Precautions for Hunters

Infectious prions concentrate in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, lymph nodes and spleen. They are shed in saliva, urine, blood, soft-antler material, feces, and from decomposing infected animals. Proper disposal of carcass parts is important to prevent contamination and spread of this disease. Leave these inedible parts at the site of harvest, or preferably, dispose of them in a landfill, or bury them at least 3-feet deep on the property of harvest in any CWD Zone.

Use common sense precautions while handling and processing any species susceptible to CWD. Never eat meat from an animal that appears sickly. Never eat brain, eyeballs, spinal cord, spleen, or lymph nodes from CWD-susceptible species. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports no strong evidence that CWD can infect humans; however, CDC recommends that hunters consider testing CWD-susceptible species harvested in CWD Zones before consumption.