Chronic Wasting Disease
CREDIT: Mike Hopper, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
The state may impose new restrictions for hunters disposing of deer and elk carcasses. Hunters would need to put the remains in a garbage container or drop them at a permitted landfill.
The Game, Fish and Parks Commission is considering the requirement to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. The disease is fatal for deer, elk and moose.
Wildlife program administrator Chad Switzer says the new rule would apply to any animal killed in the state, regardless of whether it comes from a county with chronic wasting disease or CWD.
“We want to implement regulations that are proactive. Right now, we are being very reactive to our regulations to reduce the spread of CWD. As new areas become detected or confirmed with CWD, we are constantly changing expectations on our hunters with the way our rules are currently written.”
Switzer says the rule also applies to taxidermists and meat processors.
The GFP commission wants public comment on the proposal before its April meeting. People can submit written statements online at South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (sd.gov).