Hunters asked to review import rules

SPOKANE — With fall hunting seasons approaching across the northwest, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are reminding hunters to review each state’s rules regarding importation of harvested wildlife.

Each state has rules limiting what parts of deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses can be imported from other states or Canadian provinces.

“These rules are in effect to help manage the spread of chronic wasting disease,” said Hunter Westacott, WDFW’s CWD surveillance program coordinator, in a WDFW news release. “Many states and countries — not just those with confirmed CWD cases — have these rules.”

Idaho first confirmed the presence of CWD in 2021 and Washington in 2024. Since then, both states have adopted new rules to fight the spread of the fatal neurological disease that, if not managed, can severely impact deer, moose and elk populations.

CWD has been detected in 36 American states and five Canadian provinces, excluding Oregon.

“While natural animal movement is always a concern for disease spread, human movement is just as concerning, if not more, because of how far and often people travel,” said Ashley Reeder, ODFW’s CWD coordinator, in the news release. “By following each state’s rules, we can reduce the risk of infectious carcass parts moving and spreading CWD.”

Hunters planning to hunt outside their state of residence this fall should review the rules for the state or province they plan to hunt in or travel through, then prepare accordingly. This includes building time into travel or vacation plans to complete rule requirements.

Violations of the rules can lead to fines or imported game meat being confiscated.

WDFW, ODFW and IDFG all have information on CWD on their websites, www.wdfw. wa.gov, www.dfw.state.or.us and www.idfg. idaho.gov.

“The ultimate goal is to slow, or prevent, the spread of CWD,” said Roger Phillips, IDFG’s public information supervisor, in the news release. “Managing the movement of carcasses can help, so hunters should take it seriously by knowing and abiding by each state’s transport rules.”