As Archery Deer Seasons Open Throughout California, Mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Testing Now Required in Four Hunt Zones

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:38:31 GMT

Archery deer seasons open throughout most of California on Saturday, Aug. 17, including in four hunt zones – D7, X9a, X9b and X9c – where successful hunters are required to test their animals for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) within 10 days of take.

In response to the recent CWD detections in Madera and Inyo counties, the California Fish and Game Commission recently adopted regulations requiring mandatory CWD testing in the affected hunt zones to better understand the extent of the current outbreak, to inform decision-makers and to help protect California’s deer and elk herds by limiting the spread of CWD.

“Hunters in California have always played a vital role in the conservation and health of our deer herds, and we need their help today more than ever to help manage CWD,” said Dr. Brandon Munk, senior wildlife veterinarian at CDFW. “We’re not only looking for hunters to comply with these sampling requirements in the four affected hunt zones, but we’re also asking all hunters to get their deer tested so we can better understand the magnitude of the outbreak we’re dealing with.”

Mandatory sampling applies to all deer tag holders hunting in the newly designated Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones, including those with A16, A17, A18, D7, G3, G39, J12, X9a, X9b or X9c deer tags.

Permissible CWD sampling methods include:

Bringing the deer, or just the head, to a California CWD sampling station or CDFW office (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station)

Bringing the deer head to a participating meat processor or taxidermist (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Meat-Processors-Taxidermists); or

Hunters may self-sample their deer and bring the retropharyngeal lymph nodes directly to a California CWD sampling station or CDFW office (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station)

CDFW offers a how-to-video, printable guide and data card for CWD sampling, data collection and self-sample submissions on its website (wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Collect-Submit-Samples).

Hunters in the mandatory sampling zones also are required to provide their name, GO ID, deer tag or document number and harvest location along with their samples.

Carcass Handling and Movement Guidance:

CDFW asks that California hunters follow best practices for safe carcass handling and movement within these hunt zones. Field dress and leave the internal organs and spinal column at the site the deer was taken. If self-sampling your harvest, remove the skullcap with antlers attached and leave the brain at the site of harvest. Otherwise, bring the intact head to a CDFW office or sampling station for CWD testing.

Checking Test Results for CWD:

To check test results for your deer, enter your document/tag number in the “Find Your CWD Testing Results” section of CDFW’s Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance web pages. Please understand it will take three to five weeks for testing to be completed and results posted.

Wildfires and Forest Restrictions:

Archery deer seasons in California often coincide with peak wildfire threats. Hunters are reminded to research the areas they intend to hunt ahead of time, including checking with the U.S. Forest Service for any restrictions and closures within California’s national forests. CDFW’s Emergency Closures web page provides information on CDFW lands and facilities that may be closed due to fire, construction or public health concerns.

Sierra Pacific Industries Closes Public Access to Private Forestlands:

Due to the increasing risk of wildfires, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) closed its California forestlands to public access as of June 28. SPI considers several wildfire risk factors when closing its lands, including increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, low moisture levels in fuels and long-range weather forecasts for the region. The closure will remain in effect until moisture levels and long-range weather forecasts improve. Use of SPI’s roads and walk-in access to the company’s privately owned lands for recreational purposes is prohibited. Public roads crossing SPI lands are not affected by the closure.

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / R3 Clearinghouse

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Media Contacts:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
Jen Benedet, CDFW Communications, (916) 903-9270

California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:30:10 GMT

At its October meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this month’s meeting held in San Jose and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted regulations to clarify inland sportfishing regulations, and regulations for mitigating risks for cervid importation and movement to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering California.

The Commission adopted emergency regulations to reduce harvest of white sturgeon for 2023-2024.

The Commission heard a presentation on the history of the Heritage and Wild Trout Program, after which they approved the proposed designated waters for 2023. This year’s waters include Fish and Sharktooth creeks in Fresno and Madera counties. Sharktooth Creek provides backcountry anglers with a rare opportunity to catch an out-of-basin Paiute cutthroat trout. Also added to the list were the Hilton Lakes complex in Mono County, which contains four different trout species in a sub-alpine setting.

The Commission voted unanimously to list Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Commission voted unanimously to list Inyo rock daisy as threatened under CESA.

The Commission recognized Daniel P. Connelly, Joseph Fleskes, Beth Huning and Albert Seeno Jr. as this year’s inductees into the California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame.

The Commission extended the existing emergency regulations for California halibut daily bag and possession limits.

Commission President Eric Sklar, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Samantha Murray participated from San Jose. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin participated from Trinidad. There is currently one vacancy on the Commission.

The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for December 13-14, 2023 in the San Diego area and via Zoom.

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Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.

CDFW News

As Archery Deer Seasons Open Throughout California, Mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Testing Now Required in Four Hunt Zones

California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting