Chronic Wasting Disease

On this page:

• What is CWD?
• Regulations on Feeding Deer
• Waste of Game
• Department Check Stations
• Caution on Liver & Kidney Consumption

What is CWD?

• CWD is a fatal brain disease of whitetailed deer, mule deer, caribou, moose, and elk. It is similar to mad cow disease which occurs in cattle.
• CWD has been found in free-ranging deer populations in 34 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces, and has been detected in states as close as Pennsylvania and New York.
• CWD has not yet been recorded as being transmissible to people. However, a similar disease does exist in humans.
• CWD can persist in the environment outside of a host for many years.
• CWD has a 100% mortality rate in deer.

CWD Monitoring and Prevention in Maine

• Maine has actively monitored for CWD each year since 1999, and since that time screened approximately 13,800 wild deer. Thus far, Maine proudly remains CWD free.
• It is illegal for individuals to bring into Maine cervid carcasses or parts, except that the following carcass parts may be imported and possessed: boned-out meat, hardened antlers, skull caps that have been cleaned free of brain and other tissues, capes and hides with no skull attached, teeth, and finished taxidermy mounts.
• MDIFW prohibits the transportation of unprocessed deer carcasses, and/or parts, into Maine from states that are not directly adjacent to our state. This includes carcasses that are being transported
  through Maine. Note: Cervid carcasses or parts from New Hampshire are exempt from this transportation restriction.
• MDIFW will not transplant deer from other states into Maine.

MDIFW Recommends that Individuals:

• Contact their regional wildlife biologist or warden if a deer shows poor body condition in addition to signs of disease such as loss of fear of humans, excessive drooling or urination, drooping head, or other neurological problems.
• Take precautionary steps such as using latex gloves while processing a harvested deer, and sterilizing their equipment fol lowing processing by soaking in a 50/50 solution of water and bleach. These steps will help to reduce potential transmission of the disease to humans. Again, thus far CWD has not been identified in a person.
• Avoid consumption of the brain and spinal tissues.
• Use synthetic deer lures instead of urine-based lures, as CWD is spread via bodily fluids. Some companies are beginning to label products as tested or certified CWD free, but it is unclear what industry controls are in place to ensure these labels are warranted. If you choose to utilize a urine-based lure, place it in a location where deer will not be able to directly contact it.

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Regulations on Feeding Deer

Feeding deer is prohibited from June 1 to December 15. The Commissioner can stop anyone from feeding deer at any time if there is a public safety hazard or if it is harmful to the deer population. The Commissioner may prohibit or limit the feeding of deer, bear, moose and wild turkey if there is documented evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the State or within 50 miles of the border of the State or if there is a reason to believe that the type or location of feed may create a public safety hazard or may have a detrimental effect on deer, bear, moose and wild turkey.

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Waste of Game

A person may not waste a wild bird or wild animal that has been wounded or killed while hunting. For purposes of this section "waste" means to intentionally leave a wounded or killed animal in the field or forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and render it for consumption or use. This law does not apply to coyotes.

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Department Check Stations

Our wildlife biologists annually collect information that allows MDIFW to assess the condition and productivity of Maine's deer population. Much of the information we collect comes from hunter-harvested deer. As such, the information you provide us with is used directly for deer management purposes, in Maine. A summary of the information we collect from you can be found within our Annual Research and Management Reports.

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