SPOKANE, WA – With hunting season approaching across the Northwest, wildlife officials in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon are urging hunters to review state regulations on the importation of harvested game animals.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) emphasized that each state has restrictions on which parts of deer, elk, moose, and caribou carcasses may be brought across state or provincial borders.
“These rules are in effect to help manage the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD),” said Hunter Westacott, WDFW’s CWD Surveillance Program Coordinator. “Many states and countries — not just those with confirmed CWD cases — have these rules.”
Idaho confirmed its first case of CWD in 2021, followed by Washington in 2024. New regulations were implemented in both states to slow the spread of the fatal neurological disease, which affects deer, elk, and moose. Oregon has not yet detected CWD and is aiming to keep it out of the state.
ODFW officials stressed that the human movement of carcasses poses a significant risk. “By following each state’s rules, we can reduce the risk of infectious carcass parts moving and spreading CWD,” said Ashley Reeder, ODFW’s CWD Coordinator.
Chronic wasting disease has been detected in 36 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. Hunters traveling out of state this fall are encouraged to review not only the rules of the state where they plan to hunt, but also any states they will pass through. Violations could result in confiscated game meat and fines.
“The ultimate goal is to slow, or prevent, the spread of CWD,” said Roger Phillips, IDFG Public Information Supervisor. “Managing the movement of carcasses can help, so hunters should take it seriously by knowing and abiding by each state’s transport rules.”
More information, including state-specific regulations and resources on chronic wasting disease, is available on the agencies’ websites:
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: wdfw.wa.gov
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game: idfg.idaho.gov/cwd
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: myodfw.com/CWD