CWD is transmissible to other deer and spreads through infected body fluids, namely saliva, urine and feces and the movement of infected deer carcasses and carcass parts. Deer may appear healthy during early stages of infection; therefore, NCWRC stresses to hunters the importance of taking precautions when transporting or disposing of deer carcasses; improper disposal may lead to moving CWD to new locations.

NCWRC advises those hunting in Edgecombe and surrounding counties to keep whole deer carcasses and high-risk carcass parts in the county of origin or take them to a processor or taxidermist participating in the NCWRC’s Cervid Health Cooperator Program for proper carcass dis-posal and test submission.

All hunters are encouraged to follow one of the following disposal methods for non-edible portions of carcasses not taken to a Cervid Health Cooperator:
• Bury deer remains where you harvest the animal when possible.
• Double-bag deer remains for disposal in a landfill.
• Leave the deer remains on the ground where the animal was harvested.  

Visit ncwildlife.gov/cwd for updates and to learn more about the agency’s management of CWD in North Carolina.