Special Chronic Wasting Disease Rules
CWD Management Zone Rules (GMUs 14 and 18, and a portion of Unit 1)
- CWD testing of all hunter-harvested mule deer and white-tailed deer from GMUs 14 and 18, and a portion of Unit 1 (portion of Boundary County east of the Selkirk Mountains crest) is mandatory.
- It is unlawful to transport any carcass or part of a deer, elk, or moose (including salvaged animals) out of GMUs 14, 18 and a portion of Unit 1 (portion of Boundary County east of the Selkirk Mountains crest), except for:
- Heads or lymph nodes transported to IDFG for CWD sampling. Antlers or skull caps may be retained after sampling by IDFG staff, but the remainder of the head will remain with IDFG staff for proper disposal.
- Carcass parts listed as exceptions in the Carcass Transport section below.
- Heads should remain in the field if lymph nodes are removed for delivery to IDFG for CWD testing.
- Caped animals (with the skull) may be taken to a taxidermist or meat processor but may not leave GMUs 14, 18, and a portion of Unit 1 (portion of Boundary County east of the Selkirk Mountains crest) must still be presented to IDFG staff for sampling.
- Heads or lymph nodes must be submitted within 10 days of harvest.
- If hunters or those who salvaged an animal retain the quarters, they should double-bag all bones and nonedible portions of the animal and dispose of them in a landfill when finished processing the meat.
- It is unlawful to feed deer and elk in designated CWD management zones.
GMUs outside of the CWD Management Zone with mandatory CWD testing for deer (GMUs 23, 24, and 32A)
- Beginning with the 2024 hunting season, CWD testing of all hunter-harvested mule deer and white-tailed deer from GMUs 23, 24, and 32A is mandatory.
- Heads or lymph nodes must be submitted within 10 days of harvest.
- GMUs 23, 24, and 32A are not currently part of a CWD Management Zone and the other rules associated with a CWD Management Zone do not apply in these GMUs.
Carcass transport
- Whole carcasses of harvested or salvaged deer, elk, and moose may not be transported out of a CWD Management Zone.
- Animals should be quartered with spine left in the field (tail and evidence of sex attached to quarters). Head should remain in the field if lymph nodes have been removed for CWD testing.
- It is illegal to possess or transport a full carcass or any part of a deer, elk, or moose taken from GMUs 14, 18, and a portion of 1 (portion of Boundary County east of the Selkirk Mountains crest) in any part of the state outside of these GMUs except for the following exceptions for meat and some other parts:
- Head or lymph nodes to take to IDFG for sampling.
- Meat that is cut and wrapped
- Quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue
- Edible organs that do not include brains
- Hides without heads
- Upper canine teeth (ivories)
- Finished taxidermy
- Dried antlers
- Cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps
- Skull caps that do not include brain or spinal tissue
- Domestic cervids
Related Information
Sampling Instructions
Hunters can retrieve lymph nodes from their harvested animal and submit them for CWD testing. Learn how to collect a lymph node sample and age your animal.
Sample Drop-off Locations
After harvesting a deer, elk, or moose, submitting a lymph node sample or head for CWD testing is easy. See a list of drop-off sites, check stations, and Idaho Fish and Game regional offices.
Test Results Look-up
If you submit a sample for CWD testing at a drop-off location, check station, or Idaho Fish and Game office, you can check the test results. Allow up to 4-6 weeks for results.
