Chronic Wasting Disease testing is required in four California hunt zones. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Archery deer seasons opened throughout most of California on Saturday, Aug. 17, including in four hunt zones – D7, X9a, X9b and X9c – where successful hunters are required to test their animals for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) within 10 days of take.

In response to the recent Chronic Wasting Disease detections in Madera and Inyo counties, the California Fish and Game Commission recently adopted regulations requiring mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease testing in the affected hunt zones to better understand the extent of the current outbreak, to inform decision-makers and to help protect California’s deer and elk herds by limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

“Hunters in California have always played a vital role in the conservation and health of our deer herds, and we need their help today more than ever to help manage CWD,” said Dr. Brandon Munk, senior wildlife veterinarian at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

“We’re not only looking for hunters to comply with these sampling requirements in the four affected hunt zones, but we’re also asking all hunters to get their deer tested so we can better understand the magnitude of the outbreak we’re dealing with.”

Mandatory sampling applies to all deer tag holders hunting in the newly designated Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones, including those with A16, A17, A18, D7, G3, G39, J12, X9a, X9b or X9c deer tags.

Permissible Chronic Wasting Disease sampling methods include:

Bringing the deer, or just the head, to a California Chronic Wasting Disease sampling station or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife office (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station), bringing the deer head to a participating meat processor or taxidermist (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Meat-Processors-Taxidermists); or hunters may self-sample their deer and bring the retropharyngeal lymph nodes directly to a California Chronic Wasting Disease sampling station or CDFW office (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station).

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a how-to-video, printable guide and data card for Chronic Wasting Disease sampling, data collection and self-sample submissions on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Collect-Submit-Samples).

Hunters in the mandatory sampling zones also are required to provide their name, GO ID, deer tag or document number and harvest location along with their samples.

Carcass Handling and Movement Guidance

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife asks that California hunters follow best practices for safe carcass handling and movement within these hunt zones. Field dress and leave the internal organs and spinal column at the site the deer was taken. If self-sampling your harvest, remove the skullcap with antlers attached and leave the brain at the site of harvest. Otherwise, bring the intact head to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife office or sampling station for Chronic Wasting Disease testing.

Checking Test Results for Chronic Wasting Disease

To check test results for your deer, enter your document/tag number in the “Find Your CWD Testing Results” section of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance web pages. Please understand it will take three to five weeks for testing to be completed and results posted.

Wildfires and Forest Restrictions

Archery deer seasons in California often coincide with peak wildfire threats. Hunters are reminded to research the areas they intend to hunt ahead of time, including checking with the U.S. Forest Service for any restrictions and closures within California’s national forests. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Emergency Closures web page provides information on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife lands and facilities that may be closed due to fire, construction or public health concerns.

Sierra Pacific Industries Closes Public Access to Private Forestlands

Due to the increasing risk of wildfires, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) closed its California forestlands to public access as of June 28. SPI considers several wildfire risk factors when closing its lands, including increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, low moisture levels in fuels and long-range weather forecasts for the region. The closure will remain in effect until moisture levels and long-range weather forecasts improve. Use of SPI’s roads and walk-in access to the company’s privately owned lands for recreational purposes is prohibited. Public roads crossing SPI lands are not affected by the closure.