Attention hunters: Out-of-state deer subject to importation ban
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 7, 2019
- photo credit: LDWF
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds hunters returning from out-of-state hunts with harvested deer about the state’s cervid carcass importation ban. The ban includes cervids, which include, but are not limited to, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou and reindeer, fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer and red deer.
The ban states that no person shall import, transport or possess any whole or partial cervid carcass from outside Louisiana, except for meat that is cut and wrapped or boned out, portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, clean skull plates with antlers, cleaned skulls without tissue attached, capes, tanned hides, cleaned teeth, or finished taxidermy mounts. Also, bones must be disposed of in a manner where its final destination is at an approved landfill or equivalent.
Approved parts and meat from other states must contain a possession tag with the hunter’s name, out-of-state license number (if required), address, species, date and location (county and state) of harvest. Each state has different possession requirements for processed game.
The illegal transportation of cervid carcasses brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
This ban is strictly for reducing the likelihood that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) will enter Louisiana through carcass importation and impact the local white-tailed deer population. There have not been any cases in Louisiana deer since testing began 15 years ago, through it has been found in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas. Similar to Mad Cow Disease in cattle, CWD is infectious and always fatal to white-tailed deer. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, the CDC recommends caution in handling venison in the infected region and that deer be tested for CWD before consuming.
Hunters in Louisiana can have their harvested deer tested. Go to wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/pagehunting/41424-chronic-wasting-disease/2019_cwd_testing_flyer.pdf for more information.
