New York Finds CWD in a Wild Deer, Its First Since 2005

Chronic wasting disease has been found in a wild white-tailed deer in New York for the first time since 2005, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced on November 6. The deer, an adult doe harvested in the Town of Sparta in Livingston County, was tested through DEC's annual statewide surveillance program. The New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University tested and retested the tissue, and confirmation testing at the USDA's national lab in Ames, Iowa, is under way.

DEC has set a containment area covering the towns of Conesus, Groveland, North Dansville, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta. Hunters who take a deer there must submit a tissue sample, may not carry a whole deer out of the area, and need a DEC transport permit to take one to a processor or taxidermist outside it. Collection stations in the area open for on-site sampling on November 12; DEC says locations and hours will be posted on its website. Hunters who kill a deer before then should save the head and contact DEC.

DEC also plans emergency rules that would bar moving brains, spinal cords, spleens and eyes out of the area, ban possession of road-killed deer there, ban collecting or moving deer or elk urine from the area and stop wildlife rehabilitation of deer from it. Hunters whose deer test positive will be told and asked to surrender the venison. A virtual information session is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17. The area may grow if more cases turn up.

On November 10, Vermont Fish and Wildlife reminded hunters returning from New York and Quebec that it is illegal to bring whole deer, elk or moose, or most parts of them, into Vermont from any state or province where CWD has been found, a list that includes New York. Boned-out or cut and labeled meat, clean skull caps with antlers, hides and capes without the head, finished taxidermy and cleaned teeth are allowed. Each illegally imported animal can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year loss of hunting and fishing licenses, and Vermont bans natural deer urine lures. CWD has not been found in Vermont.

CWD is a fatal prion disease of deer, elk and moose. There is no evidence it infects people, pets or livestock, but the CDC advises against eating venison from any animal known to have it. Hunters outside the New York containment area can pay to have a deer tested through Cornell's Wildlife Health Lab.