Below is a news release from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission modified how deer and elk hunting units are classified as a chronic wasting disease (CWD) endemic area. Results from surveillance efforts have detected CWD in eight new counties this past fall.
Any firearm deer or elk hunting unit that includes any portion of a county where CWD has been confirmed will now be included in the endemic area. In addition, any deer harvested with a statewide archery, West River archery, antlerless archery, muzzleloader, antlerless muzzleloader, apprentice deer and West River special buck seasons and any elk harvested from the proposed elk unit in much of western South Dakota within a county where CWD has been confirmed will be subject to carcass transportation and disposal requirements.
As a result, requirements for transportation within the state and carcass disposal will become effective in these units for the 2020 deer and elk hunting seasons. The modified rule will allow the department to be more proactive as CWD is confirmed in new counties.
The mandatory sample submission for deer and elk harvested within Custer State Park was repealed as the department’s priority is to determine presence or absence of CWD in high priority surveillance areas.
Additional information on CWD, including new regulations for the 2020 deer and elk hunting seasons, can be found at gfp.sd.gov/chronic-wasting-disease.
(Photo source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks)