As many of you know by now Texas and Arkansas both are having an all out war against CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) in their native deer herd. With this serious disease so close to home the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is taking no chances with our deer. Previous laws adopted by the department have already banned the import and export of live deer across state lines. Today's news shows they're taking it a step further. Per my phone conversation with Johnathan Bordelon, this will include, "The removal of all bones from the meat, and the removal of the brain and other tissue from the skull intended for taxidermy." This may seem like an inconvenience at first but our department of WLF realizes the value of our deer heard and are taking precautionary steps to prevent/ slow down the spread of CWD. Those of us that travel to the Midwest or simply live near the boarder will want to watch this closely.
From DWF News Release:
July 7, 2016 – The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a notice of intent to establish rules and regulations on the importation of cervid carcasses into the state during its July meeting Thursday in Baton Rouge.
The NOI would prohibit the importation of cervid carcasses except for deboned meat, antlers, clean skull plates with antlers, cleaned skulls without tissue attached, capes, tanned hides, finished taxidermy mounts and cleaned cervid teeth.
Cervids listed in the NOI include, but are not limited to, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou, fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, red deer and reindeer.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon said this regulation would be an additional effort aimed at preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD has not been found in Louisiana, though Texas and Arkansas have recently reported cases of it. It has been documented in 24 states and two Canadian provinces.
“This will serve as another tool to limit the spread of CWD and other wildlife diseases,’’ Bordelon said. “Louisiana would become the 37th state with rules and regulations governing cervid carcass importation.’’
To view the full notice of intent, please visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/action-items.
Public comment can be submitted in writing by mail to: Johnathan Bordelon, LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, or via email to jbordelon@wlf.la.gov until 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2016.