Bladen County, North Carolina – Hunters in select areas of North Carolina are subject to special regulations and mandatory testing as part of the state’s efforts to monitor and control Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer populations. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission has introduced these measures to ensure the health of the state’s deer population and to prevent the spread of this contagious neurological disease.
Mandatory Testing: Hunters who harvest a deer in Surveillance Areas during specified dates must submit a sample from the deer for CWD testing no later than two weeks following the harvest. Here are the designated Surveillance Areas and their respective testing periods:
- Surveillance Area 1: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties
- Testing Period: November 18th – December 3rd, 2023
- Surveillance Area 2: Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson Counties
- Testing Period: November 11th – November 26th, 2023
During all other times, CWD testing is voluntary and highly encouraged.
Use of Natural Deer Attractants/Scents: Hunters are prohibited from possessing or using substances or materials containing cervid excretions, including feces, urine, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluids for hunting, attracting, or scouting wildlife in primary or secondary surveillance areas. However, some exceptions apply, including synthetic products labeled as such, natural deer urine and substances collected from licensed facilities in North Carolina, and products participating in the Responsible Hunting Scent Association’s Deer Protection Program.
Carcass Transport Restrictions: The transportation of deer carcasses or carcass parts out of primary or secondary surveillance areas is generally prohibited. Exceptions include carcasses from secondary surveillance areas entering adjacent primary surveillance areas, carcasses from non-surveillance area counties entering primary or secondary surveillance areas, boned-out meat, caped hides, antlers, cleaned lower jawbones with teeth, finished taxidermy products, and tanned hides.
Wildlife Feeding: In primary and secondary surveillance areas, the placement of minerals, salt, or bait to congregate wildlife is prohibited, except for specific activities such as bird feeders and hunting in urban archery seasons in participating municipalities. Baiting deer is legal in Surveillance Areas from September 1st to January 1st.
Carcass Disposal: Hunters are responsible for disposing of deer carcasses safely and responsibly. Carcasses should not be discarded in water, on roadsides, in waterways, or on others’ property without permission. Options for disposal include burying on the property where harvested, using landfills, or leaving carcasses on the ground at the harvest site.
Fawn Rehabilitation: All fawn rehabilitation is prohibited within primary and secondary surveillance areas. Fawns may not be transported out of these areas and cannot be accepted by fawn rehabilitators.
CWDMAP (Chronic Wasting Disease Management Assistance Program): This voluntary program provides hunters with additional deer tags to aid in managing and monitoring CWD on properties within a Primary Surveillance Area or within 5 miles of a CWD positive area. Individuals or entities with exclusive hunting rights on such properties may apply. There are no acreage limits for application. For more information, visit the CWDMAP page to learn about this program.
These regulations and testing requirements are essential steps in North Carolina’s ongoing efforts to monitor and manage Chronic Wasting Disease. Hunters are encouraged to stay informed and compliant with these measures to support the state’s commitment to the health and sustainability of its deer population.
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