the Gutless Method of field dressing.
Currently, CWD can only be detected by testing of tissues such as lymph nodes and obex (brain stem). There are several videos on the internet that can instruct you on how to collect an appropriate sample. If you decide to collect your own sample, please keep the sample cold (frozen is ideal) and contact your local AZGFD office or email [email protected].
It is your responsibility to know and follow all transportation laws and regulations for your state of residence and the state in which you are hunting.
- Hunters that are successful in Units 1, 2, 3, 27, 28 and 31 are especially encouraged to submit heads because these units are close to New Mexico, a state that has detected CWD in deer and elk.
- Heads should be kept cool and submitted within a day of harvest. The head may be placed in a garbage bag for delivery. You will be asked to provide information about your harvested elk (hunt number, permit number, game management unit and date of harvest) and where you can be reached (phone number) in case the test is positive.
- To drop off your head for CWD testing, we request that you contact your local Arizona Game and Fish Department regional office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday: https://www.azgfd.com/Agency/Offices/. If you harvest an animal that you suspect may be sick, or would like to have your animal tested for CWD, we encourage you to contact the Wildlife Disease Hotline at 877-972-8426 or email questions/photos to [email protected].
For additional information you can visit the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance - www.cwd-info.org.
