Arizona’s deer and elk populations are currently CWD-free and wildlife officials want to keep it that way. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to continue doing their part to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk, at bay.
All successful deer and elk hunters are encouraged to bring the head of their harvested animal, especially bucks and bulls, to any department office statewide between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The preferred method for delivery is to place the head in a heavy-duty plastic trash bag, and keep it cool and out of the sun.
The department also requests hunters to provide accurate hunter information (name, telephone number), as well as hunt information (hunt number, game management unit in which the animal was harvested, state and hunting license number). This information is crucial should a positive CWD sample occur.
All hunters are asked to contact the department at 1-(800)-352-0700 if they see or harvest an animal that appears to be sick.
Find more info here.
Contact your state fish and game agency to learn about CWD-related rules where you hunt.
(Photo source: Jared Debruler)