Cervid Carcass Importation Regulations FAQ

Since 2005, a state regulation (4VAC15-90-293) has prohibited the importation or possession of whole deer carcasses or specified parts of carcasses originating from a state or Canadian province in which Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in free-ranging or captive deer.

For more information, please review this page of Frequently Asked Questions and the following resources:

Why has the Department prohibited the importation of deer and elk carcasses into Virginia from states with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?

CWD is an unusual disease most likely caused by abnormal proteins called prions. These prions remain infective even after the deer dies. Recent research suggests that certain minerals increase the infectivity of CWD prions in the soil. Consequently, bringing infected carcasses and certain tissues could introduce the disease into Virginia.

What can I bring in?

You can bring in the following body parts:

  1. boned-out meat that is cut and wrapped,
  2. quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or skull attached,
  3. hides or capes with no skull attached,
  4. clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached,
  5. antlers (with no meat or tissue attached),
  6. upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, or ivories), and
  7. finished taxidermy products.

What can I not bring in?

Everything else! Whole carcasses cannot be brought in as well as skull, spinal cord, organs, trimmings and other waste.

I live in West Virginia and hunt in West Virginia but must pass through a portion of Virginia to and from my hunting spot. Can I bring a legally harvested and checked deer carcass from my camp through Virginia on my way home?

Yes, you can. We understand there are many roads that cut across parts of Virginia and are the only means of access to and from a hunting area in West Virginia. If you kill a deer in West Virginia but must pass through a part of Virginia to get back to your home in West Virginia, you may do so as long as the deer is properly tagged and marked and the carcass or parts are at no time or in any manner deposited in Virginia or taken to any domicile, taxidermist, or meat processor in Virginia.

The importation regulation was established to set restrictions on what a Virginia hunter could bring back to their home state of Virginia after hunting in a state that has been identified as having CWD positive populations.

What states have CWD?

This regulation only prohibits deer carcasses and certain carcass parts from states and provinces with CWD. All other states are not impacted by this regulation. States and provinces currently with CWD include Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Do you realize the impact this has on many Virginians?

We are aware that this regulation will potentially impact taxidermists and meat processors as well as others. We regret this, and we ask for everyone's patience and understanding. However, we believe this is the safest course of action to take that will reduce the risk for the introduction of CWD into Virginia. The consequences of CWD being introduced into Virginia would be far more detrimental than the consequences of this regulation. We are in communication with various groups to address concerns and answer questions.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Call the Department office nearest to you. Offices are located in Richmond (804) 367-1000, Blacksburg (540) 961-8304, Farmville (434) 392-9645, Fredericksburg (540) 899-4169, Lynchburg (434) 525-7522, Marion (276) 783-4860, Verona (540) 248-9360, and Charles City (804) 829-6580.