Hunt Outside New York? Here’s Why You Can’t Bring Your Whole Deer Carcass Back

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,  Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal disease that is found in deer, elk, caribou, and moose.

CWD is a serious threat to wild populations. This is a disease of the brain and nervous system caused by a prion, which is a misfolded protein that kills deer species. Even though this disease has not yet been found in New York State deer, it has been discovered in some areas of North America.

Get our free mobile app

As a way to help prevent this disease from entering New York State, the NYS DEC has a law that prohibits bringing back whole carcasses from hunters who hunt in other states. The recommendation is to only bring back deboned meat, antlers, and cleaned skulls. This will help reduce the risk of bringing back into New York State, any parts that may contain Chronic Wasting Disease.

I have many relatives and friends who live in New York State and hunt deer out of state including in Pennsylvania. Some would normally bring back the full carcass, but that's no longer possible.

If you hunt deer, elk, moose, or caribou anywhere outside of New York, you may only legally import the deboned meat, cleaned skull cap, antlers with no flesh adhering, raw or processed cape or hide, cleaned teeth or lower jaw, and finished taxidermy products into New York. Follow the big game importation restrictions to prevent the spread of CWD. - NYS DEC

Another tip: do not feed wild deer. By doing so, the NYS DEC warns that could increase the likelihood of diseases spreading. For more about deer and moose feeding restrictions, click here. And if you see any sick or abnormal acting deer, contact your local DEC regional wildlife office or Environmental Conservation Officer.

[via New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS DEC Facebook]