Officials say the biggest message to hunters this season is, “Don’t give it a ride.” CWD spreads via infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer, or the movement of deer carcasses and carcass parts.

Aug. 23. A second deer in North Carolina has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, and the state is enlisting hunters to prevent spreading.

Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say the deer was tested as part of ongoing  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance efforts cooperating with farmers that have active depredation permits. The deer came from a farm less than one mile from where the first CWD-positive deer was harvested in Yadkin County in December 2021.

“With deer season opening in less than a month, we wanted to get the news of this second positive out as quickly as possible,” said Brad Howard, chief of the Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Management Division.

Officials say the biggest message to hunters this season is, “Don’t give it a ride.”

How CWD is spread

CWD spreads via infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer, or the movement of deer carcasses and carcass parts.

Since deer who are infected may appear healthy, it is important that precautions are taken when transporting or disposing of deer carcasses.

“CWD is highly transmissible. It’s imperative that if you hunt and harvest deer that you responsibly dispose of deer remains,” said Howard.

What hunters can do

Howard suggests hunters follow one of the following disposal methods:

—Bury the deer remains where you harvest the animal when possible.

—Double bag deer remains for disposal at the closest landfill.

—Leave the deer remains on the ground where the animal was harvested.

“It’s imperative that hunters understand how important it is to submit samples to help determine how prevalent CWD is here in North Carolina. It’s also crucial that we enlist their help to not give the disease a ride to new areas.”

A comprehensive overview of the special CWD regulations is online.

The archery hunting season for white-tailed deer opens across the state on Sept. 10. Black powder and firearms seasons will vary per region. The full season schedule is available at ncwildlife.org.