Elk NetworkSouth Dakota Unveils Rules to Combat CWD

In an effort to combat the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission proposed changes to the transportation and disposal of deer and elk carcasses from other states and hunting units within South Dakota’s known endemic areas where CWD is confirmed. If enacted, these newly proposed regulations would not go into effect until the 2020 hunting seasons.  

The Commission made the following proposed rule changes to help reduce the spread of CWD: 

 Interstate Carcass Transportation 

1. Importation of wholecervidcarcasses and high-risk cervid carcass parts into South Dakota is restricted from other states, regardless of CWD status of the exporting state. 
2. Only the following portions of hunter-harvestedcervidcarcasses may be brought into South Dakota: 

• cut and wrapped meat; quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; antlers, hides or teeth; finished taxidermy mounts; or antlers attached to skull caps that are cleaned of all brain tissue.

Whole cervid carcasses only traveling through South Dakota are exempt from this regulation 

Intrastate Carcass Transportation 

1. Wholecervidcarcasses and high-risk cervid carcass parts shall not leave a known CWD endemic area within South Dakota.  
2. Only the following portions ofcervidcarcasses may leave a known CWD endemic area within South Dakota: 

• cut and wrapped meat; quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; antlers, hides or teeth; finished taxidermy mounts; or antlers attached to skull caps that are cleaned of all brain tissue.

Carcass Disposal 

1. A hunter shall dispose of all remainingcervidcarcass parts taken from another state, regardless of CWD status of the exporting state, or a known South Dakota CWD endemic area with a waste management provider or permitted landfill when non-commercial meat processing and non-commercial taxidermy has concluded.  

• Thosecervidcarcasses taken from a known South Dakota CWD endemic area that test negative for CWD from a verified test sponsored by the Department would be exempt from this disposal regulation. 
• Any recipient of such gift of wildlife as described above shall follow thiscervidcarcass disposal requirement. 

2. A wildlife processing facility shall dispose of all remainingcervidcarcass parts taken from another state, or a known South Dakota CWD endemic area with a waste management provider or permitted landfill. 

• Game processors licensed by U.S. Department of Agriculture or S.D. Animal Industry Board shall dispose of carcasses as required by the conditions associated with such license.

3. A taxidermist shall dispose of all remainingcervidcarcass parts taken from another state, regardless of CWD status of the exporting state, or a known South Dakota CWD endemic area with a waste management provider or permitted landfill.  

Go here for additional information including how and where to submit public comment. 

(Photo source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks)