Washington restricts import of big game carcasses from Montana after CWD confirmed

HUNTING -- The discovery of chronic wasting disease in free-ranging deer in Montana this fall means restrictions for sportsmen who come from CWD-free states to hunt deer, elk or moose there.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has filed an emergency rule that adds Montana to the list of states and provinces with restrictions on what parts of the game animals can be brought across the state line.

CWD has not been detected in Washington or Idaho, and officials hope to keep it that way. However, the discovery of CWD in Montana means the disease has hopped a step farther west.

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North Dakota's Game and Fish Department is adding Montana to the list of states from which the movement of deer carcasses into North Dakota is restricted. Montana becomes the 23rd state on North Dakota's list, along with two Canadian provinces and the countries of South Korea and Norway. The goal is to keep the disease from spreading throughout North Dakota.

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If you are going to hunt deer, elk, or moose in the states or provinces listed above this year please be advised that there have been some rule changes passed by the Washington Fish and Wildlife commission that regulate how you can bring your meat and trophies home. If you hunt deer, elk, or moose in these states or provinces the following items only may be imported to Washington to reduce the risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease:
•Meat that has been de-boned in the state or province where it was harvested and is imported as boned-out meat
•Skulls and antlers, antlers attached to the skull plate, or upper canine teeth (bugler, whistlers, ivories) from which all soft
tissue has been removed
•Hides or capes without heads attached
•Tissue imported for use by a diagnostic or research laboratory
•Finished taxidermy mounts

Violation of this rule is a gross misdemeanor having a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine or one year in jail (RCW 77.15.290)

In addition, if you are notified by another state fish and wildlife agency that the deer, elk, or moose you have harvested has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, you must notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife within 24 hoursViolation of this rule is an infraction (RCW 77.15.160)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD) since 1995. To date, CWD has not been detected in Washington. We urge hunters to help us maintain our healthy deer, elk, and moose populations.

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