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Two counties now affected by CWD transport rules

Two counties now affected by CWD transport rules

By West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

Two eastern panhandle counties have been added to three that already have restrictions on the disposal and transport of deer carcasses. The rule, designed to combat the spread of chronic wasting disease, became effective July 1.

Berkeley and Mineral counties have been added to Hampshire, Hardy and Morgan counties as areas where restrictions apply.

Current research indicates that the abnormal protein which causes CWD, a prion, is concentrated in the spinal cord and brain of infected deer. As a result, certain carcass parts have the potential to spread the disease.

“As part of our agency’s ongoing efforts to detect the presence of CWD and focus on disease management actions, a larger portion of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle has been added to the current area where restrictions apply,” said Stephen McDaniel, DNR director.

This expansion is in response to the detection of CWD in two road-killed deer in Berkeley County and one sick deer in Mineral County. Since 2005, CWD has been detected in 340 deer in Hampshire County, six deer in Hardy County, two deer in Berkeley County, and one deer in Mineral County.

Hunters are reminded that dead deer or their parts may not be transported beyond the boundary of Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Morgan counties. Exceptions include meat that has been boned out, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, cleaned hide with no head attached, clean skull plate (no meat or tissue attached) with antlers attached, antlers with no meat or tissue attached, and finished taxidermy mounts.

Hunters may transport deer carcasses not killed inside the containment area through the containment area.

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