CWD in Virginia – Information & Updates

UPDATE FEBRUARY 1, 2024: PLEASE NOTE THE PRESS RELEASE BELOW FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES REGARDING A NEW TEST POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN CARROLL COUNTY IN 2023!

UPDATE MARCH 8, 2022: PLEASE NOTE THE PRESS RELEASE BELOW FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES REGARDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE!

This press release provides updated information in detections of CWD within DMA areas 1, 2, and 3 as well as a new detection in Floyd County. Hunters, PLEASE continue to educate yourselves about the regulations and best management practices that will assist in helping to try and contain the spread of CWD here in Virginia! We all have a roll and responsibility in managing this incurable disease affecting our whitetail deer populations!

NOTE: Hunters for the Hungry, with the support of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is accepting and testing deer in many test positive counties per the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. We are not accepting deer harvested in FREDERICK County. Please visit www.dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/ or click on our tab CWD Info. / Press Releases / Publications!

ATTENTION ALL HUNTERS!!!!!

Please make yourself familiar with all rules, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to CWD! We MUST ALL work together and comply with the regulations and recommendations by the Virginia Department of WIldlife Resources to help stop the spread of this incurable disease! Please note below a map denoting the 3 Disease Management Areas in Virginia and the rules for transporting carcasses within, between, and outside DMA’s. Click on the link below for all CWD-related information regarding CWD here in Virginia OR see pages 6, 43, 44, and 45 of the Hunting & Trapping Guide in Virginia publication.

www.dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/

Disease Management Areas of Virginia as of 2024

CWD UPDATE AS OF MAY 12, 2021 – NEW

DETECTION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE BELOW THE CWD SUMMARY PRESS RELEASE FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES – APRIL 9, 2021

UPDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 2021,

AT THIS TIME DURING THE LATE SEASON IN NOVA HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY IS NOT ACCEPTING DEER HARVESTED IN LOUDOUN COUNTY WHICH IS LOCATED IN DMA 2 AS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES. The program is currently working to see if a change can be made to this status. We apologize for the inconvenience to the hunters who desire to support our feeding efforts during this late season period.

Additionally, as a result of a NEW test positive for CWD in RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY Hunters for the Hungry will not be accepting deer harvested in Rappahannock County!

SEE ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW:

As a result of the Department of Wildlife Resources’ (DWR) 2020 – 2021 chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance efforts, CWD was detected for the first time in Rappahannock County. The affected adult buck was harvested during the latter half of the regular firearms season. DWR is grateful to all cooperating hunters, processors, and taxidermists for their continued support of DWR’s efforts to monitor the deer population for CWD and prevent the spread of the disease. DWR cannot fight this disease alone! A summary of DWR’s 2020 – 2021 CWD surveillance and monitoring efforts will be released later this winter. Additional information about CWD, can be found on the DWR website at:

https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/

ATTENTION ALL HUNTERS!!!

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT INFORMATIONAL LETTER FROM MEGAN KIRCHGESSNER, VIRGINIA STATE WILDLIFE VETERINARIAN WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES THAT ALL HUNTERS SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF WITH REGARDS TO CWD HERE IN VIRGINIA!

CWD – BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Reducing the Risk of CWD Transmission and Contamination