CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia wildlife officials are proposing new regulations to slow the spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease, with changes that could affect how hunters, landowners, and even backyard wildlife enthusiasts feed wildlife and transport harvested deer.
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through July 27 on proposed amendments to its Wildlife Disease Management rule, which governs the state’s response to contagious diseases affecting wild animals.
The proposed changes would expand and clarify definitions of feeding and baiting wildlife, update restrictions on transporting deer carcasses from disease containment areas, and give state officials additional flexibility to respond to future wildlife disease outbreaks.
Hunters preparing for the upcoming season should also review West Virginia’s 2026–27 hunting regulations, which outline this year’s season dates, licensing requirements, and other statewide hunting rules. The proposed changes to wildlife disease regulations would, if approved, supplement those regulations.
Why the changes matter
Wildlife diseases have become an increasing concern across North America, particularly chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological illness that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer and elk.
Scientists believe the disease spreads more easily where deer congregate around food sources, making feeding and baiting restrictions an important tool to slow transmission.
The proposed rule would broaden the definition of “feeding” to include placing natural or artificial foods, minerals, or other attractants that draw wildlife together. Likewise, the definition of “baiting” would apply not only to hunting but also to the placement of edible attractants that lure wildlife for viewing or other purposes. Food plots, standing crops, and naturally fallen fruit would continue to be exempt.
Carcass restrictions would remain an important tool
The proposal also updates rules governing the movement of harvested deer from chronic wasting disease containment areas.
Under the regulations, hunters may generally transport only boned-out meat, cleaned hides, cleaned skull plates with antlers attached, antlers free of tissue, and finished taxidermy mounts outside designated containment areas. These restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of moving infectious material into new regions.
The proposed rule would also authorize the division to impose carcass movement restrictions if other significant wildlife diseases—including avian influenza, bovine tuberculosis, or emerging animal diseases—pose threats to wildlife, livestock, or public health.
Bird feeders could be affected in some areas
The proposal also clarifies that bird feeding may continue within disease containment areas, provided feeders do not attract deer or other wildlife.
Birdseed should not be placed directly on the ground where deer can easily reach it, and bird or squirrel feeders may need to be removed if they attract wildlife other than songbirds or squirrels.
Containment areas are reviewed annually
The proposed amendments would require the Division of Natural Resources to review disease containment areas at least once a year, using the latest available scientific information. Any changes would be reported annually in the West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, making it easier for hunters to identify where restrictions are in effect.
The proposal also adds definitions for emerging and foreign animal diseases, giving the agency greater flexibility to respond if new wildlife diseases appear in West Virginia.
What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. It is caused not by a virus or bacterium but by abnormal proteins called prions, which gradually damage the brain and nervous system.
Infected animals may appear healthy for months or even years before developing symptoms such as severe weight loss, drooping ears, excessive salivation, lack of coordination, and unusual behavior. There is no known treatment or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal.
The disease spreads through direct contact between infected animals and through contaminated saliva, urine, feces, and carcasses. Prions can also persist in soil and the environment for years, making chronic wasting disease particularly difficult to control once it becomes established.
Wildlife agencies across North America have responded by increasing surveillance, restricting the movement of deer carcasses, and discouraging practices such as feeding and baiting that cause deer to congregate in unnaturally high numbers, where diseases can spread more easily.
Although there is currently no evidence that chronic wasting disease infects humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that hunters avoid consuming meat from animals that test positive for the disease.
Wildlife officials encourage hunters in affected areas to have harvested deer tested when testing is available and to follow state regulations regarding carcass disposal and transportation to help slow the disease’s spread.
How to comment
The proposed Wildlife Disease Management rule is available for public review through the Secretary of State’s pending rules process.
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will accept written comments by July 27 via email at DNRComments@wv.gov or by mail to:
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Attn: Wendy Greene
112 California Avenue
Charleston, WV 25305
Additional information on hunting, fishing, and boating regulations is available from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.