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Kentucky Fish And Wildlife Enacts New Hunting Restrictions To Prevent Spread Of Deer And Elk Disease

Posted at 8:44 PM, Dec 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-15 20:44:35-05

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife announced new hunting restrictions on Saturday in an effort to stop the spread of an infectious deer and elk disease.

Effective immediately, hunters are prohibited from bringing any deer from Tennessee into Kentucky unless the brain and spinal column have been removed first.

According to a news release from the department, the new rules are a part of an effort to stop the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Reportedly the disease has been detected in 10 white-tailed deer in Tennessee.

Fish and wildlife officials report that chronic wasting disease is a deadly infectious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and other members of the deer family. There is no known treatment or vaccine for the disease, which has been found in more than two dozen states and three Canadian provinces.

Deer parts that are allowed under this new restriction include quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, boned-out meat, antlers, antlers attached to a clean skull plate, a clean skull, clean teeth, hides and finished taxidermy works.

There is no evidence that suggests CWD is transmissible to people or livestock.