CWD Surveillance Areas and Special Regulations

Special Regulations

Mandatory testing: Hunters who harvest a deer in CWD Surveillance Areas during these dates must submit a sample from the deer for CWD testing no later than two weeks following the date of harvest.

Surveillance Area 1: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties

November 23 – November 25, 2024

Surveillance Area 2: Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson Counties

November 16 – November 23, 2024

 

*During all other times, CWD testing is voluntary and highly encouraged.

Use of Natural Deer Attractants/Scents: No person shall possess or use any substance or material that contains or is labeled as containing any excretion collected from a cervid, including feces, urine, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluid for the purposes of taking or attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife in a primary or secondary surveillance area. Natural substances collected by a hunter from a cervid legally harvested in North Carolina may NOT be used or possessed in these areas. This prohibition shall not apply to the following substances:

  • Synthetic products that are labeled as such.
  • Natural deer urine and other substances collected from a facility in North Carolina with a valid Farmed Cervid License from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and identified/labeled as such.
  • Products labeled as participating in the Responsible Hunting Scent Association’s Deer Protection Program.

15A NCAC 10B .0503 (PDF)

Don't Give It A Ride!

Carcass Transport Restrictions: The transportation of a deer carcass or carcass parts out of a primary or secondary surveillance area is prohibited except for the following, or as otherwise permitted by the Wildlife Commission:

  • Carcasses or carcass parts that originate in a secondary surveillance area may be transported into or through an adjacent primary surveillance area.
  • Carcasses or carcass parts that originate in a non-surveillance area county may be transported into or through a primary or secondary surveillance area.
  • Meat that has been boned out such that no pieces or fragments of bone remain.
  • Caped hides with no part of the skull or spinal column attached.
  • Antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, or skulls free from meat or brain tissue.
  • Cleaned lower jawbones with teeth or cleaned teeth.
  • Finished taxidermy products and tanned hides.

Wildlife Feeding: The placement of minerals or salt to purposely congregate wildlife is prohibited in primary and secondary surveillance areas.  The placement of bait, food, or food products to purposefully congregate wildlife is prohibited from Jan. 2 – Aug. 31 in primary and secondary surveillance areas, except for:

  • Bird feeders
  • Hunting in urban archery seasons in participating municipalities
  • Other activities specifically permitted by the Wildlife Commission

*NOTE: Baiting deer is legal in Surveillance Areas from Sept. 1–Jan. 1.

Carcass Disposal: It is the hunter’s responsibility to dispose of deer carcasses after harvest in a safe and responsible manner. Follow deer carcass transportation rules and never dispose of carcasses in water, on roadsides, in waterways, or on other’s property without permission. Also, never transport carcass parts and then discard on the ground. Instead, responsibly dispose of carcasses by burying on the property where harvested, in a landfill, or leave on the ground at the harvest site. 
 

Fawn Rehabilitation: All fawn rehabilitation within primary and secondary surveillance areas is prohibited. Fawns may not be transported out of surveillance areas and cannot be accepted by fawn rehabilitators.

Disposal of Deer Harvested within North Carolina - 2-page handout

Hunter Requirements in CWD Surveillance Areas - 2-page handout

(CWDMAP) Chronic Wasting Disease Management Assistance Program

This voluntary program provides hunters with additional deer tags to assist with management and surveillance of CWD on properties within a Primary Surveillance Area or within 5 miles of a CWD positive. Individuals or entities who own, lease, or control exclusive hunting rights on the property may apply. There are no acreage limits for application.