How do I get my harvested deer, elk, or moose tested for CWD?
A. There are several testing options, including stopping at a hunter check station, making an appointment at a WDFW facility, dropping the head at a kiosk, or removing the lymph nodes and mailing them to WDFW. You can find more information on each of these options on the Important chronic wasting disease information for hunters page.
If I harvest a deer, elk, or moose in a 100 series game management unit (GMU) can I take it to another 100 series GMU to process?
A: Yes. Deer, elk, and moose that originate in the 100 series GMUs may be transported between 100 series GMUs but can’t be transported as whole carcasses outside of the 100 series GMUs. You can take whole carcasses to a different GMU as long as it remains within the 100 series.
I usually take the deer/elk/moose that I harvest in 100 series GMUs to my home in another area of the state outside of the 100 series GMUs. I understand that I now need to process it prior to leaving 100 series GMUs. How do I dispose of the carcass?
A. If possible, leave as much of the carcass at the harvest site to avoid moving CWD prions to areas where they aren’t already. If that isn’t an option, our interactive CWD map shows disposal options for carcasses.
Once I submit a deer, elk, or moose head for sampling, do I get the head and antlers back?
A: When sampling is done at a WDFW office or hunter check station, the head and antlers can be returned as long as it wasn't brought in frozen and the retropharyngeal lymph nodes can be extracted. Heads dropped off at self-service kiosks are not able to be returned. Please remove antlers prior to depositing the head.
The new rules say I can only take boned-out meat from the 100 series GMUs, so I can’t take my antlers and cape home outside of Region 1?
A: You can take other parts home but have to follow the transport guidelines in the original Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 220-413-030 for transporting deer, elk, moose, and caribou. The updated WAC only updates this original WAC to include the 100 series GMUs as an area where you cannot take whole carcasses out to other areas of Washington where we haven’t detected CWD. Please review the full WAC at the link for details.
The WDFW website says that skulls and antlers are some of the items that are legal to be imported from out of state to Washington and to areas outside of the 100 series GMUs within Washington. If I transport antlers, am I required to remove velvet from them?
A. Yes, velvet is considered soft tissue and can transmit prions that cause CWD. It must be removed before antlers can be imported into Washington or outside of 100 series GMUs.
How do I leave evidence of sex on a boned-out carcass?
A: Page 88 of the Washington Big Game Regulations has a description of how to do this, but the remarks about the head won’t apply:
Male: Head with antlers or horns attached, or penis or testes, any of which must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.
Female: The head or udder must be naturally attached to at least one quarter of the carcass or to the largest portion of meat.
Can I have my deer or elk tested if it came from outside of the target surveillance area in Region 1?
A: Yes, but there are no resources outside of Region 1 that will be able to take your sample. You will need to use the mail-in option described on our CWD surveillance webpage to submit a sample for testing. Shipping costs are at the expense of the submitter and cost will not be reimbursed. If you need assistance, please email CWD@dfw.wa.gov.
How long will it take to get my test results back after I submit a sample?
A: Typically 4-6 weeks. Results will be available online using your WILD ID or salvage permit number depending on if this was a harvested or road-killed salvaged animal. If the animal tests positive for CWD, WDFW will notify you and help with disposal of any meat you do not wish to consume.
If my deer, elk, or moose comes back positive for CWD will I be able to get another tag?
A. Yes. Your tag will be replaced for this year and same season if it is still open.
Can I have the meat from my harvested animal tested?
A. No, only the pharyngeal lymph nodes and brain tissue (obex) can be used for CWD testing.
I use other types of baiting scents (e.g., ammonia) to hunt deer that are not natural or derived from cervid urine or glandular extracts. Are these still allowed?
A: Yes. The current WAC states that an exception to the rule are scents used for cover and attractant that are not consumed by animals. The emergency rule includes baits and scents that are natural or synthetic derived from cervid urine or glandular extracts because some of these products may contain CWD prions. However, this WAC does not address reducing disease spread among potentially infected animals, and any activities that congregate animals can spread disease.