UAT

On March 31, 2022, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) had been detected in a hunter-harvested buck from Yadkin County, becoming the first detection of the disease in North Carolina. Emergency powers were invoked by the Executive Director on April 12, 2022, to activate a localized response plan to assist with detection and isolation of CWD in the affected area. The emergency powers established a Primary Surveillance Area (PSA) and Secondary Surveillance Area (SSA) with special regulations intended to increase CWD surveillance and reduce risk of CWD spread.

Special Regulations

Fawn Rehabilitation: All fawn rehabilitation within the PSA and SSA is prohibited. Fawns may not be transported out of these Surveillance Areas and cannot be accepted by fawn rehabilitators. 

Wildlife Feeding: The placement of bait, food, food products, mineral or salt licks to purposefully congregate wildlife is prohibited from Jan. 2 – Aug. 31 in the PSA and SSA, except for:

• Bird feeders
• Hunting in urban archery seasons in participating municipalities 
• Other activities specifically permitted by the Wildlife Commission

Mandatory Sampling: All hunter-harvested deer taken within the 2022-23 season dates below must be submitted to the Wildlife Commission for testing.

• Within the PSA, deer of either sex taken during the blackpowder season (Nov. 5 – Nov. 18) and gun season (Nov. 19 – Jan. 2).
• Within the SSA, deer of either sex taken during the blackpowder season (Nov. 5 – Nov. 18) and the first nine days of gun season (Nov. 19 – Nov. 27).
• Hunters may voluntarily submit a sample for CWD testing from deer harvested at other times and locations.

*Samples for CWD testing may be submitted in a variety of ways, including check stations, Cervid Health Cooperators, and Drop-off Stations.  More details and locations for CWD testing options will be available by September 1.

Carcass Transport Restrictions: The transportation of a deer carcass or parts of a carcass out of the PSA or out of the SSA is prohibited except for the following or as otherwise permitted by the Wildlife Commission:

• Double-bagged carcass or carcass parts transported directly from within the PSA to a Cervid Health Cooperator in Surry or Yadkin County
• Meat that has been boned out such that no pieces or fragments of bone remain
• Caped hides with no part of the skull or spinal column attached
• Antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, or skulls free from meat or brain tissue
• Cleaned lower jawbones with teeth or cleaned teeth
• Finished taxidermy products and tanned hides 

Temporary Rulemaking

Temporary rules are needed to replace the emergency powers invoked on April 12, 2022. Proposed rule language for these temporary rules is below and the public comment period is open with a public hearing scheduled on May 12, 2022.

Rule Text: 
15A NCAC 10B .0501
15A NCAC 10B .0502
15A NCAC 10B .0503
15A NCAC 10B .0504
15A NCAC 10B .0505

Public Hearing Information:
Date: May 12, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Headquarters - Auditorium (1751 Varsity Dr. Raleigh, NC)

For those unable to attend in person, join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:  

•   Register online here.
•   Join by phone toll free (833-568-8864  or +1 669 216 1590) using Webinar ID: 161 000 7539  

Submit a Comment: 

•   Online
• Email regulations@ncwildlife.org 
• Mail written comments to Rule-making Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701  

Return to main CWD page.